Expect the unexpected at the December 10 Fashion Awards in London. Why? Britain’s leading lady of punk Vivienne Westwood will receive the Swarovski Award for Positive Change for her climate-change activism (and, we’d like to think, for being an all-round maverick in the fashion realm).
While you’ll have to wait until the fashion world gathers on Monday to see exactly what happens when Westwood takes the stage, a dozen of her friends, collaborators and muses have sent Vogue songs of her praises. Long live Dame Viv!
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Kim Kardashian West, who wore Vivienne Westwood to the 2018 Met Gala:
“It’s been an honor to wear Vivienne Westwood over the years; I love wearing her dresses because she really knows how to sculpt the shape of a woman’s body, and I always feel confident wearing one of her designs. She’s made such a contribution to the fashion community, and I wish her congratulations on this acknowledgement.”
Kate Moss, model in many of Westwood’s earliest shows:
“Vivienne uses her creativity to bring awareness to important global issues. I admire her tenacity – she’s such an inspiration.”
Pamela Anderson, friend and Vivienne Westwood campaign star:
“Vivienne has moved mountains with her work as an activist. It’s hard to keep up with her. She is a mentor and dear friend. She and Andreas [Kronthaler, Westwood’s husband] are always supportive and encourage me to keep fighting and using my voice. I think we all need to listen to Vivienne more; of course her clothes are a fairy tale in themselves – but now we must create our own myth. Time is running out. She is straight as an arrow. There are no minced words. We are always trying to find ways to reach people’s imaginations and hearts, and spring people into action. Everything about Vivienne is everything I want to be be. She is a warrior.”
Helena Christensen, model on many Vivienne Westwood runways:
“One of life’s true warriors, her indomitable approach to her work, life, and causes is simply addictive and inspirational. Vivienne is never afraid to challenge and is lionhearted in everything she does. In today’s world she’s an essential part of the movement needed to question and effect change.”
Rose McGowan, fellow activist, environmentalist and friend:
“Vivienne is an inspiration, a controversial creative who’s never shied away from doing what’s right. From designing as she wants to and living as she wants to, her nonconformist spirit is something we can all be inspired by.”
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Charles Jeffrey, spiritual successor to Westwood’s send-ups of British culture:
“Vivienne Westwood is not only one of the reasons I became a fashion designer but a reason I stay a fashion designer. Her tenacity and beguiling loyalty to what she stands for is continuously inspiring and hard not to love. The way she has used culture and the past to form present creative gestures is a strong reminder that time doesn’t have to be viewed as linear. For me, she’s a regular touchpoint to remind myself of the responsibility we have to the wider creative community, as well as to the planet. Thank you, Vivienne, for existing!”
Bella Freud, friend and former employee and model:
“Vivienne has never tried to please. Often her ideas would be misunderstood, only later recognised as groundbreaking and pioneering. Her example reminds me of Alexander the Great, slicing through the knot with a sword instead of messing about trying to unpick it. She is fearless—if anyone can make a difference to our world, it is Vivienne Westwood.”
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Jerry Hall, wore Westwood to her 2017 wedding:
“From my personal experience Vivienne Westwood is the best fashion designer in the world. Her clothes are so timeless as to be the most eco-friendly, as they never go out of style. Being historical in the first place, they always fit even as you grow, and they look even more Vivienne Westwood after years of wear, a few moth holes, and even fire! She is a genius! I love her.”
Juergen Teller, photographer of Westwood’s campaigns:
“Vivienne is an outstanding personality, has made a huge impact with what she has achieved within her fashion work, and is seriously concerned with what is happening to our planet. Her activism to raise awareness is extremely important, necessary, and admirable.”
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Nadja Swarovski, force behind the Swarovski Award for Positive Change:
“The Swarovski Award for Positive Change forms part of Swarovski’s wider efforts to promote a more sustainable future. Dame Vivienne Westwood has made an indelible mark on global fashion, and we are delighted to celebrate her inspirational creativity, lifelong advocacy of environmental causes, and promotion of ethical fashion, which have had an enduring and profound effect on the industry.”
This article was originally published on Vogue.com
