The fashion world has lost an icon (Picture: Francois Durand/Getty Images)
Victoria Beckham and Boy George are among the stars paying tribute to the late, great Dame Vivienne Westwood following her death aged 81.
On Thursday, it was announced that the celebrated fashion designer had died, with the statement confirming the news released by her representatives.
The announcement said that she died ‘peacefully’ surrounded by her family in Clapham, South London.
Her husband and creative partner Andreas Kronthaler said: ‘I will continue with Vivienne in my heart. We have been working until the end and she has given me plenty of things to get on with. Thank you darling.’
Former Spice Girls star turned fashion designer Victoria said in her tribute: ‘I’m so sad to learn of the passing of legendary designer and activist Dame Vivienne Westwood. My thoughts are with her family at this incredibly sad time VB.’
Culture Club singer and fashion muse Boy George added: ‘R.I.P to the great and inspiring Vivienne Westwood who lead us through punk and beyond.
‘Laughed at by the fashion industry but without question she is the undisputed Queen of British fashion. I love you! Oh bondage up yours!’
TV presenter Jonathan Ross tweeted: ‘RIP the great Vivienne Westwood. Unique. Brilliant. Uncompromising. Thanks Viv x.’
Singer Billy Idol, who first found fame on the London punk rock music scene, tweeted: ‘RIP it will take me a bit to take this in…’
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne wrote: ‘Vivienne Westwood is the woman that showed me I could do anything, I could wear what I wanted, she was an ICON and I lived my life through hers in some sorts of way. There will never be another, but we’ll continue your fight.’
West Side Story star Rachel Zegler shared several photos of her wearing one of Dame Vivienne’s designs, as she penned: ‘vivienne westwood forever.’
‘Vivienne Westwood was a creative icon who helped cement the UK at the very forefront of modern fashion. My thoughts are with her family and friends,’ said London Mayor Khan.
Dame Vivienne was known for her bold, punk designs (Picture: Michael Putland/Getty Images)
Victoria Beckham said she was ‘so sad’ to hear the news of Dame Vivienne’s death (Picture: GC Images)
Boy George hailed Dame Vivienne as the ‘undisputed Queen of British fashion’ (Picture: Rex Features)
Fashion designer Marc Jacobs said he was ‘heartbroken’, and acknowledged that Dame Vivienne ‘always did it first’.
‘Incredible style with brilliant and meaningful substance,’ he began.
‘I continue to learn from your words, and, all of your extraordinary creations. I will always remember the night we bonded over our mutual love for Yves Saint Laurent.
‘You never failed to surprise and to shock. I am grateful for the moments I got to share with you and Andreas.’
Jacobs concluded: ‘Rest in Peace dear Vivienne, although, somehow peace seems like the wrong word.
‘My deepest sympathies to Andreas and your family.’
Actress Lisa Riley paid homage to the iconic designer by tweeting: ‘Queen Vivienne Westwood…..you will light up heaven with your endless energy, you will never be forgotten….uniqueness at its all time BEST!!! Rest In Peace 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💛💛💛 Be yourself even in heaven.’
Former professional footballer Trevor Sinclair wrote: ‘Sad to hear Vivienne Westwood has passed 🙏🏾 condolences to her family 💔 such a talented designer, northerner & supporter of the working class ✊🏾 RIP.’
Metro.co.uk Editor Deborah Arthurs, who met Vivienne Westwood many times while reporting on fashion shows, recalls Vivienne Westwood as an unrivalled talent and a character beyond compare.
In 2021, she joined protestesr holding a picnic for Julian Assange’s 50th birthday (Picture: Ki Price/Getty Images)
She said: ‘Attending her shows, parties and events was always a thrill – so creative, exciting. You could always just sense something unexpected was about to happen (just as unexpected as it was when she would pedal past you on her bike at Clapham Common, her flame hair flying out behind her).
‘Attempting to interview her after those shows was no mean feat. Formidable and occasionally fearsome, she held journalists to account just as she did anyone else.
‘Anyone who asked her a foolish or predictable question would be met with a withering look. The other side of the coin was her fiery, passionate enthusiasm for her trade and the industry she loved.’
Musician Spider Stacy of The Pogues tweeted: ‘No words. RIP Video Vivienne Westwood,’ while singer Maggie Rogers tweeted: ‘forever legend. RIP.’
The designer was a pioneer in her field (Picture: Mike Marsland/WireImage)
The UK’s Design Council tweeted: ‘We are saddened to hear of the passing of the queen of punk fashion,’ before quoting Dame Vivienne by adding: ‘Buy less, choose well: that’s the maxim. Quality not quantity. That’s the most environmentally friendly thing you can do.’
The V&A Museum in London also wrote: ‘We are saddened to learn about the passing of legendary designer Vivienne Westwood. A true revolutionary and rebellious force in fashion.’
Dame Vivienne’s bold and standout designs brought punk and new wave into the mainstream, with celebrities who commissioned her designs over the years including Dita Von Teese and Princess Beatrice.
In 2008, her design for Carrie Bradshaw’s wedding dress became a focal point of the Sex And The City movie.
Dame Vivienne had two children – son Ben Westwood, 59, with photographer Derek Westwood, and son Joseph Corré, 55, with Malcolm McLaren.
She married Kronthaler, her former fashion student, in 1992.
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MORE : Fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood dies ‘peacefully’ aged 81
The fashion world has lost an icon.
