Vivienne Westwood, the Queen of Punk and partner in crime of the anti-fashion music movement of 1971, has now released an album to celebrate 37 years of the catwalk, here at London Fashion Week 2008.
I was fortunate enough to be invited to the launch party at Selfridges in London, where Vivienne revealed the other important aspects to putting on a good show when it comes to fashion.
‘I don’t listen to much music, or watch any TV very much, clothes is the best I can do out of everything that’s important. However, the music is more important than the clothes, in fact if you don’t get the lighting right or the music right, people don’t understand it, people don’t have a good time’. Unless you get them drunk!
This attitude was clearly adopted by Vivienne when she first partnered with Malcom McLaren in 1971. The anti-fashion counter culture that they inspired, and drove from the streets up, was to give birth to legends like the Sex Pistols and visibly gave a sense of belonging to a rebellious nation of upstarts who did not care about opinions.
To this day, Vivienne’s original creations from 1971 are marvels to the skills of the Northern lass, who worked hard and became a Queen of a movement, Dame of an empire, and now music mogul. One or two people are aware she is also a songwriter, and hopes to find an outlet for her songs very soon. Is there no end to her talent?
It was in San Francisco in 2007 when I first saw the personal and private collection on display in the De Young museum as part of the world tour. If you’re not aware of her work, then you’d better get an opinion.
As ever, the music is important to Vivienne. It’s a family affair once again, as the co - composer of the album is her son Joe Corre, co-founder of lingerie label Agent Provocateur. Who better placed to understand the songs that influenced those years? He has even DJ’d live for her.
The album has had mixed anticipations, with one person commenting
‘It would be lovely if it was an album personal to her and not a deal done with a record label. I would love to discover she was influenced by classical music all along’.
Whatever Vivienne Westwood has done throughout her 37-year career, the acceptance that has led her to the pinnacle of English fashion comes from the very realisation that she was never there to be accepted in the first place.
The album Catwalk Breakdown is now available on Mercury Records. This album is Vivienne Westwood, whether you like it or not!
Personally? I love your work.
Photographs from www.style.com
Darling!
1 year, 5 months ago
Very well put Mr Sparkie.
A view that not many people really appreciate.