Vivienne Westwood

A teacher turned fashion designer, Westwood is one of the most influential and recognisable British designers of the past 20 years. She once said that fashion is, 'life-enhancing and like everything that gives pleasure, it is worth doing well.' 
 
Studied: Westwood began designing and selling clothes through her shop, 'Let it Rock', on the Kings Road in 1971. Her designs became closely linked with the punk explosion.  
 
Discovery: In 1976, Westwood's then lover and business partner, Malcolm McLaren, dressed his band the Sex Pistols in clothes from Westwood's boutique. Her status among the stars was guaranteed from that point on.  
 
Work: In 1981, her first London collection, 'Pirate', put Westwood firmly on the fashion map as an original and unusual design talent. In 1983 she became the first female British designer to grace the Paris catwalks since Mary Quant in the 1960s.  
 
Signature style: Westwood's quirky anti-establishment style has made its way into the mainstream and she's become a byword for British style and quality abroad.  
 
Accolades: In 1990 and 1991 Westwood was named British Designer of the Year and was later awarded an OBE in recognition of her services to British fashion. In 1998 and 2002 she won the Queen's UK Export Award. 

Content courtesy of Club UK. For more information on other British fashion designers, please visit Club UK (www.educationuk.org/clubuk/3/index.html).