Remembering Vivienne Westwood, who was punk til the end: the late British fashion icon counted Dua Lipa, Emma Watson and Queen Consort Camilla as fans and her brand stayed independent through it all

Jan 4 , 2023

British designer Vivenne Westwood died on December 29, 2022 at the age of 81 but she remains a punk icon for many. Photo: Reuters

Considered one of the greatest designers in British fashion, Vivienne Westwood has a loyal celebrity fan base, including Emma Watson, Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo and even Queen Consort Camilla

She died on December 29, 2022 at 81, but her rebellious spirit still reverberates through her punk-influenced designs, with long-time partner Andreas Kronthaler continuing the label

Irreverent British designer Vivienne Westwood, who died last Thursday on December 29, 2022, succeeded in keeping her fashion house financially independent, even as others sought stock market listings or security within major luxury groups.

Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood walks the runway during the Vivienne Westwood show as part of the Paris Fashion Week, in March 2014. Photo: TNS

She weathered the Covid-19 pandemic, inflation and other storms thanks to the support of celebrities such as actor Emma Watson, singers Dua Lipa and Olivia Rodrigo and British Queen Consort Camilla.

The punk icon’s fashion house had just two board members – Westwood herself and long-time director general Carlo D’Amario – until Jeffrey Banks joined them recently on December 16.

Weathering the storm

British designer Vivienne Westwood’s brand remained cocky, brazen and resolutely independent throughout the years. Photo: Reuters

In 2018, the company went into the red and was restructured. But it stayed afloat.

“Vivienne did have ups and downs because of Covid, as well as inflation, especially in Europe,” said Andrew Burnstine, associate professor in marketing at Lynn University in Florida.

“One of the reasons she was able to weather the recent storm was because of the incredible celebrity client base she had,” Burnstine said.

Dua Lipa poses in the media room during The Brit Awards 2021 at The O2 Arena, London, in May 2021. Photo: Getty Images