In September ’14, the National Portrait Gallery unveiled the latest commissioned portrait of Dame Vivienne Westwood. She was captured in her London garden by photographer Juergen Teller.
Teller has previously worked with Dame Vivienne on a number of her fashion campaigns and was hand-picked for the project by both her and the Gallery.
Dame Vivienne said of the result: “Photography isn’t like painting, where you can decide how you want someone to look, but Juergen manages it. It must be something to do with where he places you in the picture, and the space he leaves around you.”
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Short Introduction
Vivienne Westwood, once the Queen of Punk, has been creating the most exciting and outrageous designs for over 40 years.
She has dressed everyone from the Sex Pistols to supermodels. It is almost 74 years since she was born near the village of Tintwistle in Derbyshire and 43 years since she opened her legendary Kings Road shop. Dane Vivienne has become the tabloids’ favourite English eccentric, a dotty aunt figure who is kissed in the street by strangers.
Vivienne Westwood famously collected her OBE in 1992 ,ph. Martin Keene
She is still sole owner of her company and of her name. Her stature is deserved: she is a great innovator, a unique talent who combines an appetite for culture and historical references with an unclouded modern eye and a rigorous approach to the craft of making clothes. As the art director of punk and the creator of the Pirates and Mini Crini collections, mrs. Westwood is responsible for some of fashion’s most memorable images. She is enjoying a revival of interest for vintage Vivienne Westwood pieces.
Born Vivienne Isabel Swire (8 April 1941), she married Derek Westwood at 21 and had a son, Ben. But three years later, she left her home and her career as a primary school teacher and discovered Malcolm McLaren and fashion. Her 15-year relationship with McLaren was a great creative partnership and produced a son, Joe. Now grown up, Joe Corre (the name came from McLaren’s grandmother after McLaren refused to put his name on his son’s birth certificate) is co-owner and co-designer of the Agent Provocateur lingerie label with his wife, Serena Rees. Since 1992, mrs. Westwood has been married to her third husband, Andreas Kronthaler.
Dame Vivienne Westwood advanced from OBE to DBE in ’06
She attracts publicity without trying: in 1992 she twirled for the photographers outside Buckingham Palace after collecting her OBE (Order of the British Empire), forgetting she wasn’t wearing knickers. Mrs. Westwood later said, “I wished to show off my outfit by twirling the skirt. It did not occur to me that, as the photographers were practically on their knees, the result would be more glamorous than I expected,” and added: “I have heard that the picture amused the Queen.”
Vivienne Westwood advanced from OBE to DBE (Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, a grade within the British order of chivalry ) in the 2006 New Year’s Honours List “for services to fashion” and has twice earned the award for British Designer of the Year.
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Portraits
Photograph Juergen Teller
Photograph Juergen Teller
Photograph Juergen Teller
Photograph Tim Walker
Photograph by Inez & Vinoodh, ’94
Photograph Bryan Adams. 2008
Photograph by Rankin
Photograph Annie Leibovitz, 2003
Photograph Philip Hollis , 2007
Photograph Andy Gotts
Photograph Andy Gotts
Photograph Gian Paolo Barbieri
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A Personal Memoir
Photograph Juergen Teller
Vivienne Westwood is one of the icons of our age. Fashion designer, activist, co-creator of punk, global brand and grandmother; a true living legend. Her career has successfully spanned five decades and her work has influenced millions of people across the world.
For the first and only time, Dame Vivienne Westwood has written a personal memoir, collaborating with award-winning biographer Ian Kelly, to describe the events, people and ideas that have shaped her extraordinary life. Told in all its glamour and glory, and with her unique voice, unexpected perspective and passionate honesty, this is her story.
ISBN10: 1447254120
ISBN13: 9781447254126
Photograph Jillian Edelstein
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official website: http://www.viviennewestwood.com/
Info: The Guardian
agnautacouture.com 
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