Vivienne Westwood Red
Autumn-Winter 2012/13 – The meaning that translated to the viewers was one of heritage and ‘Britishness.’ A sense that there is no city more cosmopolitan than London. To show this, Westwood did what she has always done best, and as she is famous for impeccable tailoring, it came as no surprise when suits of all styles came down the catwalk. Westwood created masculine Savile Row inspired long Edwardian jackets, Jeremy Street stripes, traditional ‘smoking’ suits, and jacquards taken from African body painting, notwithstanding the use of wool, mohair and tartan. Vivienne regularly uses the limelight to stage a political message or two and this time it was in support of the Environmental Justice Foundation’s ‘No Place Like Home’ campaign for climate refugees. Westwood juxtaposed the idea of Britishness, with international issues, as fine tailoring contrasted with tribal tattoos on the hands, legs and necks of the girls. Today, British meant great tailoring and an outwards perspective of global issues.