Learn about the DIY Dame’s claim to fame and meditate on a few wise words quoted from the late Queen of Punk to incite your rebellious nature.

Vivienne Westwood, who passed away on December 29, 2022, pioneered punk rock’s DIY aesthetic. From safety pins and tartan to oversized outlines and mismatched colors, she redefined fashion as we know it. Her boldness and creativity made her an icon of non-conformist punk culture, inspiring generations of budding designers and other artists who are not afraid to take risks and challenge the status quo.

Born to working-class parents at the start of World War II, in Derbyshire, England, in 1941, Westwood studied at the University of Westminster and the Harrow School of Art. She began her career as a primary school teacher but soon moved into the world of fashion, opening a boutique in 1971 with her then-partner, Malcolm McLaren.

Originally called “Let It Rock,” the store sold offbeat, non-traditional and fetish-inspired clothing, quickly becoming a hotspot for the London scene in Soho. After several incarnations, in the mid-’70s, the shop was rebranded as the controversially titled “SEX”.

London’s punk scene changed the world, and Westwood helped to stitch it together from the beginning.

Westwood famously designed the clothing for the Sex Pistols, who regularly hung out around the shop (hence the namesake), and was also managed by her partner, McLaren. Her designs and involvement in the London scene helped bring a sense of rebelliousness to the punk movement, making it stand out from the rest.

This you-had-to-be-there moment launched the raucous crew into the limelight along with other punk pioneers who loitered around (or actually worked at) the shop, like Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders, Siouxsie Sioux, Jordan, Polystyrene of X-Ray Spex, among many others.

As the whirlwind success (and imminent destruction) of the Sex Pistols unraveled, punk rock sensibility began to seep into the mainstream. Vivienne Westwood’s first catwalk show was in 1981 at the Olympia Exhibition Hall in London.

She presented her first collection titled ‘Pirate.’ It was a big success, with the likes of Princess Diana and Boy George in attendance. Since then, Westwood has become a household name in fashion, with her designs gracing the pages of magazines such as Vogue and Elle.

Vivienne Westwood’s philosophy was heavily influenced by her punk and new-wave roots.

Westwood’s designs have become known for their daring innovation and creativity, combining traditional tailoring with modern details that challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of fashion. Her designs have often featured bold, bright colors and unconventional silhouettes often inspired by history, art, and social commentaries. She also took risks with her fabrics, often incorporating unconventional materials such as leather and vinyl.

Vivienne Westwood was an activist who used her brand to advocate for human rights, animal rights, and climate change.

Westwood has also used her platform to advocate for a number of causes, including environmentalism and the preservation of indigenous cultures. She has had a powerful voice in bringing attention to the role of fashion in contributing to global warming.

Her commitment to sustainability has been seen in creating her Ethical Fashion Africa line, which produces sustainable clothing and accessories. She was also a vocal supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community and advocated for animal rights.

Here are ten of the most inspiring quotes by one of the most iconic fashion designers in modern culture.

Vivienne Westwood’s passion and dedication to DIY sensibility, anti-corporate and anti-establishment ideas, the environment, and improving the world, in general, have inspired many across all scenes, from the fringes of society to the most revered in the mainstream.

In honor of her legacy and recent passing, here are a few quotes from the priestess of punk rock aesthetic to inspire you in 2023.

1. “When we started to do punk, we put all of these things together to create the look of an urban guerrilla — a rebel.”

2. “The only way to be truly modern is to be yourself.”

3. “Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.”

4. “You’ve got to invest in the world, you’ve got to read, you’ve got to go to art galleries, you’ve got to find out the names of plants. You’ve got to start to love the world and know about the whole genius of the human race. We’re amazing people.”

5. “The only possible effect one can have on the world is through unpopular ideas.”

6. “It is not possible for a man to be elegant without a touch of femininity.”

7. “More people should read books. It’s the most concentrated experience you can have.”

8. “You have a more interesting life if you wear impressive clothes.”

9. “Everybody should have a fair deal; everybody should have the chance to live in this world. If we were evolved as human beings, we would hopefully be able to alleviate suffering in the world.”