Vivienne Westwood, Naomi falling. Photography by Niall McInerney © Niall McInerney. Exhibition organised by the V&A, London.
Fashion Assassin
08 November 2004
Following from a tremendous season in London at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Vivienne Westwood: 34 Years in Fashion comes to Australia for a one-stop show at the National Galley of Australia. The retrospective celebrates one of the world’s most influential – and notorious – fashion designers.
The exhibition features more than 150 designs and brings together clothes, accessories, images, film and music to tell the remarkable story of Vivienne Westwood.
Drawn from Westwood’s personal archives, the V&A’s collection and from the NGA’s own collection, Vivienne Westwood: 34 Years in Fashion is the largest exhibition ever devoted to the work of the designer, examining her incredible career from the 1970s to the present day.
Westwood has been a major influence on fashion design from haute couture to ready-to-wear. Throughout her career Westwood's designs have been diverse, ranging from punk – including outfits worn by the Sex Pistols in the 70s, which she designed with Malcolm McLaren – to the grand ball gowns that draw inspiration from historical art and dress. Recently she dressed Sarah Jessica Parker in the hit TV series Sex and the City, the artist Tracey Emin and actress Cameron Diaz, who wore a dress designed by Westwood at the 59th Annual Golden Globe awards in 2002.
“It is extremely exciting to showcase my work in Australia, at the National Gallery of Australia,” says Westwood. “I am delighted to be able to share my archive and ideas. I congratulate the NGA for the continued commitment to fashion exhibitions – fashion is an applied art and it is extremely vital and alive today.”
The exhibition includes sections devoted to tailoring, tartan and accessories. The famous blue mock-croc platform shoes Naomi Campbell wore when she fell on the catwalk in 1993 form part of the exhibition, as do sumptuous ball gowns worn by Demi Moore, Linda Evangelista and Jerry Hall. A film and catwalk footage about the life and career of Westwood will be shown in the exhibition space.
Vivienne Westwood is one of Britain’s best known and most admired fashion designers. She has made a major contribution to international fashion for over three decades and was awarded British Designer of the Year in 1990 and 1991. In 1992 she was honoured with the Order of the British Empire for her outstanding contribution to fashion.
More Information
Vivienne Westwood: 34 Years in Fashion
12 November – 30 January 2005
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
Details: (02) 6240 6502
Website: http://www.nga.gov.au/
