The fashion industry recently gathered in Paris to attend a highly-anticipated show, honoring the late Vivienne Westwood, a legendary fashion designer. The event was held at the Hotel de la Marine and was the first show since Westwood’s passing. Her husband and creative partner, Andreas Kronthaler, presented a collection that remained true to Westwood’s punk aesthetic.
Famous fashion designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier and celebrities like Jared Leto, Halsey, and Lena Mahfouf sat in the front row, paying their respects to the designer who had a significant impact on their careers. Gaultier praised Westwood, saying that she was “unique” and that her punk fashion had influenced him.
Although the loss of Westwood was palpable, her creative spirit was still present in the collection, which showcased her lasting impact on fashion that will continue to inspire for generations. The runway was walked by models such as Sara Stockbridge and Cora Corré, Westwood’s granddaughter, who wore tear-streaked eye make-up as a nod to the designer’s signature style.
Andreas Kronthaler spoke about the show and his wife’s impact on the fashion world, saying that she “left things very clear“. The collection was made from deadstock and included personal touches, such as the use of metal pigs as accessories, which referenced a wooden good luck charm that Westwood kept on her mantle.
Kronthaler emphasized the importance of continuing her legacy, saying that it is necessary to process things and “not stop anything or make big decisions“. Westwood may be gone, but her spirit lives on in the collections, runway shows, and the hearts of those who were inspired by her. The use of AC/DC’s “T.N.T.” in the show emphasized the explosive power of Westwood’s codes, which Kronthaler is now preserving.
