Fashion Forward Podcast 2

It's a private move, move, private move, move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, 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move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, 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move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, 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move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, 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move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move, private move through experimentation that her iconic orb logo was born. It symbolized taking tradition into the future. By fusing historical references with contemporary activism, Westwood's work transcended clothing and made a statement. Between 1985 and 87, she invented the mini crinny, a combination of the crinoline, which represented a mythology of restriction and encumbrance in women's dress, and the mini skirt, which represented a feminist mythology of liberation. Her 18th century inspired corsets show this vision and her keen interest in history. Although corsets have been regarded as a patriarchal instrument that would deform the female body, Vivian would bring them a new life. She modernized this design using stretch panels on the side and zip fastening instead of lacing, becoming one of the first to introduce underwear as outerwear. By blending punk and regal fashion, she created something completely new. Her political nods weren't always this subtle, though. In 1989, Vivian mocked then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher by impersonating her on the cover of a magazine. She even wore a suit that Thatcher had ordered but not yet collected. The image was taken for April Fool's edition and looked just like Thatcher. It was then blown up on billboards across London for fashion week. One of her biggest contributions to fashion activism is her relentless advocacy for the environment. Long before it became a mainstream concern, Vivian was urging consumers to reconsider their relationship with clothing and the planet. Her brand is known to use eco-friendly materials, including recycled products for packaging and fabrics to minimize textile waste. Pearls, for example, became a central part of her most iconic jewelry pieces. While she appreciated the cultural significance and meaning of pearls, she was also aware that pearl farming could be an unsustainable practice. This is why the design house uses lower-impact glass-based or resin pearls as an alternative. Through her collections, campaigns, and public statements, she signs a spotlight on the ecological impact of fast fashion and encourages a more conscious approach to consumption. She famously urges consumers to buy less, choose well, and make it last. Vivian led a number of other campaigns throughout her life and her efforts to make change in the fashion world. Her Made in Kenya collaboration launched in 2010, which was a partnership with the United Nations supporting the Ethical Fashion Initiative. Her 2018 collaboration with Burberry was also in support of a UK organization called Cool Earth, which raises money to protect endangered forests and ecosystems to fight global warming. In a similar vein, she partnered with Eastpac for the Save Our Oceans line of bags in July 2020 and partnered with a not-for-profit organization, Canopy for Earth Day 2020, campaigning to protect forests through fabric choices. Her last physical fashion show was the 2019 London Fashion Week, before she made the decision to go digital for environmental reasons. Westwood's political activism doesn't stop there. She's a vocal advocate for various social justice causes, from LGBTQ rights to anti-war movements. Her runway shows serve as platforms to speak out, featuring designs that challenge societal norms and spark conversations. What's most striking about Westwood is her refusal to compromise her principles for the sake of profit or popularity. In an industry often criticized for its superficiality and excess, she remains a beacon of integrity, using her influence to challenge the very foundations of the fashion establishment. Her runway shows are not just spectacles of glamour, but platforms for dissent, featuring models adorned in garments that challenge societal norms and provoke thought. As we reflect on Vivian Westwood's legacy, it's clear that her impact extends far beyond the realm of fashion. She's a trailblazer, a provocateur, and an inspiration to all those who dare to challenge the status quo. So, the next time you step into a piece of clothing, remember the power it holds. Fashion isn't just about looking good, it's about making a statement, and Vivian Westwood has certainly made hers loud and clear.