Of course it would be Dame Vivienne Westwood to be the one to make memorial dressing chic. In a private ceremony in London’s Southwark Cathedral, fashion’s most famous faces gathered for one final send off for the Queen of Punk.
As you’d expect, the unconventional fashion maverick’s memorial was anything but traditional, but rather one that aptly summarised her life and life’s work: rebellious, spirited and always mischievous.
The memorial comes after the lauded designer’s passing in December 2022, where she died surrounded by family at her home in London. She was 81-years-old.
She was laid to rest in January at her place of birth in Derbyshire.
As per a statement from Westwood’s eponymous label, the private memorial was an occasion to to celebrate her life as a designer and activist with “words, poetry and music performed by those close to her and attended by those whose lives she touched.”
Westwood may have not been physically present at the occasion, her spirit was definitely felt with the designer’s unflinching commitment to activism, pioneering essence and signature fearlessness on display through the sartorial choices of the famous attendees.
Actress Helena Bonham Carter donned one of Westwood’s signature prints, a tartan check that featured heavily in the designer’s iconic ‘Anglomania’ collection, to deliver a eulogy during the ceremony.
Nick Cave, complete in a black two-piece pinstripe suit, also performed a rendition of ‘Into My Arms’.
Elsewhere, Vivienne Westwood muse Kate Moss donned a floral shirtdress which she paired with fishnet stockings and a matching black velvet beret and blazer.
She walked side-by-side with her daughter, Lila Moss, who opted for a black mini dress and satin-esque coat.
Both Moss’ opted to accessorise their mournful ensembles with Westwood’s signature orb sigil, with Kate opting for a pearl orb choker, while Lila donned a heart-shaped cross-body bag.
Victoria Beckham did not depart from her classic skin-tight, high-neck silhouette for the occasion, choosing a Morticia Addams-approved asymmetrical gown as she walked with fellow fashion designer Marc Jacobs out of the service.
Other attendees included Elle Fanning, Alexa Chung, Bianca Jagger and Stephen Jones, who famously took inspiration from Vivienne Westwood’s ‘SEX’ boutique for the name of his band the Sex Pistols.
Of course, Vivienne Westwood wouldn’t be one to assign a dress code. Yet, it’s clear from the style savants present that the unofficial mode of dressing was Vivienne’s own modus operandi: “If in doubt, dress up.”
See the photos from the memorial below.
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