Get a Life: The Diaries of Vivienne Westwood by Vivienne Westwood

by Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood began Get A Life, her online diary, in 2010 with an impassioned post about Native American activist Leonard Peltier. Since then, she has written two or three entries each month, discussing her life in fashion and her involvement with art, politics and the environment.Reading Vivienne's thoughts, in her own words, is as fascinating and provocative as you would expect from Britain's punk dame - a woman who always says exactly what she believes. And what a life! One week, you might find Vivienne up the Amazon, highlighting tribal communities' struggles to maintain the rainforest; another might see her visiting Julian Assange in the Ecuadorian Embassy, or driving up to David Cameron's house in the Cotswolds in a full-on tank. Then again, Vivienne might be hanging out with her friend Pamela Anderson, or in India for Naomi Campbell's birthday party, or watching Black Sabbath in Hyde Park with Sharon Osbourne.The beauty of Vivienne Westwood's diary is that it is so fresh and unpredictable. In book form, generously illustrated with her own selection of images, it is irresistible.

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Art

Unbound

Published January 1, 1756

About the author

Dame Vivienne Westwood, DBE, RDI (born Vivienne Isabel Swire) was a British fashion designer largely responsible for bringing modern punk and new wave fashions into the mainstream.

Westwood had 11 exclusively-owned shops in UK; four in London, and one in Bicester Village, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, Glasgow, Manchester and Nottingham. She also has showrooms in Milan, Paris and Los Angeles.

In 1992, Westwood was awarded an OBE, which she collected from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. At the ceremony, Westwood was knicker-less, which was later captured by a photographer in the courtyard of Buckingham Palace. Westwood later said "I wished to show off my outfit by twirling the skirt. It did not occur to me that, as the photographers were practically on their knees, the result would be more glamorous than I expected",and added "I have heard that the picture amused the Queen". Westwood advanced from OBE to DBE in the 2006 New Year's Honours List for services to fashion,and had thrice earned the award for British Designer of the Year.

Reviews

[Amy Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a woman. In the grand scheme of things, I've only just gotten interested in her fashion line, so when I saw the flyer for her new book, I knew I had to buy it and read it. Every morning, I'd get up with a cup of coffee, and I'd read a year from her life. While it's not a comprehensive biography--we have Ian Kelly to thank for that--it is as close as we can get to the inner workings of her mind. She knows she thinks differently than the status quo, and because of that, she sometimes must explain herself. What better way to do that than with a diary-format autobiography?

However, with that being said, it's a little hard to review somebody's innermost thoughts! So, I figure that I should tell you all right now that if you enjoy biographies, if you enjoy women with conviction, and if you enjoy reading about politics, this is the book for you.

Prior to reading this, I already knew that I liked her and her clothing line. Just by going on her website, you can tell that she's pro-Earth, pro-people, anti-ecocide, and anti-phobia. After reading her book, I'm amazed that I hadn't heard of her activism before. If you were wondering what an outspoken woman looked like, well, there she is. And she's not backing down. She's very opinionated, and she knows what she's talking about. While I don't always agree with everything she says, I fully respect what she's saying. (And, to clarify, nothing she says is of the hateful manner, so it's the little things like what does art really mean? with which I disagree--things I might call trivial, things she might call extremely important).

Honestly, just from reading this book, I can tell that Vivienne Westwood is a wholly genuine person. She's outspoken. She fights for what she believes in. Before I read this book, I think I just kind of figured that fashion designers were just high-class citizens who uphold a bourgeois status, not really socially and culturally aware. Vivienne Westwood shook me to my foundations. At last, I wanted to cry out, a celebrity who recognizes that politicians only care about themselves and who cares about the earth and who will actually do things about the things she cares about. She was a breath of fresh air.

I wish I could meet her. I wish I could be like her. What a woman.

Get the full review here!

[Malpiszon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspired with McQueen/Galliano biographies... after inhaling with Savile Row, Mayfair and V&A air I was energised to understand fashion world and trend setters more... rushed to bookstore to check whom else I can study... I found her, Vivienne... remarked many times by Lee and John as the the one who introduced punk to fashion in the 70's and 80's..sex pistols era.. that's all I knew about Vivienne... hungry to learn more I planned to dive one era backwards to understand different inspirations and fashion world back then.. WRONG
... Vivienne does not talk about Fashion as long as it's not connected to her second (if not first) love in her life which is climate revolution and politics. For surprise factor I can surely mark this book with 5 stars. I need to admit I learned many things about topics which should be very close and important for all of us... climate change, spoiled financial systems, rulers of the world, culture, art, activism. Sometimes u may feel that her diaries are very hectic hence even more I'm proud of myself to get to the end of it and not dropping earlier. I will surely remember this book but found it naive sometimes to believe you can do anything to influence few thousands people in the world who rule 7 billion. I like Vivienne and will think of her every time I'm in London but cannot give more than strong 3.

[Lorna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first third with her outspoken, eccentric voice and challenging ideas. I found her takes on art and history particularly wonderful. As the book went on I began to tire of her often patronising/egocentric/unbalanced views. A fascinating, amazing force of a woman, but perhaps easiest to appreciate in small doses.

[Zoe Eileen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This annoyed me on several levels.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only was Vivienne Westwood a punk icon and fashion inventor, she was also an activist for climate change and a major supporter and friend of Julian Assange. She corresponded with Leonard Peltier for many years and worked for his release from prison. She had the essential attribute of curiosity and read widely on many subjects. She also did her reading in bed, which I was glad to hear because I do, too. Her wit and compassion were endless. Her death at the end of last year was a tragedy, but she left us so much.

This book is in the form of a journal that Vivienne kept from 2010 through 2016, containing drawings, art she admired and photographs. She had interesting takes on art that I enjoyed reading and always changed the way I saw things. Fascinating woman.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

These didn't read as diaries. From the first pages, Westwood talks about spending 6-700 hours on her manifesto. This felt like a manifesto. It felt more like a series of letters to a young person, rather than the particular introspective familiarity that one writes to oneself in private. It felt manufactured. It has probably been over-edited, explaining things that one wouldn't bother doing if they already knew them.

Did Westwood really write this way? Or, similar to what other reviews have said, is she treating the reader as naive, ignorant and indolent?

1 star because I simply did not enjoy this book.

[Lisa Baudry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very motivating read, to Vivennes's way of thinking and the time she devotes for environmental causes. 50% Fashion / 50% Environment. Her thinking on culture and the importance of engaging with the world to develop culture (not consumption) was very clear and inspiring. Alerted me to many NGO's I hadn't heard of who are doing fantastic work, especially Cool Earth. What an wonderful creative, passionate and devoted leader for our times.

[MartNov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting insight into VW's life. She is very opinionated and determined which may come across as arrogant at times. I enjoyed the diary, I have learnt a lot and was definitely inspired to open up to the world and culture more.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

stimulating

This diary is a great insight into Vivienne Westwoods way of thinking, believes and commitment to the planet. It was interesting to see how she view the world around her not just the fashion

[Sidonie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stella life

[Marnie H.S · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating look at a designer's mind, she's an inspiring advocate for all things good in the world and is definitely now one of my role models! Great read.

[Lina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her commitment is contagious!

[Joanne Dwyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better first half; defining capitalistic ecoprinciples.

[Helena Yasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning woman I didn’t know she was such a legend in so so many ways, great read

[Audrey Tobin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book if you love vivienne and wanna know random details about her

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love this spirited, impassioned woman!
To be so full of energy and life at her age - and to rally against what you believe is detrimental to the future - environmental, creative and judicious...
She lives a busy, busy life - and as she records her daily routine we begin to get to know this woman - in an intimate productive way...
At times there feels like a little too much name-dropping - but this is the circle she moves in....
And as she takes centre stage for one of her heartfelt causes we are treated to her dynamic and enthusiastic call for participation - an inspiration indeed!

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I liked this but I didn't rate it higher only because I didn't always agree with some of her ideas and sweeping generalisations. There was plenty I did like though! She's such an inspiring lady and is involved in so many amazing things. I loved when she shared her knowledge of art, music and theatre. Those sections were some of the most engaging.

[Carol - Reading Writing and Riesling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stunning production qualities alone make this book very collectable. And then there are the personal colour photographs, fashion, celebrities, musings and reflections; the passion that is Vivienne Westwood.

Add it to your bookshelf.

[Petra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very excited when I started reading the book. I find her fascinating and whilst I don't always agree with her and can't see the point she is trying to make on many occasions; I was still looking forward to reading her 'diary'. Beautifully designed, loved the layout, paper and images, however... the longer I read the more annoyed I became. The book reads liked typed up from a dictaphone and not like anyone would ever write a diary. I wish she'd simply written a real diary rather than 'dictated' one for an audience, as it feels to me in this case. I totally admire her dedication and energy and can only hope to be that active when I reach her age!