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Catwalk
Vivienne Westwood: The Complete Collections
Forty years of catwalk photography featuring seventy groundbreaking collections from the inimitable Vivienne Westwood—over 1,000 looks as they originally appeared in Westwood’s iconic shows
“The only reason I’m in fashion is to destroy the word ‘conformity,’” Vivienne Westwood (b. 1941) declared early in her career. With her provocative synthesis of historic British fashion, classic painting aesthetics, and punk culture, the British designer has continuously revolutionized the fashion industry since her first catwalk collection, “Pirate,” debuted in 1981.
Opening with a concise history of the house and brief biographical profiles of Westwood and her longtime collaborator Andreas Kronthaler, this spectacular volume—the seventh in the celebrated Catwalk series—documents all of Westwood’s catwalk collections from 1981 to today. Short texts illuminating each collection’s highlights and influences are accompanied by carefully curated catwalk photographs showcasing hundreds of clothing ensembles, accessories, beauty looks, and set designs, along with the top fashion models who walked the runway, including Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell. With an extensive reference section, this lavishly illustrated volume provides unrivalled insight into one of the most thought-provoking and influential fashion designers in the world.
“The only reason I’m in fashion is to destroy the word ‘conformity,’” Vivienne Westwood (b. 1941) declared early in her career. With her provocative synthesis of historic British fashion, classic painting aesthetics, and punk culture, the British designer has continuously revolutionized the fashion industry since her first catwalk collection, “Pirate,” debuted in 1981.
Opening with a concise history of the house and brief biographical profiles of Westwood and her longtime collaborator Andreas Kronthaler, this spectacular volume—the seventh in the celebrated Catwalk series—documents all of Westwood’s catwalk collections from 1981 to today. Short texts illuminating each collection’s highlights and influences are accompanied by carefully curated catwalk photographs showcasing hundreds of clothing ensembles, accessories, beauty looks, and set designs, along with the top fashion models who walked the runway, including Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell. With an extensive reference section, this lavishly illustrated volume provides unrivalled insight into one of the most thought-provoking and influential fashion designers in the world.
632 pages, Hardcover
Published June 30, 2021
43 people are currently reading
1546 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 15, 2021
Beautiful, inspiring. Stunning in both artifact and content. “When you speak with Westwood, you ask few questions, receive long answers.” “In Italy, they take expensive fabric and make it look boring, but I take basic fabric and make it look timeless.” “Fashion is not sustainable. It must be sold at true cost. Buy less, choose well, make it last.” Miss Marple skirt!
December 6, 2022
never thought to count this in my reading challenge before but I did read it soooo
May 14, 2023
J'ai adoré >:))
( à partir du prêt a porter automne-hiver de 1993/94 c'est tellement magnifique, vrm de là a la fin ma partie fav ♡ )
Le livre en lui même est ouf
Chaque collection est expliquée et documentée c'est super intéressant et ça enrichi bien l'œuvre !!
Merci au loulou pour le cadeau incroyable ( ◜‿◝ )♡
( à partir du prêt a porter automne-hiver de 1993/94 c'est tellement magnifique, vrm de là a la fin ma partie fav ♡ )
Le livre en lui même est ouf
Chaque collection est expliquée et documentée c'est super intéressant et ça enrichi bien l'œuvre !!
Merci au loulou pour le cadeau incroyable ( ◜‿◝ )♡
January 12, 2022
VIVI😻😻😻
October 5, 2024
Nonostante io sia del tutto ignorante in fatto di moda - mi vesto in maniera molto casual, facendo attenzione soltanto a combinare bene i colori per non sembrare Arlecchino - c’è una stilista che ha destato il mio interesse: l’iconica Vivienne Westwood.
Scoperta per caso, grazie al manga (e all’anime) "Nana" di Ai Yazawa. Nel manga, infatti, la disegnatrice ha incorporato nel delineare il personaggio di punta, Nana Osaki, (ma non sono su di lei) un look che richiama abiti e accessori che sembrano usciti direttamente dalle collezioni di Westwood.
La stilista britannica, con la sua conturbante eccentricità e audacia, ha catturato l’essenza stessa del punk – che non è solo giubbotti di pelle e borchie – arricchendola con elementi che attingono a piene mani da storia e cultura.
È così che nasce la sua inconfondibile cifra stilistica; il logo “Orb” è una chiara dichiarazione d’intenti: il globo crucigero – simbolo medievale, ripreso anche dalla monarchia britannica – viene “abbracciato” da un anello, rievocando l’immagine di Saturno. Questo accostamento vuole dare risalto a una correlazione tra passato e futuro, l’avvio di una fase di mutamento (ma mai stravolgimento) della tradizione in chiave futuristica.
Il presente volume mostra un ricchissimo apparato fotografico di tutte le sfilate dal 1981 al 2021, ciascuna accompagnata da un breve testo che le spiega e documenta.
Scoperta per caso, grazie al manga (e all’anime) "Nana" di Ai Yazawa. Nel manga, infatti, la disegnatrice ha incorporato nel delineare il personaggio di punta, Nana Osaki, (ma non sono su di lei) un look che richiama abiti e accessori che sembrano usciti direttamente dalle collezioni di Westwood.
La stilista britannica, con la sua conturbante eccentricità e audacia, ha catturato l’essenza stessa del punk – che non è solo giubbotti di pelle e borchie – arricchendola con elementi che attingono a piene mani da storia e cultura.
È così che nasce la sua inconfondibile cifra stilistica; il logo “Orb” è una chiara dichiarazione d’intenti: il globo crucigero – simbolo medievale, ripreso anche dalla monarchia britannica – viene “abbracciato” da un anello, rievocando l’immagine di Saturno. Questo accostamento vuole dare risalto a una correlazione tra passato e futuro, l’avvio di una fase di mutamento (ma mai stravolgimento) della tradizione in chiave futuristica.
Il presente volume mostra un ricchissimo apparato fotografico di tutte le sfilate dal 1981 al 2021, ciascuna accompagnata da un breve testo che le spiega e documenta.
September 11, 2023
Favourite designer… favourite book
February 25, 2025
[Vivienne Westwood. Sfilate - Alexander Fury → ☆☆☆☆☆]
May 8, 2022
wooooooow so many beautiful photos & descriptions i love love love vivienne westwood sm
August 6, 2023
Staying educated with this
October 4, 2021
Une nouvelle collection pour une nouvelle année, quelle fut ma surprise de découvrir qu'il s'agissait de celle de Vivienne Westwood. Par contre, cet ouvrage était bien plus fourni que les précédents étant donné que j'ai passé plus de 5 heures pour le terminer (la collection effectuée pendant le confinement était inutile).
Tout d'abord, j'ai trouvé deux fautes d'orthographes :
- p. 12 = absence d'espace entre le du et le XIXe.
- p. 568 = le point à la fin de la dernière phrase manque.
De plus, la qualité des photographies de la page 83 et 85 sont juste terribles et très mauvaise, ce qui n'est pas acceptable.
Toutefois, j'étais agréablement surprise d'apprécier certaines collections notamment, "Tweed Harris (automne-hiver 1987-1988, page 176)", "Portrait (automne-hiver 1990-1991, p. 198-200)", "Découpe, taillader et tirer (printemps/été 1991, p. 220)" et aussi la collection homme pour Pitt Uomo (Découper et taillader, printemps-été 1991, p. 210).
J'ai aussi apprécier l'explication de la feuille de vigne au Victoria & Albert museum (p. 176).
Sinon l'ouvrage était trop dense et à la fin il m'est sortie des yeux.
Bonsoir.
Tout d'abord, j'ai trouvé deux fautes d'orthographes :
- p. 12 = absence d'espace entre le du et le XIXe.
- p. 568 = le point à la fin de la dernière phrase manque.
De plus, la qualité des photographies de la page 83 et 85 sont juste terribles et très mauvaise, ce qui n'est pas acceptable.
Toutefois, j'étais agréablement surprise d'apprécier certaines collections notamment, "Tweed Harris (automne-hiver 1987-1988, page 176)", "Portrait (automne-hiver 1990-1991, p. 198-200)", "Découpe, taillader et tirer (printemps/été 1991, p. 220)" et aussi la collection homme pour Pitt Uomo (Découper et taillader, printemps-été 1991, p. 210).
J'ai aussi apprécier l'explication de la feuille de vigne au Victoria & Albert museum (p. 176).
Sinon l'ouvrage était trop dense et à la fin il m'est sortie des yeux.
Bonsoir.
July 5, 2023
The elegantly named Vivienne Westwood came from a punk rock background, teaching herself how to create clothes that made use of available materials and challenged the British establishment. From these rebellious roots, she rose to become one of the most highly respected fashion designers in history. Westwood was truly ahead of her time, designing sustainably, hiring diverse models, and championing environmental causes before any of these things were the norm. This career retrospective traces the development of Westwood’s artistic voice, from the playful defiance of her “Pirates” collection (autumn/winter 1981-1982) to the refined craftsmanship of her “Mirror the World” collection (spring/summer 2016-2017). Sadly, Westwood passed away last year, but her company lives on in the work of Andreas Kronthaler (her husband and collaborator), and in her enduring advice to “Buy less, choose well, and make it last.”
April 7, 2025
I really wanted to take my time with this book not just flip through the pages but really read what was being said. I’m glad I did. I love Vivienne Westwood she’s such an inspiration in my own work and life in general this book makes me love her even more. So much to be said here about the importance of examining history and what fashion truly means. Art has always had immense power no matter the medium. Reading this in the current political and cultural environment, activism through art is always a good idea. ART IS POWER.
December 7, 2022
Absolutely stunning! A complete pictorial review of every collection Westwood has walked up to and including 2021. Every single season explained in intelligent, smart writing. A must buy for any interested in fashion.
April 5, 2025
Love this woman and her creations !! punk is the most rebellious and sofisticated you can see on runaways. rest in peace strong activist.🕊 The hells, necklace, rings, the orb,tartan print, layers and models are timeless iconic.
February 5, 2023
Have I truly been choosing clothes for joy and dressing myself independent of trends, or have I just been unconsciously copying Vivienne Westwood? This book was pure joy.
June 7, 2023
Love it
November 13, 2023
I have wanted this book for so long, I decided to treat myself a few months ago. This is a book I will come back to time and time again. A great designer.
December 16, 2023
woooow.
December 22, 2023
she's so crazy love her
December 27, 2023
No this did not take me 2 years to “read”…. Idk what you’re talking about
January 1, 2024
vivienne 🌟💘🌷🩰
April 4, 2024
Iconic
April 14, 2024
Richement illustré. Inspirant.
July 22, 2024
It was really fun to learn more about Vivienne Westwood and her collections. The writing was succinct and the pictures were glorious.
November 28, 2024
hermoso precioso perfecto maravilloso magnífico
January 2, 2025
Great room decor
January 10, 2025
Beautiful beautiful beautiful!
January 23, 2025
vivienne. i love you.
that’s all <3
that’s all <3
January 25, 2025
i highly recommend reading this book if you want to learn more about vivienne westwood and how her brand became the iconic house hold name it is today.
November 8, 2025
Vivienne Westwood, the woman that you are
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews