Vivienne Westwood
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.
“I never look at fashion magazines. I find them incredibly boring. To me, reading a fashion magazine is the last thing I need to do. I've got books I need to read. More people should read books. It's the most concentrated experience you can have. You know, all those incredible geniuses concentrated their lifetimes' experiences in books. It's much better than chattering away to somebody who's never read anything and knows nothing at all.”
“Fashion is life-enhancing and I think it's a lovely, generous thing to do for other people”
“You have to go faster than the system.”
“A status symbol is a book. A very easy book to read is The Catcher in the Rye. Walk around with that under your arm, kids. That is status.”
“I’m not terribly interested in beauty. What touches me is someone who understands herself.”
“It is not possible for a man to be elegant without a touch of femininity.”
“Intelligence is composed mostly of imagination, insight, things that have nothing to do with reason.”
“The young need discipline and a full bookcase.”
“Buy less, choose well & do it yourself!”