Stars from across the music world have paid tribute to fashion icon Vivienne Westwood following her death.
The legendary British designer and activist passed away on Thursday, December 29 at the age of 81, a statement on her social media pages confirmed.
“Vivienne Westwood died today, peacefully and surrounded by her family, in Clapham, South London,” the message reads. “The world needs people like Vivienne to make a change for the better.”
29th December 2022.
— Vivienne Westwood (@FollowWestwood) December 29, 2022
Vivienne Westwood died today, peacefully and surrounded by her family, in Clapham, South London.
The world needs people like Vivienne to make a change for the better. pic.twitter.com/YQwVixYUrV
In a press statement, her husband and creative partner Andreas Kronthaler added: “I will continue with Vivienne in my heart. We have been working until the end and she has given me plenty of things to get on with.”
Following news of her passing, stars from the pop world took to social media to celebrate the creative, who played an integral role in the British punk movement of the seventies.
“R.I.P to the great and inspiring Vivienne Westwood who lead us through punk and beyond,” tweeted Boy George.
“Laughed at by the fashion industry but without question she is the undisputed Queen of British fashion. I love you! Oh bondage up yours!”
Bananarama penned: “RIP Dame Vivienne Westwood, a true pioneer. An incredible force in fashion & longtime activist who will continue to inspire for generations.”
In a statement on Instagram, Duran Duran’s John Taylor shared: “I don’t know where to begin expressing my sadness at the death of Vivienne Westwood. The Greatest of all Time English fashion designers? Certainly the most original and influential.
“Without her no Punk, no Pistols and no Future. And a truly lovely lady who never compromised. There will not be another like her. There is rarely a day that Vivienne doesn’t influence some clothing choice that I make. Who shall we look to now?”
Marc Almond added: “Iconic ,visionary , fearlessly outspoken inspirational strong warrior Woman. She changed culture, changed me ! . An amazing life . Always kept her anti establishment credentials . Vivienne Westwood.”
Born in Glossop, England, on April 8, 1941, Westwood worked as a schoolteacher and married Derek Westwood in 1962, with whom she shared a son, Ben. The couple divorced in 1965.
She later met Malcolm McLaren, with whom she welcomed her second son, Joe, and opened her Chelsea boutique SEX, which was later renamed Seditionaries: Clothes for Heroes.
McLaren later managed Sex Pistols and Westwood dressed the group, alongside several other greats.
In a tribute, Sex Pistols star Glen Matlock said: “I have just heard the sad news indeed about a one off, single minded, talented lady.
“A privilege to have rubbed shoulders with her in the mid ‘70s at the birth of punk and the waves it created that still resound today for the disaffected.
“My thoughts are with her friends and family.”
Recognised for signature looks including ripped T-shirts, plaid patterns and safety pin embellishments, she helped bring punk fashion into the mainstream and launched her own brand in the early-eighties.
In later years, she became a prominent climate change activist, creating the Climate Revolution in 2012, and committed her fashion house to reducing its contributions to climate change.
