Vivienne Westwood: two hundred items from her personal wardrobe go up for auction

Dame Vivienne Westwood has dedicated her entire existence to fashion, working until her last day as creative director of the historic brand that bears her name since the 1970s. Of British origins, she created and wore fashion, and those very clothes she wore, spokespersons for various messages, will be the protagonists of an auction that will take place in June 2024, organized by Christie’s London.

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Christie’s will auction over 200 lots of the revolutionary English designer’s personal wardrobe and in parallel will organize an exhibition, also in London; two events to raise funds for projects that the designer had at heart.

The iconic looks will be presented in two auctions: a live sale, which will be held in London on 25 June, and an online auction, which will take place from 14 to 28 June 2024. The auction mainly includes items dating from 1983- 1984, designed by her and inspired by witchcraft and the graphic code of Keith Haring’s magical symbols. The collection – pioneering and revolutionary – featured swirling silhouettes, huge pointed shoulder pads and layered knitwear; was presented in Paris, where it was acclaimed by critics.

Perhaps more than any other designer, Vivienne Westwood has understood the power with which a message can be communicated through clothing. ‘Propaganda’, the Autumn/Winter 2005/06 collection, was probably Vivienne’s most overtly political show, with references to her punk period and an essay by Aldous Huxley entitled Propaganda in a Democratic Society.

Propaganda Dressed to Scale and Witches, foto courtesy Christie's,© Victor Virgile/Getty Images — Propaganda Dressed to Scale and Witches, foto courtesy Christie’s,© Victor Virgile/Getty Images

Courtesy Christie's abito a/i 1998-1999, ©Richard Young/Shutterstock — Courtesy Christie’s abito a/i 1998-1999, ©Richard Young/Shutterstock

Adrian Hume Sayer, Director Private & Iconic Collections at Christie’s and Head of Sale, said: “Vivienne Westwood’s sense of activism, artistry and style is inherent in every single piece she creates. The exhibition and auctions of Christie’s will celebrate his extraordinary vision with a selection of looks that represent significant moments not only in his career, but also in his personal life. This will be a unique opportunity to enter both the public and private worlds of the great Dame Vivienne Westwood and raise funds for the causes she held dear.”

The exhibition

Also from 14 to 24 June, a free exhibition open to the public, entitled “Vivienne Westwood: The Personal Collection”, will be held at Christie’s headquarters in King Street, London. Garments, jewelery and accessories will be auctioned to support The Vivienne Foundation, Amnesty International and Médecins Sans Frontières, together with The big Picture – Vivienne’s Playing Cards, a project by The Vivienne Foundation to raise funds for Greenpeace.