The First Show Without Vivienne Westwood Was an Emotional One For Everyone
December 29, 2022, was a tragic day for the fashion industry when the beloved and talented Vivienne Westwood passed away. Her presence in the fashion world was so impactful on culture, she single-handedly changed fashion and brought modern punk to the world, which no one had done before. This Paris Fashion Week 2023 marks the first show without her and it was definitely an emotional one.
Photo: Salvatore Dragone via Vogue Runway
Westwood’s husband, Andreas Kronthaler, is now the one to carry on her legacy. He designed this collection alongside her and she specifically picked this line to present at Paris Fashion Week. However, this is not the last of her works, she designed one more collection that will debut in London sometime soon.
The entire show was a tribute to Westwood, starting with a look consisting of a blouse with Vivienne’s face printed on it and Kronthaler’s initials over a heart. The show continued with many bright colors, patterns, and the fashion house’s signature use of tulle, lace and loud patterns.
Photo: Salvatore Dragone via Vogue Runway
One of Kronthaler’s biggest tributes to Westwood in the collection where the skirts. Westwood had always loved skirts and the way they lay and move on the body. There is a certain element of femininity to skirts, but there is also so much freedom with their design, silhouette, and shape. There were so many different kinds of skirts during the show, from mini skirts to maximalist, patterned, and overall eye-catching pieces.
Photo: Salvatore Dragone via Vogue Runway
One of Vivienne’s muses, Sara Stockbridge, made a very emotional appearance during the show with tears running down her cheeks as she closed the show. However, the final look meant a lot to Kronthaler and it also would to Vivienne herself as Westwood’s grandaughter, Cora Corre, closed the show in a beautiful bridal look. The look was made out of a white lace sculpturing a mini bodice dress paired with high-boots, hair clips, and a bouquet of white daffodils that was tossed at the end.
Kronthaler said, “Today felt very supportive” when looking at everyone who was in the crowd. There were many celebrity sightings with Jared Leto, Julia Fox, and Halsey at the show. Jean Paul Gaultier was also seen in the audience, he has said many times that Vivienne Westwood was a muse for himself with her punk movement that she started.
Photo: Salvatore Dragone via Vogue Runway
When Westwood was still alive, she and Kronthaler collected many antique fabrics which he ended up using for this line. He wanted to give the fabrics a new life and create something new out of something old and connect the past and the present.
Photo: Salvatore Dragone via Vogue Runway
The collection is quite beautiful and I believe it would make Westwood proud of her husband for putting together the show and ensuring that she is still incorporated. This was a way for him to cope as he stated, “It is my very personal tribute to her. I think it's a very helpful process to go through something like this. I can create a new situation for myself.”