The Rise and Rise of Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood started as a designer after meeting Malcolm McClaren in 1965, but it really wasn't until the 2000's that she really started to find financial success with her business after iconic catwalk moments like the Naomi Campbell fall of Autumn Winter 1993 finally propelled her into a household name. Vivienne has been well established in the fashion world significantly before this, before even the British Fashion Council was forced to recognise her in 1990. So why did it take so long for Vivienne Westwood take so long to be taken seriously by the fashion elite or by the public? And how did she get to that point?
#viviennewestwood #fashion #fashionhistory
Beauty Channel: / @underskinyt
Patreon: patreon.com/understitch

[@understitchYT]

Since this video was released Vivienne Westwood has unfortunately passed away. I hope this video serves as a reminder of her legacy as one of the best British fashion designers of all time. Rest in peace Vivienne ❤️

[@alexandrameier5038]

Literally just heard about it, and then this video got suggested to me again almost immediately! I am just speechless and sad. What a designer, what a woman, what a legend.

[@giuspagano]

rip queen😭

[@london8615]

Rest in peace to the Queen of England

[@susiex6669]

My favorite designer of all time. I didnt just like her clothes and accessories but genuinely liked her as a person. Self taught, great talent and the only one to stay relevant after the death of 70s punk. I dont like to wear logos on my clothes but would gladly advertise Vivienne Westwood. She will be sadly missed!

[@understitchYT]

@@susiex6669 And lets be honest, most people in the public eye, if they live long enough have some kind of scandal that makes them fall from grace, or they lose their fame for whatever reason. She never did either and that just earns my respect so much

[@wongfrancis]

Thank you for summing up the career of this iconic lady in a digestible (less than) 17 minutes ! She's one of a kind in the world of fashion. Unlike many luxury designer brands which charge exorbitant prices, Vivienne Westwood clothes and her other products are comparatively more affordable, I have a few items which I often enjoy wearing years after years, and they make strong fashion statements.

[@understitchYT]

I originally had reams of pages written and forced myself to cut it down. Unfortunately a fair bit was lost in the cut, like the pricing of the products, but ultimately wasnt paramount to the story. Like, did you know in Asia the brand is not positioned as a luxury label at all? Its positioned much more like a accessible/mid-luxury product and actually outside of Japan, and a few core products, they market and present the brand completely differently which is one of the reasons for the relatively lower sales in comparison to who we would see as her competitors? (Though really they arent competitors in Asia, and even Coach is seen as more of a luxury offering than Vivienne who is more on par with designer diffusion labels, often being placed next to brands like cath kidston). Woah, sorry for the ramble, Im so glad you enjoyed the video

[@wongfrancis]

@@understitchYT you have described it so accurately. Here in Hong Kong, VW is not considered a main stream high luxury brand, it is marketed much like the likes of Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, coach etc. Those who only have eyes for top luxury brands such as Chanel and Hermès would scoff at VW as trash, to each their own. If one picks wisely VW offers some super cool and quirky items at a reasonable price. VW has a cult following in Japan, they hold her in very high regards. The manga character Nana is depicted often wearing VW. Coach may be a luxury brands for some, but it pales in comparison with VW, in terms of fun and quirky.

[@understitchYT]

Oh youre in Hong Kong! I adore it there, though the last time I came was during that huge hurricane that wrecked the pier and shut down disneyland, so a couple years ago now. But yeah, its so interesting how in England she is one of the most respected designers because of her style, longevity and impact, but I assume because most asian countries didnt see it directly that gravitas is lost, whcih is a shame because she is of course so important to design history

[@wongfrancis]

@@understitchYT here in Asia it's a lot about status and vanity, they're more inclined towards items that are outrageously expensive (although may not match the quality), more so than the actual style. If VW was as ridiculously expensive as Balenciaga (the expensive Zara, lol! ), then they will favor it. I hope you can do some videos on Yohji Yamamoto and Issey Mikaye. Like VW, they too are unique and iconic.

[@tokiibun]

I clicked on this assuming it had thousands of views, and was so surprised when i saw the view count!! Quality work

[@understitchYT]

Thank you, this is my best performing video so far, so hopefully upwards from here 🫶

[@ruth_morse]

I would die for one of her corsets, this women single-handedly brought historic fashion to the modern consumers, and I love her for it. I was really surprised with the amount of views, the video deserves much more than that. Thank you for the quality content, will binge-watch everything and patiently wait for more. P.S. Just a suggestion, but I’d love to see a video about Alexander McQueen one day. He’s my favorite designer, so I just want more content about him. His tragic life and short, but incredibly impactful career deserve even more coverage.

[@understitchYT]

I agree she is an absolute genius, mad respect for her, Oh yeah McQueen is a genius too, I absolutely will do a video on the company, but Im not a huge fan of Sarah Burton and I dont want to talk that negatively about a company I love so much 🥺

[@ruth_morse]

@@understitchYT I don’t know about Sarah all that much, apart from the fact, that she used to work for McQueen before “inheriting” his company, and she also made a wedding dress for Kate Middleton (?), so I’ll be really interested in learning more. And you don’t have to cover her time with McQueen’s all that much anyway. I feel like talking about Lee would be more than enough, since he was the genius behind AM’s most prominent collections.

[@understitchYT]

Shes so important for the company being the first successor, so Id definitey talk about her, I know so many people really love her too and I can see why her designs are more commercially viable than Alexanders were (and I LOVE the available pieces from the SS22 collection)

[@ruth_morse]

@@understitchYT I’ve seen some of it, but I don’t really follow McQueen those days, can’t stop comparing the two and we both know who wins. I have a knock-off dress, made for me by a friend from the design from pre-fall 2013 collection (it’s big, black and I could play a nun in it). She has a style, but it’s too modest for me nowadays. Actually, I would be delighted to learn more, please, I need this video 🙏🏻

[@understitchYT]

@@ruth_morse i think thats the problem that I have with Burton is that she is unmemorable in comparison. I dont know how many people really follow the brand anymore because of it. It was a tough act to follow and I dont think there was any way she could surpass his iconic image, which is a shame because she is clearly talented. Okay, youve convinced me to do one 🤣 Now to find out if theyre still showing in London (because I have no idea)

[@Sylviethevegetarian]

It’s my dream to own a vintage Vivienne Westwood piece! This video was so sick, instantly subscribed. Thank you!!!

[@understitchYT]

Im so glad you enjoyed it! It would be such a dreammmm to own vintage VW fsfs

[@andrewjones9991]

At first I read this as The Rise and Fall... I was about to get on here and say "FALL! She has never had a fall!"

[@understitchYT]

And lets hope it stays that way, eouldnt want her to get hurt 🤕

[@GrandmaRose9000]

Viv made a skirt for me in the 70's. Still have it. And it still fits! She's a real one.

[@understitchYT]

You came over to my fashion channel 🥰

[@artistrenibifamovon]

Real

[@missmerbear]

She really is a national treasure of Britain. So iconic. And she was a teacher I love that. Love your channel. Just Watched the mugler one as well. ❤

[@understitchYT]

I agree, a real icon. Im glad you enjoyed my videos 🙌

[@joliev1]

WOW!!! This was absolutely superb. Bravo!!! What a genius Vivienne Westwood. I have a lot of her old pieces. I love them like they were my own children. I had NO idea the collab with Keith Haring which led to Madonnas skirt on Borderline video. WOW!!! Keep putting up great content. A huge fan here! 💋❤️❤️‍🔥

[@understitchYT]

Im so glad you enjoyed the video Jolie 🥰 and thank you for commenting, you made my afternoon 🫶

[@vikkibear420]

Great video, I didn’t even know about vivienne until I watched nana and it’s what made me want to buy her designs because if the show

[@understitchYT]

I need to watch this anime! Youre the third person to comment about it, so I looked it up and it looks so good!i feel like Im going to love it and regret not putting it in the video 🤣

[@may.k_me]

Coming back to rewatch this after the sad news of her passing

[@understitchYT]

It came as such a surprise to me, she was such an icon 😢

[@zdoriksandorik]

Oh this one might be my fav one of yours yet! I've always loved Vivienne Westwood, because the kind of clothes she was making were simply magical to me. This was really past the point where she was associated with punk fashions, and was more renowned for the beauty of the corsetry and the baroque rococco fasions. Excellent video!

[@understitchYT]

Im so glad to hear you like it so much! Im so proud of this video because of the work that went into it to make it really my first hit. Love viviennes work so much, so thank you for commenting to let me know 💕

[@gordonw4542]

Hi Understitch, Thank you so much for covering Westwood in a highly research video. Your videos are beyond excellence. Vivienne Westwood was only designer to evener lived that put both women and men point of view often in the same design. She pick up this ability from being a school teacher. wow.

[@understitchYT]

I wish to redo this video in the future, because it’s not in the same level of detail as I pride myself in including today

[@gordonw4542]

Hi understitch, please don't waste your time on a designer you have cover so well. Use that time to do profile on Gilbert Adrian a Hollywood costumer designer who works influenced the like Mugler and Azzadina Alaia. cheers

[@mmcanhaoable]

Binge watching your channel tonight. Loving all the videos

[@understitchYT]

Thank you so much!! These older ones all need redoing though 😂

[@arthurgomes3608]

thanks for making such a great video!

[@understitchYT]

Thanks for watching 😇

[@jonathanmitchell9886]

I knew there had to be color photos of the Paradise Garage shopfront somewhere! Thank you.

[@understitchYT]

Gotchu 🤌

[@db7499]

What a welcomed channel. Can't wait to check out more

[@understitchYT]

So glad you enjoyed the video ^^

[@valesc11]

Such an interesting video ❤ I knew V.W bc of the anime NANA 🍓

[@understitchYT]

Ngl I had to google this, but it doesnt surprise me she was featured in anime. Vivienne had such a huge influence in Japan, so much so that there were several academic journals written on the topic that I used to reference for this video

[@macarenagonzalez6743]

@@understitchYTI was about to say!!! She influenced BLAST (a band in the anime nana) the lead singer of this band in the anime always wore Vivienne Westwood

[@plainrosiejane]

subbed. absolutely adore this essay. 💖hope to see more.

[@understitchYT]

Thank you so much, Im so glad to hear you enjoy my content 🙂

[@JLT_-up7sn]

Great video and great quality!! 💝

[@understitchYT]

Thank you so much 😇

[@aptdccvii]

such a well done video!! thank u

[@understitchYT]

Thank you for watching 😇

[@Sohotchic]

Absolutely loved this video, all the details and images you included were amazing!! Just subscribed 💕💕💕 slay

[@understitchYT]

Tysm, so glad you enjoyed it so much to comment 💘

[@swizzzing123]

Just brilliant quality work! 😍

[@understitchYT]

Thank you so much 😇

[@ellaweiss4600]

this video was really good! glad to be your 500 subscriber!

[@understitchYT]

Thank you so much!! Heres to hopefully many more 💕💕💕

[@takemeseriouslynt]

Good job on your image choice, you're def going to get a lot followers

[@understitchYT]

Thank you so much, thats really kind of you to say

[@Brian-sh4sm]

BRAVO great documentary !😊

[@understitchYT]

Thank you so much 🥰

[@zoe-kt6ef]

so interesting great video!

[@understitchYT]

Glad you enjoyed 😇

[@jhondrawvolta8481]

Thank you for this.

[@understitchYT]

Thank you for watching

[@wilsel1394]

You're very good at this.

[@understitchYT]

Thats very kind tysm 😇

[@user-li1hi1ls8r]

your channel is gonna go viral fr

[@understitchYT]

I would absolutely love that, but I suppose only time will tell, YT can be quite unpredictable

[@dw7708]

Big fan of all your videos

[@understitchYT]

Thank you so much 😇

[@Jigstheclown]

great video :)

[@understitchYT]

Thank you so much 😇

[@carolconner9216]

Fabulous - thank you!

[@understitchYT]

Thank you for watching and commenting 💕

[@gee_emm]

7:03 Lol. Nadja Auremann was not at the Pirates show in 1981. She was 10 years old at the time! Still, it’s so nice that this channel has so much love for fashion history. BTW, she wasn’t totally ‘commando’ when collecting her OBE; there was a green metallic fig leaf placed just so, for modesty!

[@understitchYT]

Thank you so much, Ill blur it out when I get home. I always try to double check my images when theyre this difficult to find as this show was but it came up multiple times! So annoying! But Im really grateful you let me know

[@understitchYT]

I just checked it, she is used as an example of the new romantic look, not specifically that collection

[@mysteriousfun4759]

She has never fallen and I am still haunted by her fashion playing card campaign that makes me question of my reality living through Canada's 2022 wage and housing crisis.

[@ianw5464]

Nice piece on an iconic designer. Her 80's period still shapes some modern fashion

[@understitchYT]

Could not agree more, her 80s catwalks were some of the most influential shows to make fashion the spectacle that we see today. Glad to see you back in the comments 🙌

[@linam4249]

Super interesting video! I hope the algorithm works in your favour :)

[@understitchYT]

Hagjdhkjbduo thank you, going better than my other videos so far so Im very grateful to the powerful one for that

[@minh0828]

please do courreges next!

[@understitchYT]

Courreges is super interesting!

[@fannyalexander5906]

What an iconic lady. 👑

[@OpinionatedMatt]

4:57 WHAT? That’s insane!

[@ZeeshanKhan-et2kx]

Really interesting video! What are your thoughts on her instagram post about the queen?

[@understitchYT]

I think everyone's entitled to whatever opinion they want on the matter honestly, the queen has overseen great things, both good and bad, so its no wonder she has supporters and people that don't like her. Whichever way one chooses to take the letter (either in support or sarcastically against) it wouldve offended someone because of this. It seems that vivienne is getting hate for it from both sides and honestly I dont think she cares, her marketing is all about being unapologetic in expressing opinions, so this is just an extension of that and shes used to getting backlash for it. My opinion is indifference, I simply dont think it was offensive enough to either side to care about, if anything the letter was a bit of a meek way to express an opinion imo.

[@sinenhlanhlachauke2218]

Rest in Punk dear Vivienne ❤

[@lucia-di-lammermoor]

Amazing!!

[@understitchYT]

Thank you 😇

[@elainebines6803]

At the time I preferred Biba in Kensington. FRENCH connection and Benetton too but sadly declined

[@understitchYT]

Biba's revival was so interesting to me as someone from a retailing background

[@georgia8592]

Rest in peace Vivienne Westwood 💜

[@understitchYT]

Hopefully her legacy will continue for decades to come

[@missbellaiza]

Please do Alexander McQueen and Rick owens 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@understitchYT]

McQueen is coming 🙌

[@missbellaiza]

@@understitchYT ahhhh yay I cannot wait!

[@hallson2917]

Vivienne Westwood- R.I.P!

[@understitchYT]

🙏

[@nataliesisler497]

so good

[@understitchYT]

Thank you 😊

[@thesupremeveggieburger427]

The Tank ! You didnt mention her driving a tank to the ministers house

[@understitchYT]

I didnt mention a lot of things, I want to redo the video

[@uwu-xl8mm]

this video deserves an OSCAR

[@understitchYT]

Thank you so much 🙏🙏

[@rsswd]

Wait, what? The late 1970s/1980s nightclub Paradise Garage often cited as influential and groundbreaking in dance music history may have been named after a Westwood/McClaren creation?

[@understitchYT]

Well, it existed before, Im not sure what date it was founded, but they were given a small section in the back. But I wouldnt be at all surprised if that is what made them so successful in the music scene simply because it wasn't long before they took over the whole store

[@S0NiC32]

Wow that Sex Pistols connection is crazy

[@understitchYT]

Its amazing that something so iconic doesnt get the creative behind them much or any credit rly

[@spencer8521]

How do you make your videos?

[@understitchYT]

I spend a good 2-4 days minimum researching and scripting (more for bigger brands like this, they have more complicated histories), at least another day editing the script, then filming takes half hour, editing on FCP for a couple more days. Its very lengthy but I love it 😇

[@jacovawernett3077]

I know. L'chaim from Jerusalem. My first punk bank was the cramps.

[@understitchYT]

L’chaim! Thank you for watching 😇

[@jacovawernett3077]

@@understitchYT 🙏

[@Faye-Jane]

Rest in peace 🕊️

[@theghostofjosephinebaker1079]

Would you do one on miguel adrover?🥰

[@understitchYT]

I definitely might in the future, hes such an important person in terms of branding and copyright within fashion, thanks for the suggestion 😜

[@catschorus4684]

Not sure all your facts are quite accurate. The Madonna skirt in no way propelled Vivienne into the mainstream or saw product sales soar. Madonna was simply a fan of Westwood's clothes and bought it on a visit to London in the early 80's. The reason she closed Nostalgia of Mud and went to Italy was that the company was bankrupt.

[@understitchYT]

Yes, unfortunately though the products did see a large upturn in sales it wasn’t really enough to keep the business profitable. Really the company didn’t turn a real profit until the 90s after they changed their business model quite a lot. But I stand by what I said because its relative to the business and success the business was seeing at the time, she had no way of knowing how much more her business would become, so for the company then, it was a huge uptake in sales and a massive push into being a well known designer by the masses. Thank you for your comment and I hope you enjoyed the video 🫶

[@BlowUpTheOutsideWorld]

QUEEN

[@understitchYT]

This is either a compliment for Vivienne, a compliment for me, or an insult for me and I'm here for all three gbsfiaklvbhdufib

[@BlowUpTheOutsideWorld]

@@understitchYT the first one

[@I_ourien]

rest in peace to this true queen

[@stormbourbon8379]

*I'm going down in history, Pats, as the woman that put Princess Anne in a Vivienne Westwood basque!*

[@understitchYT]

Is this ab fab? I loved that show as a kid!

[@stormbourbon8379]

@@understitchYT Cheers, darling! From my fave episode, "Fashion"! This, and "What, still in my dressing gown? She knows NOTHING about fashion, darling, I'm on my way AS WE SPEAK!"

[@dgotguts]

My favorite designer🥹 rest in peace.

[@understitchYT]

Truly, an extremely talented person

[@user-wv9yz3ix2k]

A giant in fashion industry will miss her dearly

[@understitchYT]

Agreed

[@usaintltrade]

😇🙏

[@sadsadsadlady9812]

I would love to have a pair of her rocking horse shoes someday

[@understitchYT]

I had a pair when i was younger and theyre surprisingly comfortable

[@ronniedark5306]

I swear I clicked to comment 'She's not fallen, never fell and hope she won't fall' Good clickbait

[@understitchYT]

I hope the business never falls!!! Rise and RISE FOREVER!!

[@MR.AYRAL9]

♡♡♡♡

[@understitchYT]

🫶🫶🫶🫶

[@artistrenibifamovon]

Regards

[@understitchYT]

Pleasure seeing you around these parts

[@KissAthenaa]

Rip 2 the queen👑❤️‍🔥

[@understitchYT]

💔

[@mistymushka768]

Fashion. A way to allow bullying over what people wear. Not what they choose to wear. But by what they can afford to wear. Fuck fashion in this day and age!

[@understitchYT]

If thats how you feel then thats also valid. Unfortunately cost is a huge issue at the moment in every industry, as the rich get richer, the costs get higher, but as the poor (like me) get poorer everything becomes less inclusive, even to the high street level. But really, theres no need to engage with purchasing at all, to enjoy fashion doesnt mean you have to buy it 🤷 If you do choose to buy, there are plenty of designers who actively try to make their clothing as affordable as possible. Telfar and Kanye West are two huge names that try very hard to be affordable, while brands like KidSuper or even Vivienne Westwood to an extent pass on any costs saved to the consumer. There is always something for everyone in fashion if thats something youre interested in. If not, there is nothing wrong with buying second hand, vintage or just high street.

[@bltotrs92]

cool that she supported assange

[@understitchYT]

She was very vocal about it too

[@sleepysartorialist]

Why did you need to skip over the husband??? I haven't heard of him that's interesting too dammit

[@understitchYT]

Ahhh Im sorry, 16 minutes for over 50 years was so hard!

[@Callmecaleb1]

So did she make punk clothing in 1974?

[@understitchYT]

I think all her clothes were punk in a way

[@kappanova680]

nana

[@understitchYT]

mama

[@JLT_-up7sn]

@@understitchYT so true 🙌🙌

[@chalaedit]

hachi

[@fiftyclown]

Sorry, I really disagree with VW as a label being in a "rise", firstly the ethics in the general work environment at the brand is really dismal at the minute from people I know who worked there and AK is doing absolutely nothing for a brand that is supposed to be pioneering subculture, activism and progression, worrying supposing he is taking over V when she passes and already designs most the mainline pieces. Not to mention their image, strategy and campaigns have been completely swallowed by cheap trend-driven motivations, irrelevant pop-culture tiktok aesthetics, and their lines are full of green-washing and mostly uninspired garments that do not scream punk in any sense at all, as viv naturally falls out of touch the company having no long term strategy is very apparent. A shame for a brand with such important heritage and such a large voice. Her history is important but I believe we should focus on the future of fashion rather than rehashing the same glory stories to keep undeserving brands relevant.

[@understitchYT]

So you think someone else would be better brought in to reinvent the brand, or just better company management?

[@fiftyclown]

@@understitchYT both, good management means nothing without good clothes, vice versa , they have neither at the minute lol

[@understitchYT]

@@fiftyclown They havent innovated in a while, that is true, it's very important for a fashion brand to stay relevant, so they should consider innovating soon lest they fall into obsolescence in a few years

[@selenajade]

wait isn’t vivienne horribly classist

[@understitchYT]

I dont think so, Ive never read that about her and shes never tried to get rid of her accent or be anyone other than who she is

[@ithoughtiwouldbeunderstood7050]

🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸

[@taevil1593]

Rip for Vivienne💔💧

[@understitchYT]

She will be missed for sure