Mood board: On Friday, the UK’s schoolchildren marched from schools to protest political inaction on climate change. Throughout fashion week, the environmentalist group Extinct Rebellion is peacefully protesting unsustainable practices used in the luxury industry. Vivienne Westwood is well versed in environmental issues and uses her label to bolster awareness on sociopolitical issues, from freedom of speech to fracking.
Her A/W 2019 runway show, held at a resplendent church in Westminster’s St John Smith’s Square, was her most polemical to date. The catwalk show featured apocalyptic and impassioned spoken sermons on climate change, Brexit, corrupt governments and our spin into self-destruction. ‘Something has to happen now. If not, we’re all dead’ said the first mic'd-up male model who opened the show. It was a stirring start to a politically poignant and rousing event.
Team work: Westwood’s show concept usurped the idea of the mute model, with some akin to political performance art. Hers stood proudly on stage delivering, at times, uncomfortable comments to the audience. ‘The world is bankrupt’ one stated. On the rousing roster? #MeToo activist actress Rose McGowan, John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace UK, Fred Harrison, author and policy advisor and model, actress and activist Sara Stockbridge.
Best in show: ‘Vivienne does the best trousers’ one male model confided to the audience. The collection that accompanied her show’s statement speeches was a testament to this, and featured the greatest hits of her signature pieces: check and tartan tailoring, draped gowns, protest T-shirts and knitwear. Cue ironic accessories too. An ‘I heart crap’ tote bag bolstered Westwood’s anti-fast fashion message. ‘Buy less, choose more’ was a lasting missive from the show.
Vivienne Westwood A/W 2019.
-
The great American museum boomNine of the world’s top ten most expensive, recently announced cultural projects are in the US. What is driving this investment, and is this statistic sustainable?
-
Here’s how Heathrow is reimagining airport chaos as ambient musicGrammy-nominated Jordan Rakei turns travel noise into a meditative soundtrack by sampling everything from baggage belts to jet engines
-
Wallpaper* checks into Gansevoort Meatpacking, an art-filled hotel that mirrors the district’s glow-upThis sharp, stylish New York hotel is a fixture in its neighbourhood, where boutiques, restaurants and clubs have long since taken over spaces once occupied by slaughterhouses
-
Inside Louis Vuitton’s Murakami London pop-up, a colourful cartoon wonderland with one-of-a-kind caféWallpaper* takes a tour of the Louis Vuitton x Murakami pop-up in London’s Soho, which celebrates the launch of a new ‘re-edition’ accessories collection spanning the greatest hits from the Japanese artist’s long-running collaboration with the house
-
Get to know Issey Miyake’s innovative A-POC ABLE line as it arrives in the UKAs A-POC ABLE Issey Miyake launches in London this week, designer Yoshiyuki Miyamae gives Wallpaper* the lowdown on the experimental Issey Miyake offshoot
-
Margaret Howell London Fashion Week Women's S/S 2019 -
London Fashion Week S/S 2023: Ahluwalia to Martine RoseThough slimmed-down, London Fashion Week nonetheless provided the moments of creative expression the city is known for – from Ahluwalia’s ode to Africa to Martine Rose’s much-anticipated runway return
-
Discover these fashion brands at London Craft WeekDuring London Craft Week, fashion brands including Smythson, Bally and Serapian are hosting events across the capital
-
Nicholas Daley's multicultural roots celebrated in London -
V&A spotlights the sartorial and social significance of the kimonoFor the latest endeavour of London's Victoria and Albert Museum, Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk explores the evolution of the iconic Japanese garment
-
Erdem A/W 2020 London Fashion Week Women's
