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Vivienne Westwood is a true eccentric Brit. She has long used patriotic elements in her fashion designs, so who better to design a Queen’s Jubilee inspired dress collection than Vivienne Westwood. The Queen’s upcoming Diamond Jubilee is influencing design all across the board, and coupled with the London Olympics, summer 2012 is the time to Rule Britannia.
Westwood’s capsule collection will launch in May. Westwood says that it is inspired by gowns previously worn by the Queen, but I think that must be a loose use of ‘inspired’. That said, the gowns are beautifully cut for all out glamour with an unmistakeable hint of Westwood sex appeal. Ten frocks make up the collection of both mini and maxi dresses, using taffeta, silk satin, crepe de chine and georgette. The colour palette is fairly subdued using greys, coral, power pink and aqua.
Highlights from the collection include delicate Grecian-inspired cocktail dresses and tutu style longline pink and grey gowns. Westwood’s trademark ruching creates flattering, feminine silhouettes. There are also four pairs of chandelier style earrings for the finishing touch. I love every single piece from this collection.
Vivienne Westwood was made a Dame in the Queen’s 2006 Honours List and frequently uses the Union Jack and crown motifs in her designs. Her SS12 Gold Label collection is inspired by the three C’s – China, corsets and climate change. She created oversized corsets and prints from Chinese flower paintings. Her SS12 Red Label collection acts as a voice to fight to save the rainforest. The fashion show promoted the work of Cool Earth, a charity that has worked with indigenous Rainforest people to protect 2.5 million acres in the Western Amazon and block the advance of illegal logging.
Vivienne Westwood doesn’t just design clothes, she designs messages. What is the Royal Jubilee collection trying to say?
