Few fashion designers are synonymous with weddings like Vivienne Westwood, whose revolutionary approach — in fashion as well as in life — was fired by her disdain for corruption and injustice, earning her nicknames such as the “high priestess of punk.”
It’s an ethos that may seem at odds with the conspicuous consumption that the bridal industry is associated with. But Westwood, who died in 2022, was also one of the UK’s most revered style icons, and the designs by the British house she founded in 1971 have long appeared on many a bridal Pinterest board.
Through the adept use of draping, corsetry and other details that transform the wearer, Vivienne Westwood’s designs are flattering on the figure. What sets it apart from other labels is its signature punk and subversive aesthetics, consequently appealing to brides who crave something different and unique and want to express their individuality.
Singer Miley Cyrus, burlesque dancer and model Dita von Teese and chef and former model Lorraine Pascale are among the celebrities who have worn a Westwood gown for their wedding day. Even WikiLeaks founder and activist Julian Assange and his wife were outfitted by the designer for their wedding, which took place in the high-security Belmarsh prison in London. (Westwood herself was a longtime supporter of Assange and called for his release from custody.)
“People are drawn to Vivienne Westwood because she stands for something,” the brand’s creative director Andreas Kronthaler, and also the late designer’s husband, wrote to CNN in an email. “She stands for women, and for strength, power and courage.” He added: “The Vivienne Westwood bride is a heroine.”
The Vivienne Westwood dress that Dita Von Teese wore at her 2005 wedding was on display in an exhibition entitled 'Wedding Dresses 1775-2014,' at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
The Vivienne Westwood dress that Dita Von Teese wore at her 2005 wedding was on display in an exhibition entitled 'Wedding Dresses 1775-2014,' at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Tolga Akmen/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Yet, while several brides wearing Vivienne Westwood have been featured in magazines, including Vogue and Elle, perhaps the most memorable example is Carrie Bradshaw (played by Sarah Jessica Parker), who wore a voluminous gown by the label when she was left stilted at the altar in the 2008 “Sex and the City” movie — leading to a dramatic scene in the middle of Manhattan, where she chides her fiancé, Mr. Big, for the humiliation.
One might imagine that to be the last of Bradshaw’s famous dress — but in an unexpected move, it was revived in the second season of series’ reboot “And Just Like That,” when she sought a last-minute look to wear to what it called the “Met Ball.” She gave the dress an update by accessorizing her look with a matching teal cape, gloves and heels. (The television series and sequel aired on HBO, which shares the same parent company as CNN: Warner Bros. Discovery.)
The next big fashion week?
Hoping to capitalize on its renown, Vivienne Westwood staged its first bridal fashion show as part of Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week on Thursday.
Staged at the University of Barcelona and attended by local celebrities including Spanish singer Bad Gyal and Spanish actor Georgina Amorós, 35 new looks — including made-to-order and couture designs — were presented. In true Westwood fashion, these were no ordinary wedding gowns. Several looks veered away from tradition and were not a typical bridal white. There were also shirts, blazers and trousers.
“The collection is a potpourri of past, present and future,” Kronthaler explained. “It’s what we are about. It’s the spirit of the house.”
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