"You have a much better life if you wear impressive clothes." Vivienne WestwoodAll the Fashion Blog readers living in the San Francisco area (which basically means me) will be jumping for joy when they hear that the de Young Museum will be hosting "Vivienne Westwood: 36 Years in Fashion." This tribute to Westwood's extraordinary career will run from March 3 to June 10, 2007, and is the only American stop on its international tour. Organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the exhibition will showcase pieces ranging from punk to haute couture. If you have time, I would also suggest checking the de Young calendar for several events, such as art history lectures and films, leading up to this exhibition.
For those who aren't familiar with her work, Vivienne Westwood revolutionized fashion in the 1970's by inventing punk style. She owned a shop in London with her husband, Sex Pistols manager Malcom McLaren, and gained notoriety when the band members started wearing her clothes during their performances. She transitioned to the runways and continued making her ready-to-wear, as well as couture collections, in her signature non-conformist style. Always edgy and unique, Westwood is still known as "one of the most influential designers of our time."
