Tributes have poured in overnight from across the fashion sector following the death of the “undisputed queen of British fashion” Vivienne Westwood.
The famous fashion designer died in her London home overnight at the age of 81, her fashion house said tributes have poured in from across the industry to mark her life and work.
Fellow designer Marc Jacobs said he was “heartbroken” and that she “never failed to surprise and to shock”.
Paying tribute to her life and work, he wrote on Instagram: “You did it first. Always. Incredible style with brilliant and meaningful substance. I continue to learn from your words and all of your extraordinary creations.”
Paying tribute to Westwood, fashion designer and Spice Girl Victoria Beckham said: “I’m so sad to learn of the passing of legendary designer and activist Dame Vivienne Westwood. “My thoughts are with her family at this incredibly sad time.”
The Victoria and Albert Museum, which houses some of her works, described Westwood as a “true revolutionary and rebellious force in fashion”.
Culture secretary Michelle Donelan wrote on Twitter: “A sad day. Vivienne Westwood was and will remain a towering figure in British fashion. Her punk style rewrote the rule book in the 1970s and was widely admired for how she stayed true to her own values throughout her life.”
Westwood first rose to prominence in the 1970s when she opened her first fashion store Let It Rock on King’s Road in Chelsea with her then partner Malcolm McLaren, who went on to manage punk band the Sex Pistols.
She went on to dress some of the biggest names in fashion over her career and in 2006 was made a dame for services to fashion.
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