Vivienne Westwood's fashionable funeral: Victoria Beckham and Kate Moss lead star-studded arrivals
On Thursday, a league of stars descended upon Southwark Cathedral to pay their respects to the late great fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood. The legendary British designer passed away on 29 December. In a statement posted on Instagram, her eponymous fashion house explained: "Vivienne Westwood died today, peacefully and surrounded by her family, in Clapham, South London."
Esteemed British celebrities including Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, Helena Bonham Carter and Elle Fanning were among the well-known faces in attendance at her funeral, while fashion industry veterans such as Zandra Rhodes, Edward Enniful, Andreas Kronthaler, Suzy Menkes and Bella Freud honored Westwood's history-making legacy.
The designer is one of the most iconic and referenced in history, and the story of how she began her namesake label is steeped in cultural importance. Influenced by acts of rebellion and typical 1950s clothing, music, and memorabilia, a young Vivienne Westwood and her then partner Malcolm McLaren (manager of the Sex Pistols) opened a small boutique called Let it Rock at number 430 Kings Road, Chelsea in London in 1971. She is widely considered the founder of the punk fashion movement.
Read on to see which stars honoured Vivienne Westwood at her memorial…
Victoria Beckham
Victoria Beckham was one of many paying her respects to the iconic designer. The former Spice Girl stepped out in a gothic all-black outfit with a chevron knit fabric, consisting of an ebony lace floor-length dress featuring long sleeves, a high neckline, a punctuated exterior and a mermaid train.
MORE: Iconic fashion designer Vivienne Westwood dies, aged 81
Helena Bonham Carter
Helena Bonham Carter sported a print that has become synonymous with Westwood's designers – tartan. The actress looked phenomenal in a red tartan skirt suit boasting a corseted bust with contrasting purple hues. She completed her attire by stepping out in some chunky flatform brogues and a string of pearls brandishing the designer's orb insignia.
READ: Helena Bonham Carter and Richard E. Grant appear emotional as they discuss death of his wife
Kate Moss
Legendary nineties supermodel Kate Moss was a regular on Westwood's scandalous runways and over the years the two formed a close friendship. The star wore a floral satin dress layered under a velvet duster for the heartfelt occasion.
MORE: The 11 best Alexander McQueen runway moments of all time
Anna Wintour
Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour paid her respects to her fierce friend alongside Andrew Bolton. The Condé Nast Global Editorial Director looked impossibly elegant in a military-style navy skirt set with a colourful gemstone necklace.
Elle Fanning
Actress Elle Fanning put on a sombre yet sophisticated display in a tailored black blazer that came complete with a ruched midi skirt showcasing asymmetrical bunched ruffle detailing – another style that Westwood popularised during her reign.
MORE: Elle Fanning’s exact Cannes makeup revealed
Lila Moss
Kate Moss' daughter Lila joined her supermodel mother at the touching event. Lila looked timeless in a buttoned little black dress that perfectly fused traditional mourning attire with punkish attitude. She clasped a red love heart bag by the designer, adding a pop of colour to her monochrome aesthetic.
LOOK: Lila Moss channels her mother Kate in sheer gown at the Fashion Awards 2022
Stormzy
Stormzy suited up for the star-studded affair, donning a sleek, black single-breasted blazer with coordinating tailored trousers and a scoop neck tank top.
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Edward Enninful
British Vogue editor Edward Enninful followed suit, layering up in a midnight-toned overcoat and a classically crisp shirt as he exited the venue alongside Chief Business Officer at Condé Nast Britain Vanessa Kingori.
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Andreas Kronthaler
Andreas Kronthaler, Creative Director at Vivienne Westwood and the designer's husband, adorned a charcoal and burgundy poncho with a grey beanie for his late wife's memorial.
In 2016, Kronthaler debuted his first official collection at Paris Fashion Week Autumn-Winter under the name Andreas Kronthaler For Vivienne Westwood, replacing Gold Label. “Over the years Andreas has taken on ever more responsibility and I wish this fact to be reflected in public perception,” Vivienne said at the time. It is understood that Andreas’ tenure at the house will continue following the passing of Dame Vivienne.
Christina Hendricks
Christina Hendricks' homage to Westwood came to fruition in the form of a green tartan belted coat featuring velvet lapels and a crystal-clad bow embellishment.
Lily Cole
Model-activist Lily Cole looked ethereal in a semi-sheer black lace dress featuring an ankle-grazing length, web-like florals and a corset-style neckline.
Jonathan Ross
Jonathan Ross opted for a pop of colour. The presenter wore a cobalt blue knit displaying a skull and crossbones situated beside text that read 'No Future,' in true nihilist Westwood fashion.
Tracy Emin
Tracy Emin looked low-key in an olive green coat and a tartan scarf as she left the cathedral. The iconic British artist, who championed Westwood's radicalism, shared a close relationship with the designer. The pair became firm friends after meeting at a Vogue shoot in the summer of 1999. "Within days I became her muse," Emin wrote following the punk pioneer’s death.
Lady Amelia Windsor
Lady Amelia Windsor clasped one of the designer's most iconic handbag designs, the 'Derby Harlequin,' which was sourced from fashion rental service By Rotation. The colourbomb piece was complemented by an all-black outfit featuring leather knee-high boots and a side-split skirt.
Suzy Menkes
Legendary fashion critic Suzy Menkes debuted a colourbomb concoction to celebrate the designer's penchant for painterly looks. A graffiti-print overcoat boasting cherry red, candy pink and fern green tones exuded punk-perfect pizzaz.
Will Young
Will Young styled it out in a beautiful scarf-style dress boasting Westwood's orb motif and a frescoed baroque print depicting leopard print textures and nude human flesh. The singer slipped into a quirky pair of black and red socks, some graphic lace-up shoes and a navy, tailored overcoat to finesse his fabulous funeral attire.
Vanessa Redgrave
Dame Vanessa Redgrave charmed in beige alongside her daughter Joely Richardson. The acting dynasty duo coordinated looks, with Joely debuting a caramel, sleeveless blazer, colour block tailored trousers and a lime green knit. Her mother exuded casual elegance in a belted coat and Ugg boots.
Zandra Rhodes
Zandra Rhodes paid tribute to her late friend alongside other members of the fashion elite. The designer punctuated a sea of black attendee ensembles by donning a bold red jumpsuit, a leather biker jacket with neon pink embroidery and layers of artisan costume necklaces.
Iris Law
Iris Law, who familiarised herself with Westwood's legacy white starring as Soo Catwoman's in Pistol, served up her signature kitschy-cute style in a baby pink cat bonnet and a black, structured co-ord.
LOOK: Iris Law shows off new blonde pixie hairstyle at Dior SS23 show during Paris Fashion Week
Sir Bob Geldof
Sir Bob Geldof made a rare appearance at the memorial while maintaining a typically cool composure. The rocker redefined the meaning of hipster in a caramel-coloured corduroy overcoat, beige checkered waistcoat and trousers, and a toffee baker boy hat.
Nick Cave
Musician Nick Cave looked suave in a classic tailored suit while sweetly holding hands with his wife fashion designer Susie Cave. The Into My Arms singer maintained a tight-knit relationship with Westwood through his wife, who founded the brand The Vampire's Wife.
Bella Freud
Designer Bella Freud opted for a traditional black outfit with a playful twist. Known for her slogan knits, Freud wore a structured black blazer and a leopard print blouse, accessorising with a gold-embellished bag brandishing her initials.
Georgia May Jagger
Georgia May Jagger channeled noughties nostalgia in a dark grey pinstripe blazer showcasing an oversized fit, paired with a checkered blouse, patent point-toe heels and straight leg trousers.
Katy England
Esteemed stylist, and close friend of Lee McQueen, Katy England sheathed herself in warmth by wrapping up in a classic black belted coat, sheer tights with ribbon detailing, patent slingback pumps and a frilled lace dress.
READ: Kaia Gerber meets her clone in Alexander McQueen’s latest short film
Alexa Chung
Alexa Chung crafted a streamlined aesthetic in a straight-style charcoal overcoat with an additional plume of ostrich feathers adorning her neck. The star recently flew back from New York, where she attended multiple designer shows during fashion week.
DETAILS: Alexa Chung wore a see through dress to New York Fashion Week
Paloma Faith
Paloma Faith sported the most exquisite frock displaying a golden brocade exterior, large sprawling blooms, a dramatically ruffled neckline and a gown-like structure. She matched the stunning garment with some popcorn-effect red clogs and a printed cornflower blue shirt layered under the shimmering dress.
Stephen Jones
Prolific milliner Stephen Jones shared Westwood's enthusiasm for the radical. The designer created hats for the catwalk shows of many leading couturiers and fashion designers, such as Westwood and John Galliano at Dior.
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