Nine West, in partnership with Macy's and Vogue will deliver three distinct limited edition capsule collections designed by fashion innovators Vivienne Westwood, Thakoon and Sophia Kokosalaki beginning this month. The Vivienne Westwood collection has already debuted.
These collaborations add a new, exciting element to the Nine West brand. The exclusive lines bring high-end designer fashion to the public at a more affordable cost. The designers were also given full creative control over their collection, which are comprised of eleven pieces each including shoes, handbags and ready-to-wear accessories.
"Many American celebrities wear Vivienne Westwood clothes, and while the name is well known in the States, few American women have had access to the clothes or accessories," Westwood explains. "Teaming up with Nine West gives the opportunity to many more American women to discover what it feels like to wear Vivienne Westwood."
Vivienne Westwood Vintage Fashion Guild Label Resource bio contributed by founding member Lizzie of fuzzylizzie.com:
(1941) Vivienne Westwood partnered with Malcolm McLaren, manager of the Sex Pistols, in 1969 to open their first shop, "Let It Rock," in London's Kings Road. Through the 1970s, their shop went through a number of name changes, but the focus was always on street culture, and as such was on the forefront of the punk movement. In 1974, their shop was called "Sex," and in 1976, "Seditonaries." By this time the punk movement was in full force, and although Westwood's designs were quite shocking, many of her ideas filtered down to mainstream fashion.
In 1981, Westwood began a new phase of her career. Her store was renamed World's End, a name it retains to this day. She had become increasingly interested in historical dress, and her first attempt at redefining an historical culture came with her acclaimed Pirate collection. This was followed by Savages, Hoboes and Witches. In 1985, she explored the Victorian crinoline in her Mini-Crini collection, and two years later she explored traditional British tailoring in Harris Tweed.
This interest in traditional British themes led her to the Anglomania collection of 1993, which included designs using a tartan that she designed. In the same year, the Red label was started as a younger, sassier version of her gold label. Today, Westwood continues to create clothes that are sexy, inventive and fresh.
You can also check out Ms. Westwood's current exhibit going on now through September 24, 2006 at TCDC - Thailand Creative & Design Center. The TCDC, in collaboration with London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, is organizing the “Vivienne Westwood” exhibition featuring the retrospective of Vivienne Westwood, one of the most influential fashion designers of the last 30 years.
