Precious pieces of punk fashion icon Vivienne Westwood’s jewellery collection are about to tour around the world – and Wellington is getting the first look.
Dame Vivienne – named by Sky Arts as one of the most influential British artists of the last 50 years – died in 2022 at the age of 81.
The late British designer brought punk fashion into the mainstream, with her work worn by some of the world’s biggest stars, including David Bowie and Dua Lipa.
More than 550 custom-made designs spanning 40 years of Dame Vivienne’s career travelled thousands of kilometres to Te Papa ahead of the exhibit.
Designer Alexander Krenn, a longtime friend of Dame Vivienne, travelled from the fashion line’s head office in London to oversee the finishing touches.
“Her energy is here, and her thoughts are here,” he said of the exhibit.
Items in the upcoming exhibition are stored in the fashion line’s archives, meaning they can’t be seen anywhere else.
“This is just a spectacular opportunity for New Zealanders to indulge themselves in all things Vivienne Westwood,” Te Papa senior curator Claire Regnault said.
“It is a really special occasion.”
She said “90% of the show” features one-off bespoke pieces – most of which were “made for catwalk shows”.
Her unorthodox designs – inspired by history, 18th century French art, and activism – incorporated everything from coins and chicken bones to beer cans and chestnuts.
The installation at Te Papa began last month.
“It was one of those things – right timing, right place, our schedules fitted together,” Regnault said.
“So that’s why we were very lucky to be number one on the tour.”
The exhibit was delayed by a month after a shipping mishap.
“We had one container that took a little holiday on a port that it shouldn’t have,” she said.
Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery opens its doors from today.
