For someone who regularly swatted away the industry that made her, audacious British fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood certainly knew her way around a garment. And she knew how to provoke. “I don’t follow fashion,” Westwood once told the New York Times. “I’ve never been interested in it.” Collectors are certainly interested in her work, and vintage Vivienne Westwood dresses, handbags, lingerie and jackets have become very desirable over the years.
Westwood was born Vivienne Isabel Swire in a village in Derbyshire, in central England, but moved to London as a teen. In the early 1960s, she began to make her own necklaces and other jewelry and met an artist, activist and entrepreneur named Malcolm McLaren. They became involved romantically and she made clothes for him in the style of the Teddy Boys — the city’s music-crazed, occasionally violent teenagers at the time who wore high-waisted trousers and tailored velvet blazers that drew on Edwardian-era fashions.
Westwood and McLaren opened a vintage shop on King’s Road in London in 1971. The flared denim and peasant blouses of the 1960s, then still popular with the “peace and love” set, didn’t hold any weight for Westwood. Instead, she was interested in provocative, edgy apparel. She repaired used clothing and endeavored to create bold new designs from scratch.
Together Westwood and McLaren sold older rock-and-roll records, customized T-shirts with antiestablishment slogans, biker jackets and snug trousers inspired by the Marlon Brando film The Wild One as well as bondage fetish wear. The shop, once called Let It Rock and then Too Fast to Live, Too Young to Die before Sex became a more appropriate moniker, evolved into a youth mecca. The DIY garments — zippered tops, burnt tees emblazoned with anarchist messages — flew off the shelves. More notably, it brought punk to the masses.
Westwood was soon dressing the Sex Pistols, a band that McLaren managed, all the while bridging the gap between music and fashion in a manner that has reverberated throughout the industry for decades.
In 1981, the couple’s first fashion show marked the debut of their Pirate collection — a swashbuckler-themed line that sprang from Westwood’s research into Indigenous Americans and the “power garments” of the Louis XIV era. The collection’s ample proportions and cutting-edge tailoring countered punk’s geometry and tight latex fits as well as what rocker Adam Ant called the “Puritanism” that plagued England at the time. The Pirate collection’s enduring influence on the world of fashion as well as the theatrical work of designers such as John Galliano and Alexander McQueen is undeniable.
For the colorful corsets of her 1990 Portrait collection, Westwood drew on 18th-century oil paintings — her models donned the pearl necklaces that have become a social media star and a favorite of influencers and fashion lovers all over the world. For a jacket-and-shorts suit from her Fall/Winter 1996–97 Storm in a Teacup line, the designer used the extreme asymmetry of a tartan mash-up to confront, according to Westwood, “the horror of uniformity and minimalism.”
The self-taught Westwood enjoyed a rapid ascent in fashion, with British society embracing her looks and Vogue immortalizing them in its glossy pages. She garnered accolades for introducing corsets to the runway and dressed Kate Moss and Helena Bonham Carter. And an original Vivienne Westwood wedding dress is featured in 2008’s Sex and the City film.
The fires of political and environmental activism burned brightly for Westwood: She was a Greenpeace ambassador, having designed the organization’s official “Save the Arctic” logo; her clothing brand is committed to using recycled canvas and other eco-friendly materials in the production process; and in 2020, she protested the extradition of Julian Assange by suspending herself in a bird cage outside London’s Old Bailey court. But she will always be the grande dame of British design.
Find an extraordinary range of vintage Vivienne Westwood shirts, shoes, gowns and other items today on 1stDibs.
1988 Vivienne Westwood Black Velvet and Jersey long sleeve corset - Bustier
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Sheffield, GB
A 1988 Vivienne Westwood boned, velvet & jersey corset, with 3/4 length sleeves and zip fasten closure. Size; Recommended UK 4 - 6. Measurements are provided in inches (‘’) Pit to ...
1992 Vivienne Westwood x Sock Shop Black Toile Sheer Mesh Bodysuit Top
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Sheffield, GB
Iconic 1992 Vivienne Westwood x Sock Shop stretchy mesh Bodysuit. Size XS-S, The Mannequin seen here is a UK 6 and the Body suit fits Perfectly ! Features: Short sleeves ...
Iconic Vivienne Westwood Documented 1992 Black Sheer Mesh Bodysuit Top
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Berlin, BE
The stunning 1992 Vivienne Westwood Boulle bodysuit. Iconic Vivienne Westwood Collectors Piece. Sexy semi sheer black bodysuit featuring the ...
Vivienne Westwood Corset SS 1992 Runway Worn Rare Collectors black lace ICONIC
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Berlin, BE
HOLY GRAIL Vivienne Westwood Spring/Summer 1992 Collection - a piece that fuses historical seduction with punk-era provocation. Rendered in semi sheer mesh and embroidered black lac...
Vivienne Westwood Gold Metallic Lace Corset, fw 1993
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
▪ Archival Vivienne Westwood Corset ▪ Fall-Winter 1993 ▪ Gold metallic lace ▪ Ivory cotton mesh side panels ▪ Built-in boning ▪ Zip closure at the centre-back ▪ Size: UK10 - US6...
Vivienne Westwood Couture red taffeta corset and ballgown skirt, fw 1996
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
▪ Vivienne Westwood evening ensemble ▪ Labelled as a 'SPECIAL ITEM' from Vivienne Westwood's Couture line ▪ Constructed from red taffeta backed with silk o...
Vivienne Westwood floral silk and power mesh corset, fw 1995
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
▪ Vivienne Westwood floral silk corset ▪ Black power mesh ▪ Centre-back zip fastening ▪ UK 8 - EU 36 - US 4 ▪ Fall-Winter 1995
Vivienne Westwood metallic foiled denim corset, jacket and pants, ss 1993
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
▪ A rare Vivienne Westwood 3-piece set ▪ Metallic turquoise foiled denim ▪ Deconstructed finish ▪ Gold orb-etched buttons ▪ Red contrast stitch ▪ Ensemble comprises a corset, jack...
Vivienne Westwood black and gold mesh 'Open 24hrs' corset, fw 1993
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
Vivienne Westwood black mesh corset with 'Open 24hrs' gold leaf print. Internal boning designed to cinch the waist and push the breasts up. Anglomania, Fall-Winter 1993
Vivienne Westwood silver stretch satin long sleeve corset, ss 1992
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
▪ Vivienne Westwood silver stretch-satin corset ▪ Spring-Summer 1992 ▪ Constructed from silver rayon-lycra satin ▪ Built-in corset boning produces a smaller waist and pronounced déc...
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD 00's Iconic Draped Satin Corset
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Milano, MILANO
00's iconic draped satin corset by Vivienne Westwood. Zipper and button closure on the back. The composition is 81% polyamide and 19% elastane.
Vivienne Westwood taupe lace and knitted adjustable bra, ss 1996
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
Vivienne Westwood taupe rib-knit bra with lace trim and drawstring bow fastening Spring-Summer 1996
Vivienne Westwood gold crochet lurex long-sleeve cropped corset, fw 1993
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
▪ Vivienne Westwood corset ▪ Gold crocheted lurex yarn ▪ Built-in boned corset ▪ Long sleeves ▪ Wide neckline ▪ Cropped length ▪ Size Medium ▪ Fall-Winter 1993 ▪ Made in England
Vivienne Westwood metallic silver knitted corset sweater, fw 1993
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
▪ Vivienne Westwood archival corset-sweater ▪ Fall-Winter 1993 ▪ Open-knit in metallic silver yarn ▪ Built-in nude corset ▪ Cutout at the ch...
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD 90's Iconic Short Sleeve Checked Cropped Corset
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Milano, MILANO
90's iconic and rare checked cropped corset by Vivienne Westwood. Peak collar. Zipper closure on the back. Knot on the front. The composition is 100% cotton.
Vivienne Westwood FW 1991 Dressing Up Metallic Boulle Print Satin Corset England
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in BELLEVUE HILL, NSW
Dating to the F/W 1991 'Dressing Up' collection, this stunning Vivienne Westwood corset features a metallic Boulle print inspired by the mirror with Marquetry by André-Charles Boulle...
Vivienne Westwood Couture navy striped silk corset and skirt set, ss 1998
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
▪ Vivienne Westwood Couture navy striped chiffon evening two piece ▪ 100% Silk ▪ Off-shoulder corset with draped neckline ▪ Internal boning designed to cinch the waist and push brea...
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD 00's Iconic Bustier
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Milano, MILANO
2000's iconic bustier by Vivienne Westwood. Floral jacquard fabric. Ruffled shoulder straps. Hidden zip and whalebones. Snap buttons at back. The composition tag is missing, seems to...
Vivienne Westwood red velvet strapless corset, fw 1989
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
▪ Vivienne Westwood strapless corset ▪ Museum piece ▪ Red velvet ▪ Olive lamé bra with wired piping ▪ Center-front zipper ▪ Size XS/S ▪ F...
Vivienne Westwood Corset Iconic Rare 90s Red Label
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Berlin, BE
Extremely rare vintage original Vivienne Westwood corset. A stunning piece of Fashion History. One of the masterfully created iconic Westwood...
Vivienne Westwood black satin corset with metallic gold pattern, ss 1992
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
▪ Vivienne Westwood black satin corset top ▪ Metallic gold classical figures and motifs inspired by furniture jeweler, André-Charles Boul...
Vivienne Westwood white jersey Conduit Street corset, ss 2002
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
▪ Vivienne Westwood corset top ▪ Spring-Summer 2002 ▪ White cotton jersey ▪ Black text print of a Vivienne Westwood flyer, advertising th...
Vivienne Westwood red satin corset with embroidered orb, c. 1990s
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
▪ Vivienne Westwood corset ▪ c. 1990s ▪ Constructed from red stretch-satin ▪ Built-in corset boning ▪ Embroidered orb ▪ Zip fastening ▪ IT 42 - FR 38 - UK 10 ▪ Made in Italy All...
Vivienne Westwood chevron cotton corset with Japanese ukiyo-e print, ss 2000
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
Presenting an exquisite Vivienne Westwood corset top artfully crafted from teal chevron-printed cotton, adorned with a captivating Japanese-inspired ukiyo-e print. This intricate art...
Vivienne Westwood Salon Printed Corset and Denim Shorts Set, ss 1992
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
▪ Archival Vivienne Westwood Corset and Shorts Set ▪ Spring-Summer 1992 ▪ Long sleeve corset with a photographic print to front and back, of an 18th-century salon ▪ Side panels and s...
Vivienne Westwood Spring-Summer 1992 brown leather corset and mini skirt
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
Vivienne Westwood Spring-Summer 1992 brown leather corset with boning, zip fastening and two long tie-up sashes at the front. High waisted mini skirt with slit at the rear.
Vivienne Westwood pink knitted Angora wool corset sweater, fw 1993
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
▪ Vivienne Westwood rare knitted corset sweater ▪ Constructed from knitted pink Angora ▪ Nude internal corset producing a pronounced décolleta...
Vivienne Westwood lace screen printed denim corset and jeans, fw 1992
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
Vivienne Westwood lace screen printed denim corset and high rise slim jeans Fall-Winter 1992
Size: XS, S
Vicky Tiel Couture Silk Ruched Corset Top
By Vicky Tiel
Located in Water Mill, NY
A beautiful off white silk corset top from Vicky Tiel. It is worn off the shoulders with elbow length sleeves, a sweetheart cut neckline and ruching throughout in angles. The front...
Art Deco Silver and Blue Lame Wrap
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Silver and Blue Lame Wrap Gown, originally destined for the boudoir, but, works wonderfully as an evening coat. Made from silky metallic French lame...
1930s Peach Silk Slip Nightdress
Located in London, GB
Early 1930s peach embroidered floral slip in incredible antique condition. This piece is made from a man made silk blend in a really beautiful soft peach colour. There are some pleasing design details on this dress including the embroidered neckline with flowers that look like fuchsias. There is a little gather along the square part of the neckline and some of the pleating falls down to the waistband where ties are attached just below the bust - very Grecian in look. There are no labels present but the slip is really well made and good examples of vintage lingerie...
1970S Navy Men's Velour Fleece Striped Sleeve Loungewear Robe
Located in New York, NY
1970S Navy Men's Velour Fleece Striped Sleeve Loungewear Robe
Edwardian Cream Embroidered Cotton Voile & Lace Tea Dress With Empire Waistline
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian Cream Embroidered Cotton Voile & Lace Tea Dress With Empire Waistline And Half Sleeves
1990S VIKTOR & ROLF White Cotton Iconic Multi Collar Shirt
By Viktor & Rolf
Located in New York, NY
1990S VIKTOR & ROLF White Cotton Iconic Multi Collar Shirt
Torso Creations Pink Purple & Green Silk Caftan W/ Open Back Embroidery Trim
By Torso Creations
Located in Gresham, OR
Torso Creations Pink Purple & Green Silk Caftan W/ Open Back, Embroidery, Purple Velvet Ribbon and Sequin Trim. Fashioned from vintage sari fabric in the s...
Vivienne Westwood FW 1991 Dressing Up Metallic Boulle Print Satin Corset England
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in BELLEVUE HILL, NSW
Dating to the F/W 1991 'Dressing Up' collection, this stunning Vivienne Westwood corset features a metallic Boulle print inspired by the mirror with Marquetry by André-Charles Boulle...
Size: IT44 is EU40 but more like EU38
La Perla Ritmo de la Perla Gold Corset Top Embroided Beads
By La Perla
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
RITMO DI PERLA LA PERLA Vintage 2000s very well kept (new) gold luxury and high-quality corset top. Very sensual & sexy. Embroidered with a layer of tulle with leaves and beads and a zipper at the back. Vintage La Perla corsets...
1940S Baby Pink Silk Hand Embroidered Negligee Slip Dress With Adjustable Waist
Located in New York, NY
1940S Baby Pink Silk Hand Embroidered Negligee Slip Dress With Adjustable Waist Ties
H 74 in W 52 in D 2 in
Vintage Red Kimono Silk Brocade Japanese Ceremonial Gown
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
A vintage midcentury red color silk brocade collectable Japanese ceremonial wedding kimono. One of a kind handcrafted . Fabulous museum quality ceremonial piece in pure silk with in...
Size: Recommended UK 6
1970s Glam Rock Gold lamé Metallic Pointed boned Vintage Corset
Located in Sheffield, GB
1970s Glam Rock Gold lamé Pointed boned Corset featuring a scooped neckline, pointed waistline (with elasticated hem line) and farrier hook fasten closure. Recommended Size; UK 6 M...
Vivienne Westwood x Sock Shop 1992 Boulle Sheer Mesh Black Bodysuit
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Rare and highly collectible Vivienne Westwood x Sock Shop “Boulle” bodysuit from 1992. This iconic design features the signature baroque Boulle print, first introduced in Westwood’s ...
Vivienne Westwood x Sock Shop 1992 Boulle Sheer Mesh Black Bodysuit
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Rare and highly collectible Vivienne Westwood x Sock Shop “Boulle” bodysuit from 1992. This iconic piece features the signature baroque Boulle print — originally introduced in Westwo...
Vivienne Westwood Autumn/Winter 1994 ‘On Liberty’ White Floral Lace Corset
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Manchester, GB
Vivienne Westwood Autumn/Winter 1994 white floral lace boned corset with mesh side panels. Tagged size UK10. In good condition, there is one small hole to the mesh as pictured and ...
Size: UK14 - FR42 - US10
Vivienne Westwood 'Cafe Society' Corset with Pink Rose Print, SS 1994
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
This rare Vivienne Westwood corset from the Spring-Summer 1994 "Café Society" collection features a structured design with a square neckline and a vibrant pink rose motif printed on ...
Size: UK12 - FR40 - US8
Vivienne Westwood 'Cafe Society' Cheetah Print Lace Corset, SS 1994
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
This Vivienne Westwood corset from the Spring-Summer 1994 "Cafe Society" collection is constructed from semi-sheer floral lace with an enlarged cheetah motif dyed in a fiery palette ...
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD FW 93 Iconic and Rare Fake Fur Hooded Corset
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Milano, MILANO
Fall Winter 1993 iconic and rare fake fur hooded corset by Vivienne Westwood. Special piece with hood from “Anglomania” collection. Zip closure on the back. The composition is 76% ac...
Vivienne Westwood F/W 1993 Anglomania collection runway cut-out crochet corset
By Vivienne Westwood, Vivienne Westwood Gold Label
Located in BELLEVUE HILL, NSW
Dating to the F/W 1993 'Anglomania' collection, this Vivienne Westwood Gold Label corset was made in England before production for the label was moved to Italy. Comprising a knitted ...
Vivienne Westwood Marlene Dietrich Lips Corset F/W 1992
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Norwich, GB
Vintage Vivienne Westwood lip print corset, from the Fall/Winter 1992 'Always on Camera' collection. Blue denim effect, featuring a close up ima...
Size: UK12 - FR40 - US8
Vivienne Westwood black velvet and tartan silk corset with crystals, fw 1993
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
▪ Archival Vivienne Westwood corset ▪ Fall-Winter 1993 ▪ Black velvet stomacher and back piece ▪ Black power-mesh corset bodice ▪ Signature MacAndreas tartan silk...
Size: FR38 - UK10 - US6
Vivienne Westwood faux fur corset, fw 1993
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
▪ Archival Vivienne Westwood Corset ▪ Fall-Winter 1993 ▪ Stomacher and shoulder straps adorned with faux fur ▪ Black power-mesh corset bodice ▪ Internal boning provides excellent support and structure, allowing the corset to shape and contour the wearer's figure effectively ▪ Zip closure at the rear ▪ UK10 - FR38 - US6 ▪ Made in England Image Credits - Image 4, 12: Conde Nast Archive - Image 5: Elle Magazine, Sep 1993, ph. Gilles Bensimon...
Vivienne Westwood 'Cafe Society' white knitted lace corset, ss 1994
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
▪ Archival Vivienne Westwood corset ▪ Spring-Summer 1994, 'Cafe Society' Collection ▪ Museum Grade ▪ White knitted cotton lace ▪ Long tassels adorning the neckline and shoulder str...
Size: UK12 - FR40 - US8
Vivienne Westwood 'Vive la Cocotte' orange sheepskin strapless corset, fw 1995
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
▪ Archival Vivienne Westwood strapless corset ▪ Fall-Winter 1995, 'Vive la Cocotte' collection ▪ Museum Grade ▪ Constructed from sheepskin...