On December 29, 2022, Vivienne Westwood left the world. She was the queen of punk fashion and her works have made a big impact on the fashion industry. I still remember when I was in high school, all I wanted was a piece of product from the brand because I was (still am) in love with the orb logo.

Vivienne’s works have inspired many members of our Patreon group. These are some of the illustrations created by them to pay tribute to this fashion legend.

RIP Queen of Punk Fashion. You will always have a special spot in our hearts.

Anna Gusselnikova

Vivienne Westwood was a revolutionary and ahead of her time. Not just in fashion but also in her approach to environmentalism. I grew up seeing her collections on fashion television hoping that one day I too could be as influential as she was. I’m very grateful that I had the chance to briefly meet her during my time in university and hear her speak words of wisdom. Vivienne said, “buy less, choose well, make it last.” This quote has become my motto in life and specifically my approach to fashion. Her rebellious and innovative spirit of pushing boundaries will forever inspire me to do the same with my art. – Anna Gusselnikova

Anna Huang

The first time I read about Vivienne Westwood was actually in a Japanese graphic novel – I was thirteen and knew nothing about fashion. But even then, I related to the misfit characters who wore her clothes and their innate desires to rebel from the status quo. Vivienne Westwood represented the possibility of reinventing oneself and being whoever you wanted to be. 

As I learned more about Vivienne Westwood’s career, it was clear why her influence transcends beyond fashion apparel – She pioneered many ideas in our culture regarding environmentalism, gender identities, and beauty standards. I am inspired by how she invoked disruption while creating beautiful things and how she continued to champion causes she believed in until the end of her life. 

As I continue my own creative path, I hope always to maintain the defiant courage I discovered through Vivienne Westwood’s work and the belief that I can always challenge myself to do something different than before. – Anna Huang

Aslı Su Türkmen

When I was 13-14 and a budding illustrator, I discovered some books about fashion history and iconic designers at an old bookshop. Then I saw Vivienne Westwood. Her life, her story, her cause, and her creations were not just beautiful luxurious designs but a whole realm of rebellion, politics, history, and humor. A realm of provocative, theatrical play of sex and punk with an abundance of gorgeous drapes and tailored classics melting into each other to create fearless femininity. That was also the time when I was a teenager who was heavily interested in punk culture and fashion at the same time and I was simply blown away. Time has shown me that it was just not a period: I still feel her life and legacy so deeply to this day. Beginning of 2022 I was at  Vivienne Westwood:Punk & Glamour exhibition at Millesgården museum in Stockholm, my home city. That was the time that I’ve been closest to her original creations and I was so excited. Today we see a plethora of designers following her path but it is never the same without Vivienne. This outfit is from her 1990-91 collection ‘Portrait’ and I wrapped the model in a Vivienne signature red tartan and gave her a white flower as a symbol of reverence, elegance, and eternal love. – Aslı Su Türkmen

Minh Dinh

As we wave goodbye to 2022, the Fashion world bid farewell to a fashion icon, Vivienne Westwood. She was one of the most influential designers and inspired many others, including myself. This piece is a tribute to her. It is hard to encapsulate her in one image since she was many things: a designer, an icon, and an advocate for equality. I depicted one of her iconic looks, the corseted top from her 1990 show, with a ribbon of tartan from the Anglomania era. The poster, quotes, and crown celebrate her as an environmental activist, who used her art and design to advocate for environmental reforms. The figure depicted steps into a new realm, as Vivienne Westwood did on 12.29.2022, while glancing back at us, seizing the orb, emboldening us to take the fate of humanity and the Earth into our own hands. – Minh Dinh 

Stanislav Senchuk

It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Vivienne Westwood, a true queen of punk and one of the most influential fashion designers of our time.

Her daring and unconventional designs were a rebellion against the mainstream and paved the way for a new generation of fashion-forward thinkers. From her iconic safety pin dresses to her powerful political statements on the runway, Vivienne’s works were always bold, unapologetic, and deeply personal.

But it wasn’t just her fashion that made Vivienne a trailblazer – it was her fierce commitment to sustainability and her dedication to using her platform to make a positive impact on the world. She was a true visionary and a force to be reckoned with. Vivienne will be deeply missed by all those whose lives she touched, and her legacy will continue to inspire future designers for generations to come.

Rest in peace, Vivienne. Your impact on the fashion world will never be forgotten. – Stanislav Senchuk