Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery

A world-first exhibition of renowned British fashion house Vivienne Westwood is coming to Wellington. Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery will show an impressive collection of archival and runway pieces. See over 550 pieces of jewellery and over 15 complete ensembles and garments. The works span four decades, showcasing the breadth of Westwood’s career. 

Bold and rebellious designs are a cornerstone of Westwood’s identity. The designer is credited with bringing punk to the mainstream. She didn’t shy away from socio-political themes and subversive styles. Visitors will get to witness Westwood’s journey and point of view in this exhibition. 

The story is told through a series of rooms. Each room reflects distinct decades of Westwood’s designs. Beginning in the 1980s, the rooms are curated with eclectic pairings of jewellery and garments. Surrounding the ensembles are wall prints, sounds, catwalk looks, imagery, and video. 

Jewellery has been intertwined with Westwood’s journey as a designer from the beginning. First selling jewellery from a stall in London in the 70s, she continued to incorporate it into her collections. “Jewellery plays an essential role in defining that iconic ‘Vivienne Westwood look’. This new exhibition explores the design codes and subversive spirit of the British design house through this prism,” says the Vivienne Westwood design team. 

The exhibition will be the first time many archive and runway pieces are on display. The global tour of this brand-new exhibition starts at Te Papa in December.