Vivienne Westwood, English designer and influential fashion maverick, dies at 81
Vivienne Westwood, an influential fashion maverick who played a key role in the punk movement, has died at 81.
Westwood's eponymous fashion house announced her death on social media, saying she died peacefully.
A cause of death was not disclosed.
READ MORE: Pelé, Brazil's mighty king of 'beautiful game,' has died aged 82
Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood has died in London at 81 years old. Tristan Fewings via Getty Images
Westwood's fashion career began in the 1970s with the punk explosion, when her radical approach to urban street style took the world by storm.
But she went on to enjoy a long career highlighted by a string of triumphant runway shows in London, Paris, Milan and New York.
The name Westwood became synonymous with style and attitude even as she shifted focus from year to year. Her range was vast and her work was never predictable.
READ MORE: Why Australia isn't imposing China travel restrictions just yet
Vivienne Westwood seen attending a protest march at the Fracked Future Carnival on March 19, 2014 in London, England. Tim P. Whitby via Getty Images
As her stature grew, she seemed to transcend fashion, with her designs shown in museum collections throughout the world.
The young woman who had scorned the British establishment eventually became one of its leading lights, and she used her elite position to lobby for environmental reforms even as she kept her hair dyed the bright shade of orange that became her trademark.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
