The award winning “Dame of Fashion” brought modern punk and new-wave fashion into the mainstream fashion world. The fiery red head, even at 68-years- old is still turning heads with her wacky and quirky fashion designs.
Who’s the Dame?
Vivienne’s crazy designs have been inspired from many themes over the years. The Savage range was released in 1981, featuring purposely ripped clothing and the pirate themed line was shown in 1982 which led to the “New Romantic” craze. In 1987 Vivienne designed the first corset to be worn as outer clothing and launched her first men’s wear line in 1990.
Her Second husband, Malcolm McLaren owned a shop called “Let it Rock” and was the manager of the punk band, “The Sex Pistols.” Vivienne’s designs were first sold in the shop and then worn by the band on stage; their outfits were accessorized with safety pins, razor blades and chains to create the “Punk Style”.
Now with a multi- million empire, Vivienne exclusively owns stores across London, Leeds and Milan and has franchise stores in Liverpool, Newcastle, Glasgow, Manchester, Nottingham and York.
Vivienne has helped to launch the careers of some the best fashion designers in Britain such as Patrick Cox, who designed the nine inch heels that Naomi Campbell famously tumbled over during a fashion show in Paris. Also being related to the designer has its perks, Vivienne’s youngest son; Joseph is the founder of the Agent Provocateur lingerie brand. Girl’s Aloud member, Nicola Roberts was ecstatic when she was asked to model Vivienne Westwood clothes and now Westwood has announced that she wants boy band, JLS’s Marvin Humes to model in her menswear line.
Her designs have also featured in the “Sex and the City” movie in 2008 where the main character, Carrie Bradshaw receives a Vivienne Westwood wedding gown and a handwritten letter from Vivienne herself. After calling the costumes “boring,” Vivienne will be involved in making the costumes for “Sex and the City 2” which is due to be released in 2010.
Westwood in Glasgow
Bright lights, perfectly polished floors, white walls that draw attention to (what can only be described as art hung from the rails and on the walls) - the clothes!
Co-Assistant managers, Rebecca Torres and Sherri Scott revealed to EOT how they landed jobs at Vivienne Westwood and a bit about their own side projects.
Rebecca Torres
Rebecca’s role focuses more on the shop floor, making sure that high standards are met and takes care of the operations side of things.
Rebecca has climbed up the fashion ladder from sales assistant, to supervisor, and is now assistant manager. Working in retail since she was 16 has given her lots of experience and the fashion courses she studied have been a huge help in gaining the knowledge needed to work in such an “up-market” store.
“I went to Cardonald College, and did a fashion and manufacturing course there.” She tells us. “That led to studying fashion business and involved more figures and the marketing and buying side of it. That type of course helped me a lot.”
When speaking to customers in a store like, Vivienne Westwood, the staff need to be on the ball with their fashion knowledge. No fashion degree necessary, but a strong interest in fashion and being confident when selling products always helps.
Aside from working in the store, Rebecca has had her own fashion label since 2008 and now has four different collections which are available to buy on her website, www.rebeccatorres.co.uk.
“It’s completely different from what Vivienne Westwood does,” she tells us: “If you had to describe it, it would be probably be more along the lines of Pam Hodge, that kind of style of clothing. So I do that outside of work, it’s going really well.”
Sherri Scott
Sherri’s area of expertise is in PR. She runs all of the events, deals with the marketing and handles the press, which has more in common with her degree in Communication and Mass Media. Whilst in college and university, Sherri always enjoyed working in bars and before Vivienne Westwood, had never worked in retail before.
“This is actually my first retail job,” Sherri laughs, “I thought I would apply for the new store but I didn’t think I would get in because you needed two years retail experience, but yeah, I just applied anyway.”
With a passion for fashion, when she’s not working at Vivienne Westwood, Sherri runs her own vintage store, in Glasgow. ‘Che Camille’ is on the sixth floor of the Argyle Arcades and sells fashion for women & men, jewellery, lingerie, millinery, vintage, accessories, furniture, fine art and fine music.
“I just love fashion! Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, God bless his soul.”
Also like every girl, she loves to shop!
“I love shopping! And gigs really, I go to a lot of gigs in Glasgow – I’ve got lots of friends in different bands so I usually go there and yeah... I do shop a lot.” She tells us “I shop around for stuff for the shop as well, so we have a wee business card that I use to buy the stock so I’m always using that! As long as it’s for the shop and not for me, it’s fine. Ha-ha.”
Sherri’s favourite part of working in the store is being around all the Vivienne Westwood clothes, “and the free uniform too” she laughs.
So what is a franchise?
A franchise is a contract which allows a person or group of people (The franchisee) to market a product or service using the trademark of another company (The franchisor). However, they then have the obligation to pay certain fees and royalties to the franchisor in exchange for the rights to use logos and so on. Franchising can seem like an easy way to start a business and many times it’s a winner. However, investing in a franchise is no guarantee that you will be successful.
Success in franchising will depend on three key factors; your ability to raise enough to buy the franchise and open it for business (which is why groups of people tend to buy it rather than one person), the franchise that you select, and your drive and ambition to make your franchise a success.
Pullout 1: No fashion degree necessary, but a strong interest in fashion and being confident when selling products always helps.
Pullout 2: “I just love fashion! Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, God bless his soul.”
Pullout 3: “I do shop a lot. I shop around for stuff for the shop as well.”
Ends.
Favourite items in the Shop
Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Fortune Dress Print Purple/Red:
£275.00
Vivienne Westwood Long Bead Chain Necklace Turquoise:
£135.00
Who’s the Dame?
Vivienne’s crazy designs have been inspired from many themes over the years. The Savage range was released in 1981, featuring purposely ripped clothing and the pirate themed line was shown in 1982 which led to the “New Romantic” craze. In 1987 Vivienne designed the first corset to be worn as outer clothing and launched her first men’s wear line in 1990.
Her Second husband, Malcolm McLaren owned a shop called “Let it Rock” and was the manager of the punk band, “The Sex Pistols.” Vivienne’s designs were first sold in the shop and then worn by the band on stage; their outfits were accessorized with safety pins, razor blades and chains to create the “Punk Style”.
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