When you are Vivienne Westwood, the only person you need to reference is yourself. And for her Fall 2022 collection, the queen of punk did exactly that.
Referencing her archives whilst meeting our relentless need to consume "newness", Westwood looked back at old collections to meet the moment of the Year of the Tiger. This emerged in velvet suit jackets in orange and black tiger print – the same motif that was seen in her Fall 2001 show, now overdyed on deadstock cotton velvet and viscose that has been certified as non-harmful, to make gender fluid shirting, dresses, and pants.
Elsewhere, big cat motifs are digitally printed onto dresses and tunics. One, featuring a nude man wrapped in nothing but a cheetah-print rug, the other, a pixelated blue tiger print dress and matching raincoat.
But the highlight of Fall 2022 was undoubtedly the wearability of it all. Because while we love Westwood for the oversized silhouettes and endlessly avant-garde ideas, Fall 2022 serves as a reminder that she can do both, and do both extremely well. Sharp tailoring and satin, double breasted tuxedos were a highlight, alongside unconventional overcoats that nod to Westwood's brand DNA. Corsetry featured, as usual, dark bodices with "fuck" printed across the bust, written in her signature chicken bone font, alongside one with a planet next to a cartoon drawing.
It wouldn't be Westwood without Tartan, and for this season it was offered in mini skirts, boot-cut trousers, and crisp blazers. The brands motif, a blown up print of the designer's eponymous name, was applied to suiting, denim, bomber jackets and knitwear separates. There is an accessibility offered within the collection that feels rather irresistible in our current climate. Separates that can blend seamlessly into our wardrobes and offer a moment of reprieve from the sweatpants of covid-past and the aughts trends of the now. Westwood continues to march to the beat of her own drum, and we'll never fail to trail right behind her.
See our favourites from the Vivienne Westwood Fall 2022 collection, below.
