The late Vivienne Westwood was recognized for her daring clothing styles and for pioneering punk fashion, decorating runways with her trademark high-end creations.
Fans of the British fashion designer will now have the opportunity to purchase her personal wardrobe pieces when they go up for auction later this month.
According to Christie’s, more than 200 objects, including clothing, shoes, jewels, and iconic looks from four decades of her life, will be auctioned live in London on June 25 and online from June 14 to 28.
Westwood’s wardrobe, which includes outfits chosen by her husband and the creative director of her fashion label, Andreas Kronthaler, will be on display at Christie’s auction house in London from Friday until June 24, according to a press release.
According to Christie’s, the proceeds from the sale will benefit organizations supporting causes Westwood championed during her life, including The Vivienne Foundation, Amnesty International, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), and Greenpeace. Westwood was an outspoken advocate for the environment as well as human rights and free speech.
“Vivienne was a style icon throughout her lifetime,” according to the release from The Vivienne Foundation. “Her great interest in intellectual and political concepts influenced her inherent talent in fashion design, where she became one of the few true innovators. “There will never be another Vivienne Westwood.”
One of the things for sale will be her “Propaganda” ensemble from her 2005-2006 Autumn collection, which includes a printed dress and a blue and white striped blouse. According to Christie’s, it reflects both her punk days and Aldous Huxley’s article “Propaganda in a Democratic Society.”
The earliest dated item in the sale is a navy blue set from Westwood’s “Witches” collection from Autumn/Winter 1983–84. According to Christie’s, the collection was partly inspired by witchcraft and artist Keith Haring’s code of magical symbols. Christie’s predicts it will sell for up to £6,000 ($7,600).
“Vivienne Westwood’s sense of activism, art, and style is embedded in each and every piece that she created,” said Adrian Hume Sayer, head of sales and director of Private & Iconic Collections at Christie’s, according to the statement.
“This will be a unique opportunity for audiences to encounter both the public and the private world of the great Dame Vivienne Westwood and to raise funds for the causes in which she so ardently believed,” he stated.
