Vivienne Westwood
Dame Vivienne Westwood was born as Vivienne Isabel Swire on 8 April, 1941. She is an English fashion designer and businesswoman, largely responsible for bringing modern punk and new wave fashions into the mainstream.
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Engagement in Cultural Diplomacy
Humanitarian Causes
In September 2005, Westwood joined forces with the British civil rights group Liberty and launched exclusive limited design T-shirts and babywear bearing the slogan I AM NOT A TERRORIST, please don't arrest me. She said she was supporting the campaign and defending habeas corpus. "When I was a schoolgirl, my history teacher, Mr. Scott, began to take classes in civic affairs. The first thing he explained to us was the fundamental rule of law embodied in habeas corpus. He spoke with pride of civilization and democracy. The hatred of arbitrary arrest by the lettres de cachet of the French monarchy caused the storming of the Bastille. We can only take democracy for granted if we insist on our liberty", she said. The sale of the £50 T-shirts helped to raise funds for the organization.
Philanthropic Donations
Vivienne Westwood has supported the following charities: 21st Century Leaders, AIDS LIFE, American Foundation for AIDS Research, Cool Earth, Greenpeace, Oxfam, PETA, Small Steps Project, Survival International, Whatever It Takes
Notable Actions
In June 2013, Westwood dedicated one of her collections to Chelsea Manning and at her fashion show she and all of her models wore large image badges of Manning with the word "TRUTH" under her picture.
Further Information
Videos: Vivienne Weswood explains why she is vegetarian
Vivienne Westwood Gets Wet For PETA
External Links
Vivienne Westwood’s biography (2014). The Biography.com website
