A year ago Vivienne Westwood told me that sometimes she feels like she’s hijacking the Red Label line in order to talk about things she’s more passionate about, and that statement seems more relevant than ever this season. Clothes aside for a moment, Westwood was, as ever, keen to get her environmental agenda across, something we’ve come to expect from one of the few refreshingly political designers left in London. On every seat was a piece of paper headed simply 'VOTE GREEN' and while the clothes were classic Westwood - belt buckle chokers, tartan and draping galore - those two words on the show notes felt like the strongest statement in the show.
Elements of Westwood will always work, and little details like the red, yellow and green lurex striped CHAOS socks were great, but one gets the feeling Westwood’s been frustrated by the fashion industry for so long that the shows become a vehicle for other, more pressing concerns. There’s no question she’s still got it; heading up the procession of models at the end of the show she was most stylish woman on the runway, I’m just not entirely sure that she truly loves being a fashion designer any more. Or even likes it that much. Maybe it’s finally time she steps in politics. Westwood for Prime Minister, anyone?
