Vivienne Westwood Spring Summer 2024 Fashion Show

Andreas Kronthaler's SS24 collection for Vivienne Westwood is a touching tribute to his late life partner and collaborator, the iconic designer Vivienne Westwood. This collection revisits and reworks some of the most iconic pieces that they co-designed throughout their partnership, creating a deeply sentimental and meaningful fashion statement.

Drawing from the archive he meticulously built around Vivienne Westwood's private wardrobe, Kronthaler's collection offers a unique opportunity for dedicated fans to acquire iconic pieces they may have longed for but missed out on. The selection includes legendary items like the inferno jacket from the fall 2005 collection "Exhibition," the pink check cape from the spring 2014 collection "Everything Is Connected," the giant floor-length jacquard bow hat from the fall 2009 collection, and the moire bridal gown with an exaggerated corset design from the spring 2012 collection "War & Peace," memorably worn by Westwood's granddaughter Cora Corré to close the show.

Kronthaler's approach to this collection is deeply personal and emotional. He didn't aim for a traditional fashion show with extravagant showpieces and fantasies but rather sought to honor Westwood's legacy by paying homage to her personal wardrobe. This journey became a foundation for the collection, imbuing it with authenticity and a profound sense of connection.

The designer's choice to select the number 34 – representing the years he spent together with Vivienne Westwood – to guide the creation of this collection is a poignant and heartfelt gesture. It underscores the enduring partnership and creative bond that defined their collaboration.

In a fashion season where many designers opted for commercially viable archive pieces, Kronthaler's approach stands out. The collection encompasses a wide range of styles and influences, encompassing punk aesthetics, global inspiration, and a challenge to British social dress codes and gender identity. Despite being a "greatest-hits remix" on paper, the collection feels remarkably fresh and authentic, as if it were entirely new.

Kronthaler's humility in acknowledging that the brand is "99 percent her" does not diminish his significance in the success of Vivienne Westwood. His unwavering love for her and his encyclopedic knowledge of the brand's heritage are vital in keeping the spirit of Vivienne Westwood alive as a thriving and enduring business. This collection not only pays homage to their shared history but also underscores the continued relevance and vitality of Vivienne Westwood's creative legacy.