VIVIENNE WESTWOOD ROMANTICIZES COLONIAL INDIA
June 2014
By Marcellous L. JONES
Milan, Italy – British fashion house Vivienne Westwood takes us to the land of India for inspiration for Spring/Summer 2014. The collection is based more on the house’s idea of a romanticized vision of India. Dame Westwood and her husband Andreas Kronthaler – creative director of the men’s line – have not traveled extensively in the country or spent much time there. So this is an indirect take coming more through the people they have met.
“We spent only a short time in India. We went there for a week as Naomi (Campbell) organized a party there. The rest came from books and movies. ”
They’ve used colors including white, yellow, blues, and all things spice to recount their tale.
Kronthaler has interpreted this spirit of India through bold prints and sari-inspired shorts and trousers. This latter has that magical Westwood charm and the pre-requisite right volume. When rolled up into cuffs, one can see the colorful lining in the pieces.
Silk garments feature a jumpsuit in white printed silk. A short-cropped windbreaker is crafted in this same material. Lots of knitwear used in the both the trousers tops. Colorful are the socks, as India is known for its color.
Lots of sandals and extravagant colorful & jewelry highlight the accessories.
Some pieces have gold button and large squire lapels that have been folded and buttoned down. This could be an easy interpretation of the military elegance associated to India’s past as a British colony.
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD Spring/Summer 2014
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD Spring/Summer 2014
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD Spring/Summer 2014
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD Spring/Summer 2014
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD Spring/Summer 2014
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD Spring/Summer 2014
