Vivienne Westwood Gold Label AW14

Initial reaction:

Saturday afternoon in the V&A. Inspired by a trip Westwood took to the London museum twenty years ago, the collection felt like a journey through the world’s myriad cultures, spanning decades. It was the V&A coming to life.

Atmosphere:

Revolving bright lights and an LED backdrop screen added a strange sense of futurism to the archaic church space. The soundtrack can only be described as primitive drum beats meet opera.

How they wore it:

With incredible make up by Val Garland. Diamonds of blue were spray painted over the face, while on others a brush of red had been swept over the forehead. Cheeks were rosy like a doll’s, and beaded necklaces swung low to the hips.

In the details:

Baroque tights, shaggy coats, chain prints, a dove motif, orange and navy tartan, laser cut lace, headpieces constructed from feather quills, and an eighties scarlet ball gown with billowing leather sleeves.

The Westwood bride:

The final model appeared from an opposite entrance, in a sheer white tulle net gown, with elaborate puffy eighties sleeves, and a roll neck. For her finale, Vivienne Westwood wore a delicate feather headdress.