FOR Vivienne Westwood’s spring/summer 2023 campaign, a strong sense of lyricism and theatrical codes are quite literally on show as we, the audience, applaud for more.
A Renaissance troop led by Irina Shayk, Amelia Gray and Lars Eidinger, is shot by Juergen Teller in a darkened theatre, encouraging us to watch on as the characters in the clothes take centre stage. The performance is fashion.
Vivienne Westwood SS23 Campaign. Photograph: Juergen Teller
Inspired by John Donne’s poetry and other historical references, the House, in collaboration with Creative Director Andreas Kronthaler, dance around the past and present before entering a theatre realm. A reimagined version of the English Renaissance is left for the galleries to see, and thankfully us too.
“John Donne understood that when we get dressed, we ask something of the world. All clothes speak: they say desire me, or oh ignore me, or endow my words with greater seriousness than you would were I not wearing this hat.” – taken from the expertly written ‘Super-Infinite – The Transformations of John Donne’, by Katherine Rundell.
Vivienne Westwood SS23 Campaign. Photograph: Juergen Teller
Vivienne Westwood SS23 Campaign. Photograph: Juergen Teller
In true Westwood style, silhouettes are flamboyant, colour palettes are bold with a slight streak of saturation, and thanks to the help from Kronthaler and Teller, I think this great performance is just a sign of what’s yet to come for the everlasting reign of Vivienne.
by Alicia Tomkinson
Find the collection here.