Kim Cattrall, Rose McGowan & More Pay Tribute To Vivienne Westwood After Her Death
Hollywood’s best and brightest paid tribute to the legendary British fashion designer who died at the age of 81. See their reactions here.
The fashion world suffered a huge loss with the death of Vivienne Westwood on Thursday, Dec. 28 and the glitterati were quick to pay tribute to the icon. The 81-year-old British pioneer, whose eccentric designs and style catapulted her to fame in the 70s, passed away “peacefully and surrounded by family and friends” in London, her team said on Instagram. “Vivienne continued to do the things she loved, up until the last moment, designing, working on her art, writing her book, and changing the world for the better,” the statement continued. “She led an amazing life.”
“I will continue with Vivienne in my heart,” added Andreas Kronthaler, her husband and creative partner. “We have been working until the end and she has given me plenty of things to get on with. Thank you darling.” Vivienne married Andreas in 1992, almost a decade after she broke it off with Malcolm McLaren, whom she ushered in the punk era with as he managed the Sex Pistols, who frequently wore Malcolm and Vivienne’s designs.
After the sad news spread, Hollywood’s best and brightest took to their social media to remember Vivienne. From Rose McGowan to Dua Lipa to Yoko Ono, Vivienne’s fan club ran deep, and they made sure to show their appreciation for the designer, who was even awarded the OBE (Officer of the British Empire) in 1992 by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Keep reading to see the stars’ responses, below.
Rose McGowan
Deeply saddened by a true punk’s passing, Vivienne Westwood, what a hellraiser, what a talent. #VivienneWestwood #angelofdemocracy pic.twitter.com/MfFjwyApJO
— Rose✨McGowan (@rosemcgowan) December 29, 2022
“Deeply saddened by a true punk’s passing, Vivienne Westwood, what a hellraiser, what a talent,” Rose McGowan wrote on Twitter alongside a photo of herself in a Vivienne Westwood design. Another snap featured Vivienne herself walking beside her own designs on a runway.
Dua Lipa
The “Levitating” singer took to her Instagram Stories to share a photo of Vivienne. Dua wrote, “A fashion icon who will be sorely missed.”
Yoko Ono
Rest in peace, Vivienne. What a woman – so young at heart, motivated, beautiful and elegant. Our love and deepest condolences go out to Andreas, Ben, Joseph and families. Love, yoko pic.twitter.com/HkDQhyoTrG
— Yoko Ono (@yokoono) December 29, 2022
John Lennon’s widow shared a sweet photo of herself with Vivienne on her Twitter. “Rest in peace, Vivienne. What a woman – so young at heart, motivated, beautiful and elegant. Our love and deepest condolences go out to Andreas, Ben, Joseph and families. Love, yoko”
Juliette Lewis
Juliette Lewis posted a photo of Vivienne in a white button-down to her Instagram. “She was always creating for the future by looking unflinchingly and seeringly [sic] into the now,” the Yellowjackets star wrote. “She didn’t just question main stream age & beauty standards. She didn’t even see or acknowledge them as having anything to do with the relevance and necessity for individualistic aesthetic expression.”
Kim Cattrall
Sex and the City’s Kim Catrall took to her Instagram to share a sweet anecdote about the woman who had an integral part in the look of the SATC movie. “A true genius who never lost her northern grit. Short story – An LA stylist had sent me 3 dresses from various designers for the London/Berlin/NY premiers of a film. The clothes arrived at my London hotel unclean, were unflattering and in need of alteration. I was crest fallen until a mutual friend took me immediately to see @viviennewestwood atelier and Vivienne made me a new dress in 3 days and 2 others beside for each of the upcoming openings. I’ve never forgotten her generosity and kindness in making that happen and saving the day.”
Zendaya
The Dune actress, 26, took to Instagram stories on December 29 to reshare a silent Instagram tribute — A British Vogue image of Vivienne suiting up in a sporty shorts ensemble with knee high socks and a statement necklace. The Euphoria star has long been a Vivienne Westwood devotee, regularly appearing in the designer’s glam creations on the red carpet.
Amelia Gray Hamlin
Amelia Gray Hamlin took to Instagram stories as well to post a lengthy tribute to Vivienne. Along with two close up photos of the designer, she also shared a throwback pic of herself on the runway from an October 1 post. “Wow… i truly do not have words… my first show ever in paris,” she captioned the pic, in part. “Ever since I was a little girl, it has been a dream of mine to walk a show in paris. To be welcomed onto the catwalk by the queen @viviennewestwood , and the king @ndreaskronthaler is such an honor.”
“Thank you for changing my life. Thank you for pioneering punk,” she captioned a video clip, again on a runway. Amelia also shared a pic of Vivienne’s punk era SEX shop, and in another video clip, Vivienne appeared to directly sign the rear end of a fan, who then had it tattooed.
Lisa Rinna
Amelia’s famous mom Lisa Rinna also took to Instagram stories with a short but sweet repost tribute — a black and white pic of Vivienne in younger years. In it, she wore a shirt reading: “Be reasonable. Demand the impossible.”
Scarlett Stallone
The model daughter of Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin reposted a similar tribute from Vogue via Instagram stories — a pic of the designer during the punk era, rocking the “Be reasonable, Demand the impossible button up shirt.
Bella Hadid
Supermodel Bella Hadid posted a long tribute to Vivienne on Thursday alongside a photo carousel working with the legendary designer. In one photo, Bella got down on her knees on the runway in a stunning lace dress to offer up a bouquet of flowers to a surprised Vivienne.
“Queen of punk. From the first day I met you to the last day I saw you, you made me smile , listen, learn and love more than the day before. I will forever be grateful to have been in your orbit , because to me and most , in fashion & in humanity, you, Vivienne, were the sun. “To the coolest, most fun, incredible , humble, creative , badass, intelligent, f***ing EPIC human being that has walked this earth… my inspiration and idol in all things … rest in love and Rest In Peace…🕊 I will miss you,” she captioned the pics via Instagram. “I’m sending my love to dear Andreas and the entire family… she was loved by so many… 🤍.”
Victorian Beckham
Fashion designer Victoria Beckham, like so many others, took to Instagram stories to mark the sad news. “I’m so sad to learn of the passing of legendary designer and activist Dame Vivienne Westwood. My thoughts are with her family at this incredibly sad time. VB.”
Christy Turlington
90s supermodel Christy Turlington posted a poignant tribute on December 29. “Talk about a change maker, non conformist, environmentalist” she captioned a carousel of pics, in part. “@viviennewestwood was ahead of it ALL! An artist, a punk, a working mother and also a designer whose brand is still as relevant today as ever. I feel so lucky to have known her a little during an important phase of my career in fashion and to have had that period so beautifully documented by @gavinbondphotography in his book #BeingThere.”
Christy’s photo tribute included throwback pics on the runway, as well as pics of Vivienne in her punk era.
Elle Fanning
Maleficent actress Elle Fanning also took to her verified Instagram account to share thoughts on the late designer. “Rest amongst all the galaxies🪐Dame Vivienne Westwood💫,” she captioned a photo gallery in part. “The original punk. I remember our first time meeting in New York. I could not believe I was sipping tea with THE icon. You were unbelievably kind, hilarious, and oh so so incredibly… thoughtful. I had never met a truer individual.”
Elle’s photo tribute included a cheeky portrait of Vivienne with devil’s horns and the famous snap from the day she was made awarded an OBE and made a “Dame” by Queen Elizabeth II. “Forever inspiring us through your activism and endless creativity,” Elle completed the post. “Daring to disrupt and daring to be yourself 100% of the time. The world is better because it knew you.”
Nancy Sinatra
Singer Nancy Sinatra posted a simple and sweet tribute to Vivienne via Twitter. “I’m so sorry,” she wrote in response to the announcement of Vivienne’s death via her official account. “Godspeed, Ms. Westwood. You made a difference.”