Vivienne Westwood holds avant-garde fashion show in meat market... Wonder what vegan Pamela Anderson made of that?
By Deborah Arthurs
She's a staunch vegan spokesperson for PETA. But, last night, Pamela Anderson managed to push any qualms aside as she tiptoed through Smithfield's Meat market last night to take her place on the front row at Dame Vivienne Westwood's catwalk show.
Joining her for the bi-annual extravaganza at the east London venue were stars Sadie Frost - also a non-meat eater - model Erin O'Connor, society girl Victoria Hervey and singers Kelis and Paloma Faith, who sat on tiers of bright red seating that cut a dramatic line through the grey expanse of the cavernous concrete halls.
It was all business as usual for Dame Vivienne though, who is no stranger to controversy, always putting on a show that celebrates the avant-garde.
Controversial: Vegan Pamela attracted criticism from animal rights groups when she modelled for Westwood in 2009. Although Vivienne stopped using fur, critics said Pamela should not support a brand that uses leather
Star guests: Sadie Frost, model and BFC spokesperson Erin O'Connor and singer Paloma Faith, wearing a Vivienne Westwood skirt
Nancy Dell'Olio attended the show, as did artist Tracey Emin, who is frequently
pictured in Westwood designs
The collection was a mix of the designer's trademark show-stopping structured dresses, cut skilfully to enhance and flatter the female form, and the grunge look that provides the contrasting side to the coin for Westwood's customers.
Backcombed bird's nest hair was created by Malcolm Edwards' team, who teased and sprayed bouffants, spraying them to take on a grey tone, while make up was by Alex Box, who conjured up a Midsummer Night's Dream feel with dramatic eyes in aqua tones of blue and green, silver and red.
High praise: Vivienne Westwood receives her applause at the finale of her
catwalk show last night
The show was well-received, with some saying it was her best - and the one that most easily translates from catwalk to customer - they'd seen in years.
'My customers are the best ambassadors for my clothes,' Dame Westwood said of the show.
'When people discover them, they seem to have an edge.
Of course, her love for the everyday Westwood customer does not preclude an appreciation for the more elite brand ambassadors.
''Honestly, I'm very proud of my customers, but I do love to dress the supermodels,' Dame Vivienne admits.
'Glamour has a sense of archetype and I adore those archetypal beauties.
Fashion is alive when it is being worn and talked about.'
Drama: Vivienne Westwood's collection contained her trademark structured dresses that emphasise and flatter the female form
Avant-garde: Vivienne Westwood pushes the boundaries with her collections - but this year's offering was more wearable then previous years, say fashion commentators
Vivienne's blue period: Part of the collection was made up of a simple palette
of blues and greys
By Deborah Arthurs
She's a staunch vegan spokesperson for PETA. But, last night, Pamela Anderson managed to push any qualms aside as she tiptoed through Smithfield's Meat market last night to take her place on the front row at Dame Vivienne Westwood's catwalk show.
Joining her for the bi-annual extravaganza at the east London venue were stars Sadie Frost - also a non-meat eater - model Erin O'Connor, society girl Victoria Hervey and singers Kelis and Paloma Faith, who sat on tiers of bright red seating that cut a dramatic line through the grey expanse of the cavernous concrete halls.
It was all business as usual for Dame Vivienne though, who is no stranger to controversy, always putting on a show that celebrates the avant-garde.
Controversial: Vegan Pamela attracted criticism from animal rights groups when she modelled for Westwood in 2009. Although Vivienne stopped using fur, critics said Pamela should not support a brand that uses leather
Star guests: Sadie Frost, model and BFC spokesperson Erin O'Connor and singer Paloma Faith, wearing a Vivienne Westwood skirt
Nancy Dell'Olio attended the show, as did artist Tracey Emin, who is frequently
pictured in Westwood designs
The collection was a mix of the designer's trademark show-stopping structured dresses, cut skilfully to enhance and flatter the female form, and the grunge look that provides the contrasting side to the coin for Westwood's customers.
Backcombed bird's nest hair was created by Malcolm Edwards' team, who teased and sprayed bouffants, spraying them to take on a grey tone, while make up was by Alex Box, who conjured up a Midsummer Night's Dream feel with dramatic eyes in aqua tones of blue and green, silver and red.
High praise: Vivienne Westwood receives her applause at the finale of her
catwalk show last night
The show was well-received, with some saying it was her best - and the one that most easily translates from catwalk to customer - they'd seen in years.
'My customers are the best ambassadors for my clothes,' Dame Westwood said of the show.
'When people discover them, they seem to have an edge.
Of course, her love for the everyday Westwood customer does not preclude an appreciation for the more elite brand ambassadors.
''Honestly, I'm very proud of my customers, but I do love to dress the supermodels,' Dame Vivienne admits.
'Glamour has a sense of archetype and I adore those archetypal beauties.
Fashion is alive when it is being worn and talked about.'
Drama: Vivienne Westwood's collection contained her trademark structured dresses that emphasise and flatter the female form
Avant-garde: Vivienne Westwood pushes the boundaries with her collections - but this year's offering was more wearable then previous years, say fashion commentators
Vivienne's blue period: Part of the collection was made up of a simple palette
of blues and greys