westwood

DIRECTOR: lorna tucker (ava)
documentary

REVIEWER: lyall carter

★★★

Since igniting the punk movement with ex-partner and Sex Pistols' manager Malcolm McLaren, Dame Vivienne Westwood has been redefining British fashion for over 40 years and is responsible for creating many of the most distinctive looks of recent time. Blending archival footage and insightful interviews a portrait emerges of Vivienne's fascinating network of collaborators, taking viewers on her journey -- from a childhood in postwar Derbyshire to the runways of Paris and Milan.

There is no doubt about it that Vivienne Westwood is an utter legend. Even I had heard her name, although I am very far from being a fashionista. Unfortunately this doco doesn't quite live up to the legend. 

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Westwood explores Vivienne Westwood's life and career from schoolgirl encounter with a painting of the Christ's crucifixion that greatly impacted her, through the punk rock movement and the Sex Pistol years to her fashion design and environmental activism of today. 

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The most interesting aspect of the documentary is the exploration of the personal and working relationship between Vivienne and her husband Andreas Kronthaler as they work on the current collection together. 

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Even though we have a glimpse of Westwood's life and of the development and creative rush of the fashion industry, it does feel more of a broad brush stroke of a documentary than an in depth exploration of Westwood's life, career, or the fashion industry as a whole. 

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More of a brush stroke than an in depth doco, Westwood gives the audience a glimpse at a 21st century pioneer and icon. 

★★★

Westwood is available on DVD and digital from all good disc and digital retailers.