Vivienne Westwood Red Label’s Rebel with a Cause Collection for Fall 2014 (Runway Review)

The Scene: Vivienne Westwood Red Label’s Fall 2014 collection in the BFC Courtyard at Somerset House.

The Inspiration: The show’s “Fracking We Need To Talk” invite indicated that Westwood would do exactly what she does best and simultaneously create a collection that’s as equally aesthetically pleasing as it is either politically or environmentally rooted. This season drew attention to fracking and presented a collection contrived around the ideology of a woman who’s born into privileged means yet is still engaged with the world.

The Look: The show’s notes explained that the first look would say everything you needed to know about the entire collection, and so, out bounced a voluminous coat, silky frilled shirt and velvet skirt that projected the message of a woman who is going somewhere. The look was demure and conjured up a working girl vibe as boxy yet feminine suits set the tone in stylish red and blue tartans, but an edgier vibe quickly took over as the same style suits were then transformed into punk-feeling leathers. This was quite the contrast to a perhaps Dickensian look that later emerged, achieved by top hats and tailored jackets injected with a heart panel twist. A vintage and somewhat nostalgic theme prevailed throughout the collection.

The Accessories: Several of the outfits were completed by hats, with some eliciting an era evocative statement thanks to vintage-esque head scarves created by Albisetti and Mantero. Vivienne Westwood jewelry often appeared in the form of subtle pearls or brooches in contrast to the odd pair of statement earrings.

The Beauty: Val Garland at Streeters and the MAC Cosmetics team were responsible for the show’s makeup with a smudged red statement lip taking center stage, while the hairstyles were created by Toni & Guy.

The Casting: DM Fashion Studio selected the show’s models, who were cheered on by a front row consisting of pop stars Jessie J and Paloma Faith — the perfect Westwood style girls, if you will.

The Takeaway: For us, the Westwood girl is the rebel with a cause, and this is one collection that offers a multitude of stylistic possibilities for both the artistic and the adventurous. 

All images: IMAXtree