Tributes to Dame Vivienne Westwood have poured in following the death of the 'undisputed Queen of British fashion'. She died 'peacefully and surrounded by her family' in London, her fashion house confirmed.
Fellow designer Marc Jacobs said he was 'heartbroken', writing on Instagram: 'You did it first. Always... I continue to learn from your words and all of your extraordinary creations.' Supermodel Naomi Campbell called her a 'force of nature', while Bella Hadid described the designer as 'the sun' of the fashion industry.
Westwood, 81, rose to prominence in the 1970s with her punk and new wave styles, dressing the Sex Pistols and later becoming a staunch activist for causes such as climate change. She was made a dame in 2006.
Her husband and creative partner Andreas Kronthaler said: 'I will continue with Vivienne in my heart. We have been working until the end and she has given me plenty of things to get on with.'
Music legend Sir Paul McCartney called her 'a ballsy lady who rocked the fashion world', and Chrissie Hynde said the world was 'already a less interesting place'. Artist Tracey Emin remembered her as a friend who challenged and cared for her.
From Marc Jacobs to Stella McCartney, the fashion world united in mourning a true original who 'invented historic fashion design moments that woke us all up and shook the industry to its core.'
