Jewellery has always lent gravitas to the Queen of Punk, Vivienne Westwood's diverse body of work—disruptive, seductive and desirable. Now discover countless iterations of the iconic Orb logo alongside eye-catching materials like pearls and crystals, all reflecting the label's unique point of view at the unique Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery exhibit debuting in Shanghai’s Taikoo Li Qiantan. Exploring the design language and subversive spirit of the British design house, this first-of-its-kind exhibit showcases a special archive and runway jewellery, spanning four decades, which have been curated and displayed as a collection. All in all, an immersive look at Vivienne Westwood’s extensive history of jewellery design encompassing Westwood’s sensibilities for historical reference, culture, past and present ideas.
When Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren unveiled their first boutique on the King's Road in the early 1970s, London's style landscape celebrated 60's Bohemia. However, their cutting-edge designs, sublimated by provocative prints, an overpowering fetish-y undercurrent and oodles of metallic hardware caused a sensation. By 1976, the label's epoch-defining aesthetic became the cornerstone of the British punk movement. Cut to the present, and that spirit of rebel chic continues to make its presence felt through all the label's creations, including its opulent jewellery.
Her statement-making jewellery, with unexpected detailing, is mildly inspired by quintessentially British insignia, encapsulating Westwood's distinctive take on design, which derives motifs from Britain's heritage and reinterprets it in a tongue-in-cheek way.
Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery will be played out through several themes, divided across eight rooms, each dedicated to distinct decades of design; from punk origins to fantasies of Wonderland, the ecological philosophy of Do It Yourself, an exploration of cultures and 18th Century Parure, and an ode to the house emblem in The Orb Tree.
Visitors can expect eclectic pairings of jewellery and garments. Each creation is presented as an objet d’art, surrounded by a mélange of sounds, catwalk looks, graphic wall collages, imagery and video, recalling iconic past collections and runway shows, offering a unique perspective into Vivienne Westwood's world. Visitors will be taken on a journey through time, from the 1980s to the present day.
The experience extends beyond the exhibition with a branded pop-up Vivienne Westwood Café and a Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery boutique, offering limited-edition accessories and jewellery, alongside exclusive scarves and t-shirts. Lastly, visitors to Taikoo Li Mall can fully immerse themselves in the Vivienne Westwood world by visiting the Giant Orb photo booth to capture the moment.
