Vivienne Westwood’s fearless approach to design has long blurred the line between fashion, art, and rebellion. Now, a new book — Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery, published by Thames & Hudson — celebrates her creative legacy through the lens of jewellery for the very first time.
A Legacy in Jewels
Written by fashion critic Alexander Fury in collaboration with the house of Vivienne Westwood, the book explores the designer’s instantly recognisable jewellery vocabulary. “Safety-pins piercing faces. Pearl chokers and droplet earrings borrowed from Elizabethan portraits. Bondage chains and sado-masochistic cuffs,” writes Fury. Each piece captures the brand’s signature mix of luxury and subversion.
For Westwood, jewellery was never just decoration — it was a form of expression. Her designs ranged from hand-strung “broken” pearls and punk-inspired paperclip earrings to the iconic orb emblem, symbolising heritage, unity, and progress.
“Jewellery is powerful, and it can be loaded with meaning,” says Andreas Kronthaler, Creative Director at Vivienne Westwood. “The Orb logo itself is a jewel, symbolising the world with its past, its present, and its future. It’s very British and very Vivienne.”
Inside the Book
The book opens with an introduction by Fury and unfolds across ten themed chapters, including Pearls, Do It Yourself, Pagan and Drops & Bows. Each section highlights the recurring motifs, materials, and inspirations that shaped Westwood’s creative universe.
Illustrated with nearly 200 photographs by Philippe Lacombe, the book showcases pieces such as the Chaos Necklace, Hardcore Paperclip Earrings, and Nymph Earrings. Softer designs, like the Flower Skull Necklace, offer contrast. Every piece is catalogued with its season, materials, and inspiration, creating a complete visual record of Westwood’s artistry.
Beyond the Pages
The publication coincides with the Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery international exhibition, which debuted at Te Papa, the National Museum of New Zealand, in late 2024. The show presents Westwood’s jewellery alongside her most iconic garments, mixing sound, video, and catwalk imagery for an immersive experience.
After its run in Shanghai in July 2025, the exhibition will continue to tour globally across Asia, the USA, and Europe, allowing audiences worldwide to explore the designer’s world up close.
A Defining Force in Fashion
Since opening her King’s Road boutique in 1971, Westwood has redefined what jewellery can represent. Chains once hung from slogan T-shirts, while pearls and crowns added a rebellious edge to traditional elegance. Her creations remain bold, thought-provoking, and unmistakably British.
Ultimately, Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery captures the essence of her work — daring yet refined, playful yet political. It offers a vivid glimpse into how Westwood transformed jewellery into an act of self-expression and storytelling.
Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery by Alexander Fury is available now
