Fashion | WESTWOOD: Punk. Icon. Activist. Toronto Premiere
It’s finally here! The film I’ve been DYING TO WATCH since I saw the runner for it months back for the UK premiere has arrived in Toronto and for ONLY 1 WEEK! WESTWOOD: PUNK, ICON, ACTIVIST premieres at two favourite Toronto venues: Hot Docs Cinema & TIFF Bell Lightbox on June 29th.
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Dame Vivienne Westwood: punk, icon, provocateur, and one of the most influential originators in recent history. This is the first film to encompass the remarkable story of one of the true icons of our time, as she fights to maintain her brand’s integrity, her principles – and her legacy.
With exclusive access to the behind the scenes workings of one of Britain’s most iconic fashion houses and an unprecedented cast of real life characters, WESTWOOD: PUNK, ICON, ACTIVIST is an untold story of a global icon – the grand dame of punk and the enfant terrible of British fashion.
A self-proclaimed daydreamer, Vivienne Westwood came from humble beginnings in the north of England, arriving in London at 17 in the midst of the swinging sixties. Her life changed course dramatically when she met Sex Pistols Manager and impresario Malcolm McLaren and their Kings Road shop launched punk, and revolutionized popular culture.
Over the next forty years Vivienne persevered through failed relationships, personal vendettas, the mockery of the press, and financial hardship, to endure as a British cultural icon and global fashion phenomenon. Today Westwood sits alongside Gucci, Dior and McQueen – but what’s unique about Vivienne is that she is the only namesake who still owns and runs her empire, and at seventy-six shows no sign of slowing down. The film follows Vivienne at a pivotal time, as her company opens flagship stores in the fashion capitals of Paris and New York. What begins as a celebration of the brand across their busiest year soon becomes more complex, as we see that global success comes at a price.
I’ll be giving away 2 pair of passes to watch a screening of the documentary during its week-long run of the film at Hot Docs Cinema. Stay tuned to my Twitter and Facebook Page for your chance to score a pair of passes!
