Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery had its world première at Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington, New Zealand on Thursday night, with both COO Giuseppe Aragonia and jewellery and accessories’ designer Alex Krenn making their way from the house to oversee the exhibition and opening.
Krenn noted the appropriateness of launching the exhibition in New Zealand as the Vivienne Westwood house is ‘about the planet, the people, the gaia,’ and he saw parallels in the country.
A sustainable, zero-waste exhibition by Nomad Exhibitions, the retrospective features 550 pieces spanning four decades of work from Vivienne Westwood.
Opening night saw model and performer Jaxson Cook sing on a catwalk before the official speeches and welcome.
The exhibition has been divided into five sections. The first is dominated by large screens, featuring Dame Vivienne and her creations, as well as clothing designs on mannequins from more recent collections, immersing visitors into her world and her beliefs, including her activism. Parure demonstrates Dame Vivienne’s love of the adornment of the 18th century. Do It Yourself highlights her own DIY approach to jewellery creation, the house’s encouragement of improvisation and its criticism of capitalism and over-consumption. The Orb looks at a design that has been with Vivienne Westwood since 1985, blending the royal motif of the orb with a Saturn ring. Finally, Miscellany shows the Vivienne Westwood items that, like the woman herself, refused to be characterized.
Many of the items are from the house’s own collection, and never before exhibited.
The exhibition will then travel to Asia, the US and Europe.
Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery runs till April 27 in Wellington. Further details and connected events can be found at the Te Papa website.