Vivienne Westwood: What is True Status?
By Iris Vaughn
In a world constantly bombarded with messages about fashion, trends, and what defines “good style,” it’s easy to lose sight of the real meaning behind status. We’re told that status comes from wearing the right labels, spending big, following the latest trends, and fitting into a particular aesthetic. But Vivienne Westwood, one of the most iconic designers of our time, believed something radically different: the best style and true status come from being unapologetically yourself. Through her work, she demonstrated that fashion isn’t about fitting in; it’s about expressing who you truly are. True status, Westwood taught us, is found in embracing individuality and rejecting the societal pressures to conform.
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The rising popularity of personal style-embodied by figures like Jane Birkin and Carrie Bradshaw-shows that Westwood’s message is more relevant today than ever. These style icons are celebrated not just for their looks, but for their ability to express their authentic selves through fashion. Their status isn’t about wealth or conformity, but about confidence in owning their unique sense of style. This, for Westwood, was the essence of true status.
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Westwood’s passing in December 2022 may have marked the end of an era, but her legacy is more important than ever. Her designs were never about dressing rebelliously just for the sake of it. Instead, her work celebrated the power of dressing authentically. Her signature deconstructed silhouettes, exposed seams, and unfinished edges were not a mere act of rebellion but a rejection of societal constraints-an embrace of the freedom to express one’s true self. She believed that true status doesn’t come from following trends or seeking external approval, but from making bold choices with lasting value. Fashion, for Westwood, was about creating something meaningful, not just chasing novelty.
A quote from Westwood encapsulates this philosophy: “The only reason I’m in fashion is to destroy the word conformity.” For her, fashion wasn’t about adhering to what was “in” or dictated by mainstream culture. It was about breaking free from the rules of how we should look or what we should wear. True style, for Westwood, emerged from individuality, not conformity. Fashion was a tool for self-expression and liberation, not for blending in. Through her designs, she challenged us to rethink what true style—and true status—really means.
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In a 2011 interview with The Guardian, she explained that true status wasn’t about keeping up with fleeting trends or flaunting wealth. It came from making choices that reflected one’s identity and values. She gave the example of carrying a book as a status symbol-not because of its price, but because it reflected personal intellect and individuality. For Westwood, status was about authenticity, not external validation. Her message was clear: true status comes from the freedom to express your authentic self, not from conforming to temporary fads.
True status isn’t determined by wealth, fame, or societal approval- it’s about self-acceptance. In a world that pushes conformity, true style is born from expressing your authentic self, not from meeting external expectations. The ultimate expression of status is the courage to embrace individuality.
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