We mourn the loss of a brilliant artist and tireless activist

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Vivienne Westwood at the age of 81.

Westwood’s revolutionary role in fashion in the 1970s and 1980s is well known. But she was also a tireless advocate of numerous political, societal, and environmental causes, speaking out against nuclear weapons, animal rights and arbitrary detentions, among other issues. She used her influence as a designer to push for sustainability in the fashion industry and publicly campaigned against deforestation, overconsumption, and fossil fuel corporations.

A DiEM25 member and supporter from the very beginning, Westwood was part of our first Coordinating Collective in 2016, and joined forces with us in calling for the end of the illegal detention of another DiEMer, Julian Assange, in London in 2020 – still indefatigable at almost 79.

Although Westwood didn’t live to see Assange freed, DiEM25 and progressives in the UK and around the world will always find inspiration in her as we carry on the fight for his freedom, and for many of the other causes to which she dedicated so much of her seemingly endless energy and resoluteness.

Farewell, Vivienne.

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