Vivienne Westwood

Rebel stylist: Caroline Baker – the woman who invented street fashion



Rebel Stylist - Caroline Baker for Vogue - photography Harri Peccinotti

If you’re struggling for killer fashion gift ideas, allow me to make a recommendation.

I’ve just received my copy of Rebel Stylist*, a fantastic delve into the story of fashion styling straight from the lips (and visual archive) of the lady who invented it all, Caroline Baker. Caroline is a legend in the industry. She has worked for everyone, from Nova magazine to The Face, Vogue and i-D, as well as with iconic designers and brands including Benetton (the Toscani ads), Katharine Hamnett and Vivienne Westwood. Not to mention photographers – Helmut Newton, Hari Peccinotti, Sarah Moon, Guy Bourdin, Saul Leiter. Every mainstream trend you can think of – layering, military surplus, power dressing, underwear-as-outerwear – she was there first, trailblazing well before most of us were in nappies. (more…)



The Life and Times of Malcolm McLaren



The Life and Times of Malcolm McLaren book by Paul Gorman

This Malcolm McLaren biography is likely to get a lot of attention from McLaren-heads when it comes out. Written by Paul Gorman, author of The Story of The Face, Mr Freedom and The Look: Adventures in Rock and Pop Fashion, he knows his fashion onions and you can trust he will have done thorough research. (I didn’t realise he was still writing his most excellent blog, Paul Gorman Is… Oops, maybe not.)

Back to Malcolm, The Life and Times of Malcolm McLaren promises to be the definitive biography of the cross-cultural visionary whose influence looms larger than ever. (more…)



Wake Up Punk



Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood

“There are bits of the film that make me cringe, but they are there because I think they answer important questions. At the time, when I decided to burn all of that stuff, it was an obvious provocation to people and I expected to be attacked for doing it. People accused me of trying to get back at my father over our relationship.”

OK, I’m very much looking forward to this Joe Corré documentary, ‘Wake Up Punk’, slated for release later this year. (more…)



THE DRG STYLE INDEX: Burberry, Vivienne Westwood, Gucci, Grenson, Matches



Here’s the latest weekly DRG STYLE INDEX ranking, a round-up of the brands and industry stories currently buzzing on my radar…

All attention has been on couture this week, with a wonderful Valentino show (Valentino is winning couture for me at the mo, not least for Pierpaolo’s studio antics), a pleasingly understated Dior show, and a shimmering Chanel show (watch my verdict on SHOWstudio). Elsewhere, these were my big stories…

BURBERRY X VIVIENNE WESTWOOD
Burberry X Vivienne Westwood collaboration
Now here’s a collab I can get behind. Burberry and Vivienne Westwood are joining forces to rework pieces from the Westwood archive in support of rainforest charity Cool Earth. (more…)