Vivienne Westwood is never one to shy away from a political statement. From climate change to Britain's imminent departure from the EU, the outspoken designer will make her opinions heard loud and clear.
This year, the high-fashion priestess returned to the catwalk format with a joint women’s and menswear’s show at London Fashion Week. Having dropped the catwalk in favour of digital presentations for the last two seasons, we were expecting something big.
And today's show did not disappoint. Much like her SS16 Red Label collection, Westwood quite literally turned her AW 19/20 show into a protest - and gradually ticked off every global problem we're currently facing.
From global warming to sustainability, free speech, austerity, Brexit and our information overloaded society, she left no stone unturned.
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A diverse set of models, including actress and activist Rose McGowan, gave speeches and read poems as they walked down the catwalk. 'We need more heroes,' said McGowan, who was one of the first women to publicly accuse Harvey Weinstein of assault last year.
Just minutes later another model shouted: 'tax the poor and give to the rich, that's the lie with the long nose'. The idea being that money is good for the world, despite five million people in the UK being unable to afford basic food or shelter. In case you'd glazed over at this point, the words were read out by models wearing prosthetic noses.
Coat were filled with Julian Assange quotes on 'globalism' and free speech. Meanwhile several Green Peace employees walked and took aim at the world's most powerful: 'We aim to save the arctic from motherfuckers like Shell and Putin.'
Somewhat unsurprisingly, climate change and sustainability were huge topics. If there's one key idea you should take away from Westwood's show it's this: stop filling your homes with clothes you don't need.
'Fashion is all about styling, buy less, choose well, make it last,' said one model, while the message was printed (literally and somewhat ironically) on bags and shoes.
Towards the end, another model swiped at our imminent leaving of the European Union. 'Brexit is a crime, we should be cooperating, not cutting ourselves off from the world,' they said, a sentiment very much echoed in previous Westwood shows.
Oh, and if that wasn't enough, the designer also wants to raise £100 million to save the rainforest.
To call the show a political statement is, well, an understatement. Nobody has retained their voice and juggled politics, activism and fashion as well as Vivienne Westwood. And, as one Twitter user pointed out, more designers and creatives need to be as unapologetic.
All hail Queen Viv.
