Ibiza has long been a draw card for eccentric characters… a quick vuelta around Plaza del Parque and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about (and not just at 7am on a Tuesday morning). Along with the Ibicencan tolerance for people who are a bit ‘different’ it’s definitely one of the things that makes the island special.
Vivienne Westwood once famously said she has an ‘in-built clock that reacts against anything orthodox.’ So if she were looking for a new home (ignoring the fact that she has pale skin and probably detests the sun), she would be welcomed here in Ibiza with open arms. If you don’t know who Westwood is, it’s fair to say you are unlikely to be reading a style blog in the first place, so I’m only going to say that the grande dame (and she really is a dame too) of British fashion, and the woman who practically invented punk, is showing no signs of slowing down or acting anything like most 60-somethings from Cheshire. And hoorah for that!
Westwood’s collections may be based in English tailoring, but there is nothing remotely staid about them. They are always beautifully constructed and hang fabulously, not like some designer labels (that I shan’t name!) made only for rake thin size zeros. Having said that, the menswear designer once told me Westwood ‘doesn’t design clothes for the idle man’ but then one weekend of non-stop dancing on this island means it’s possible to drop several sizes…
The label churns out three collections per season for women (Gold and Red Labels plus Anglomania) and menswear as well, and Dame Vivienne is still heavily involved in all aspects. One technique the crafty designer uses is to distort and exaggerate the shape of the body, so the clothes are literally with a twist. Her production is always very limited so pieces quickly become collectors’ items and for those particularly special pieces, eBay bidding gets rather frenzied.
Spring/summer ‘must haves’ this year included a red paisley shirt with an asymmetrical collar for men, and a black top emblazoned with a gold ‘Toro’ for women… after seeing it online, Ibiza fashion boutique reVOLVER – who stock the Anglomania and MAN lines – even had someone request one from Hong Kong!
For those who have better things to do than surf the internet during this fabulous weather (after you’ve had your daily dose of White Ibiza of course!), and those who want to invest in some future classics, the new men’s collections have just hit the shelves, with the women’s collections due to arrive this month, so now is the time to pull out that trusty credit card and get shopping.
Vivienne Westwood – Dame good clothes.
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