Vivienne Westwood is being honoured in her hometown of Glossop, Derbyshire with a one-of-a-kind walking tour which celebrates her iconic legacy and talent.
The Grand Dame of fashion was born in the town in 1941. Vivienne attended school in Glossop and was always effusive about her early years and the rugged landscape of the High Peak, especially around her home village of Tintwistle.
Called ‘Too inspired to be tired’, the walking tour on 13th May is being curated and led by culture expert Martha Camarillo as part of Glossop Creates’. The ‘catwalk’ along Glossop’s High Street will explore Vivienne Westwood’s early years, family, influences and inspirations, and will explore what might have inspired a girl from a small town to become an international icon and one of the most influential British designers in fashion history.
Claire Tymon who heads up Glossop Creates said: “Vivienne was a radical and an activist who used her talent as a fashion designer to make statements about what was important to her and the world. Our wander will encourage you as participants to explore what is important to you, and how you can use your talent to create the change you want to see.
“Participants for this event are encouraged to dress for the occasion, to step into Vivienne’s shoes and attend the walk wearing their most eccentric, bold and rebellious outfits! We will end our wander at Victoria Hall, where participants are invited to take part in a catwalk to show off their Vivienne inspired outfits, with prizes for the best dressed.
“Small town doesn’t mean small ambition. This is the motto of our arts organisation Local, which runs Glossop Creates and aims to make places as interesting, eclectic and accessible as possible through arts and culture.”
I’m not interested in nationalism. I’m interested in the way people appear and the influence this has on others. If you dress in the right way, you show power and culture.” – Vivienne Westwood.
Walk curator, Martha Camarillo said: “Vivienne Westwood’s persona has always intrigued me. It’s all about her; a life filled with intensity and stimulating stories, a woman who always saw beyond what the eye sees. Someone who always wanted to find the heart of the matter and channelled her actions and ideas to the next level with her characteristic passion, and her strong, sharp temperament. She had the ability to transform herself and others.”
Although the town is situated at the gateway to the Peak District National Park, it is only 30 minutes from Manchester Piccadilly by direct train – and Glossop now boasts a number of restaurants, vegan delis and bars making it a convenient place to visit from the city.
Glossop boasts a street mural of Vivienne Westwood that was painted by local artist Deggy in Summer 2022.
The Wander walk will take place on Saturday 13th May and will start at 3pm by Deggy’s mural, on Chapel Street. It lasts 1.5 hours, so far be it from us to tell you what to wear, but the terrain is unlikely to be suitable for some of Vivienne’s more elaborate platform heels.
To book your place, click HERE
