Wikileaks founder Julian Assange will request leave from the high-security Belmarsh Prison to attend Dame Vivienne Westwood's funeral, his wife says.
Dame Vivienne was a vocal supporter and friend of Mr Assange for more than a decade, famously protesting against his incarceration suspended in a bird cage.
She died in London on Thursday aged 81.
Mr Assange is fighting extradition to the US on charges related to the publication of thousands of classified documents in 2010 and 2011.
His wife Stella Assange, who has described Dame Vivienne as "irreplaceable", told the BBC her husband and the designer had a close personal relationship.
Having known Mr Assange for more than 10 years, she said Dame Vivienne was a strong supporter of WikiLeaks' work.
"I know that Julian would want to honour her," said Ms Assange, adding that her husband's solicitor had been asked to put in a request for him to attend.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman told the BBC that it was unlikely such a request would be granted as this kind of leave was only meant for close relatives.
However, there was no explicit ban, he said, and it was up to prison governors to decide on a case-by-case basis.
A relevant guidance document states that applications should "balance security considerations with those of decency, and should only be refused on security grounds".
Mrs Assange insisted there was "no obvious reason" why the prison would not be able to grant the request, arguing there were "good compassionate reasons why it should".
Details of Dame Vivienne's funeral have not yet been made public.
The Derbyshire-born designer made her name with her controversial punk and new wave styles in the 1970s and went on to dress a number of big stars.
Mr Assange himself described her as a "pillar of the anti-establishment", in comments released by his wife on Twitter.
He saluted Dame Vivienne's creativity and friendship, saying she would be "missed terribly by me and many others".
One headline-grabbing show of support for the Wikileaks founder saw Dame Vivienne suspending herself inside a large cage outside the Old Bailey in 2020.
She condemned her friend's detention as a "stitch-up", and led other protesters in chanting for his release.
Dame Vivienne also designed the wedding dress seen during Julian and Stella Assange's small wedding ceremony in Belmarsh earlier this year.
She cemented her friendship with Mr Assange by visiting him regularly during his long stay at the Ecuadorian embassy in London as well as in Belmarsh, Mrs Assange said.
The two saw in the 2015 New Year together at the embassy, she added.
Mr Assange took refuge there for seven years, seeking asylum to avoid extradition. As well as his work with Wikileaks, he faced a rape allegation in Sweden. That investigation was later dropped.
But he was removed from the embassy in 2019 and imprisoned, and now faces a US trial over a leak of military information.
A request to hand him over has been approved by the UK government. However, Mr Assange is battling this, and has said the case against him is politically motivated.
Iwalked into Let It Rock, looking for a pair of brothel creepers. I’d been in there a bit too long and some guy says: “Can I help you?” I said I was looking for work. I’d been fired from my part-time job in the trouser department at Whiteley’s. He told me to call Malcolm and Vivienne. That’s how I started out in the shop. They probably thought I was just some straight kid, which I was.
A month or two later, I asked Vivienne to ask Malcolm if he’d give me a reference for art college. She said: “Really? I don’t think you’d want to ask Malcolm because he’s been thrown out of every college in London.” Straightaway I was more interested in them and they were more interested in me.
That summer, McLaren and Westwood turned the shop into Sex. They were fed up with the rightwing mentality of the teddy boys and I helped with the sign outside. I’d learned how to silk-screen, so they asked me to do two images: a big red baseball player with a massive dick and another of two cowboys with their willies touching. I said I’d give it a go. It took too long and Vivienne got all dogmatic, saying I was trying to censor her work when I wasn’t at all. If you got on her wrong side, she’d let you know.
About then, Steve (Jones) and Paul (Cook) started coming in. It was my job to keep an eye on them. They were trying to get a band together and I overheard them saying they needed a bass player. So that’s how it started.
A lot of people think Vivienne and Malcolm made all the clothes but they didn’t – they provided a base where we all met. The hippest place in London on a Saturday afternoon, where every oddball and weirdo congregated. We gravitated there for our own reasons, a mishmash of people who went on to do something. And Vivienne was like the madam of a belle epoque salon. I don’t think she did it deliberately. She picked up on things, such as when John [Lydon] came in with a safety pin through his ear.
Whatever she did, she did with real artisanship and craft. If something came back from Mr Green in the East End with a seam in the wrong place, Vivienne was on it. She used tailoring to get her ideas across, to turn what you were supposed to look like on its head. She was always at the V&A or the Wallace Collection. She was into the conflict of ideas and knew what she wanted to do.
She was one of the first vegetarians I met. Yet when I got chicken, she’d take the bones home to boil and sew on to T-shirts. They’d had the shop less than a year when I turned up and were still trying to work out what they wanted to do. It’s amazing now. There’s a Vivienne Westwood flagship store in Shanghai and go to Harajuku in Tokyo and the girls are dressed in Westwood. From chicken bones to head of a fashion empire: it’s only by sticking out that you get lasting acclaim and to have continual success is hard. She did it. I’m not sure we’ll see the likes of her again.
..........Read full articleVivienne Westwood is a British fashion designer known for her bold and edgy style. From dresses and skirts to tops and accessories, Vivienne Westwood's collections are always filled with statement-making pieces that embrace individuality. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the latest fashion trends from Vivienne Westwood, as well as how to find the best deals on Vivienne Westwood products through outlets, sales, and online shopping.
Trend #1: Structured and Bold Dresses
One of the standout trends from Vivienne Westwood's latest collection is structured and bold dresses. From form-fitting mini dresses to flowing maxi dresses, these pieces are designed to make a statement. The use of materials like satin and silk adds a touch of luxury, while the variety of colors and prints means there's something for everyone.
Trend #2: Eye-Catching and Unique Accessories
Vivienne Westwood is also known for her eye-catching and unique accessories, which are perfect for adding a touch of personality to any outfit. From statement-making bags and shoes to bold and colorful jewelry, these pieces are designed to turn heads. The use of materials like leather and metal adds a touch of sophistication, while the variety of shapes and sizes means there's something for everyone.
Trend #3: Edgy and Experimental Tops
In addition to dresses and accessories, Vivienne Westwood's latest collection also includes a range of edgy and experimental tops. From oversized blouses and sweatshirts to crop tops and bodysuits, these pieces are perfect for making a fashion statement. The use of materials like denim and leather adds a touch of toughness, while the variety of cuts and shapes means there's something for everyone.
Where to Find the Best Deals on Vivienne Westwood Products
If you're looking to score a deal on Vivienne Westwood products, there are a few options to consider. One option is to check out Vivienne Westwood outlets, which often have discounted prices on a variety of styles. You can also keep an eye out for Vivienne Westwood sales, which are a great opportunity to save on your favorite products. Another option is to shop online, as many retailers offer discounts and promotions on Vivienne Westwood products.
Conclusion:
Vivienne Westwood is a British fashion designer known for her bold and edgy style. From structured and bold dresses to eye-catching and unique accessories to edgy and experimental tops, there's something for everyone in her latest collection. By shopping at outlets, looking for sales, and shopping online, you can find the best deals on Vivienne Westwood products and embrace your individuality.
..........Read full articleWithin the confines on HMP Belmarsh today, four guests and two witnesses gathered to watch the nuptials of Julian Assange and Stella Moris. The couple, despite clearly testing circumstances, dressed the part in Vivienne Westwood couture.
Making her way into the prison, Moris looked a spectacle in the custom lilac duchess satin corseted frock, finished with roses sewn into the bodice. It came with a statement veil trailing on the floor, complete with colourful embroidered messages from friends and family who could not attend.
..........Read full article
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