Westwood Family Criticizes Role in Riyadh Fashion Week; McCartney will also walk; The Vivienne Foundation launches t-shirts

Vivienne Westwood's participation in Riyadh Fashion Week has been criticized by the late designer's family, with her granddaughter criticizing her, saying that the brand's recent decisions, including its decision to show in Riyadh, “do not align with the values ​​or desires” of the late designer.

Cora I ran. has been critical of other aspects of the brand's actions since Westwood's death in late 2022.

But the Westwood company has defended its participation, saying that its presence at the event is “a way to encourage dialogue” and “generate understanding.”

It is not the only Western brand to show there in the first season that fashion week opens to international brands.

The pioneer in sustainability and the fight against animal cruelty, Stella McCartney, will close Riyadh Fashion Week with her first show in the Middle East, on October 21.

The show will feature a special edition of recent collections alongside a selection of “archival looks that reflect the house's enduring design codes and commitment to innovation.”

The company said that “the 95% conscious and 100% cruelty-free collection will be introduced to a new regional audience, highlighting the brand's pioneering approach to sustainable fashion.”

The collection will showcase vegan alternatives to ostrich leather in YATAY M (formulated with fungal mycelium and recycled materials), forest-friendly viscose, deadstock fabrics, recycled mesh designed to safely decompose at the end of its life, GOTS-certified organic cotton and silk, and recycled nylon, polyester and cotton.

The embroidery includes lead-free crystals, faceted bead chains, and vegan resin-based beads.

Meanwhile, news of Vivienne Westwood's appearance on the Riyadh catwalk (which includes creating exclusive pieces for the event) came shortly before the Vivienne Foundation, which is not related to the company, unveiled a new collection of special edition t-shirts, featuring four “iconic” prints and retailing for £150 each.

Kate Moss, Fontaines DC and Cora Corré star in the secondary campaign shot remotely by Nick Knight SHOWstudio.

The t-shirts are the Vivienne Foundation's first official project since Westwood's death and the foundation said there will be a “special series of 500 luxury t-shirts designed by Vivienne herself” with all proceeds donated to “four grassroots organizations aligned with the Foundation's pillars of activism.”