1994 Vivienne Westwood Pinstripe Wool Jacket & High-Low Trained Skirt Ensemble

ID: 1211233

Size: small

Condition: excellent

An important and highly coveted Vivienne Westwood black pinstripe light weight wool two-piece ensemble dating back to her iconic 1994 'Café Society' spring-summer collection. Vivienne Westwood is one of the most influential and recognizable British designers of the past 40 years. She began designing clothes in 1971 with the opening of her first shop, Let It Rock, at 430 King's Road. In 1976, her then lover and business partner Malcolm McLaren guaranteed her status among the stars when he dressed the Sex Pistols, the British band he managed, in clothes from the boutique. She was named British Designer of the Year, both in 1990 and 1991. The following December, she was awarded an OBE in recognition of her services to British fashion and in 1998 she won the Queen's Export Award.
This ultra chic ensemble from Vivienne Westwood’s sensational 1994 Café Society spring-summer collection is a clever play on traditional male suiting and a perfect example of her genius. Café Society is a retelling of how European history has shaped women's fashion. The central question of this show asked what does a woman free from restriction look like? Although this show is filled with historical fashion references, Westwood subverts them by placing it on a new canvas, a liberated woman. Made from a luxurious light-weight wool, the pinstripe reads masculine yet the cut has an ultra feminine allure. The blazer features a flattering curved petal cut waist and lean, long sleeves. The gold buttons are etched with the iconic Vivienne Westwood logo orb. The matching high-low trained skirt is a statement piece in it's own right. It could be styled with many other pieces like a corset or crop top for a totally different vibe. It is constructed to nip at the waist and cascade down in an incredible high-low waterfall trained hemline. I love how it almost resembles a deflated Victorian bustle. The combination of historical references, sex appeal, and exceptional craftsmanship makes this set a rare and noteworthy look that reflects the creativity of Vivienne Westwood.

Measurements
Blazer (marked a size 12)
Bust: 34-35 inches
Waist: 27 inches
Total Length: 20.5 inches
Sleeve Length: 24 inches
Trained Skirt (marked a size 10)
Waist: 26 inches
Hips: 36 inches
Front Length: 27 inches
Back Length: 55 inches

The 1994 Vivienne Westwood Gold Label Café Society ensemble is in beautiful condition with no stains or discoloration. Jacket lined in dusty pink colored satin acetate. Only sign of age is two tiny heel holes to the back train which are not noticeable when worn. A wonderful and wearable piece of fashion history.