LONDON.- Christie’s have paid tribute to the revolutionary British fashion designer and activist Vivienne Westwood, with Vivienne Westwood: The Personal Collection raising funds for the charitable causes she championed during her lifetime. Part I, the live auction, realised a total of £465,192 with proceeds from the sale benefitting The Vivienne Foundation, Amnesty International, Médecins Sans Frontières and Greenpeace. The auction was 100% sold, attracting both institutional buyers and new participants to Christie’s, with 33% of registered bidders Millennials and 9% Gen Z.

Spanning four decades of one of the most influential designers of modern times, 95 lots were sold in Vivienne Westwood: The Personal Collection Part I, each of them representing a significant moment in Vivienne's life and career.

THE BIG PICTURE – Vivienne’s Playing Cards, a project by The Vivienne Foundation for Greenpeace, opened the auction. The limited-edition playing cards, produced in a deluxe edition of ten portfolios, the first of which was presented in a unique linen-covered hand-embroidered box, realised a total of £37,800, leading the sale.

Worn to a gala event held in Vivienne Westwood’s honour at London’s V&A Museum in 1998, 'Dressed to Scale' Collection, Autumn-Winter 1998 / 99, a corset gown of taupe silk taffeta achieved £32,760 against an estimate of £5,000-8,000.

Underscoring Vivienne Westwood’s belief that clothes should live forever, Vivienne’s hand-stitching is visible on 'Gaia The Only One' Collection, Spring-Summer 2011, an ice blue satin scoop necked 'Cinderella' dress, inspired by a ballet costume. The dress sold for £25,200 against an estimate of £2,000-3,000. From the ‘Propaganda’ Collection, Autumn-Winter, a cotton dress with printed 'propaganda' modesty panel and apron with blue and white striped blouse, inspired spirited bidding, selling for £16,380, more than eight times the low estimate (£2,000-3,000).

Inspired by the aesthetics of 1930s Hollywood, ‘Always On Camera' Collection, Autumn-Winter 1992 / 93 played with the stereotypes of movie-star glamour. A Harris Tweed three piece suit sold for £15,120, more than seven times the low estimate of £2,000. Returning to Hollywood as her source of inspiration, 'World Wide Woman' Collection, Autumn-Winter 2011 / 12, a full-length nude 'illusion' gown embellished with gold sequins realised £8,820.

The sale also included jewellery and accessories, highlighted by a three row faux-pearl choker mounted with gilt-metal paste-set oversized 'orb' pendant from the 'Anglomania' Collection, Autumn-Winter 1993 / 94, which sold for £10,080 (estimate: £1,200-1,800).

Andreas Kronthaler, Vivienne’s Husband and Creative Director of Vivienne Westwood®: “What a wonderful day to wake up to. Thank you Christie’s … close to half a million raised today for Greenpeace, The Vivienne Foundation, Amnesty International and Médecins Sans Frontières. There are 3 days left, and we should do whatever we can to make the world a better place. Come and let’s all be part of it.”

Vivienne Westwood: The Personal Collection Part II remains online and open for bidding until 28 June.

Adrian Hume Sayer, Director Private & Iconic Collections, Christie’s, Head of Sale: “To sell both the personal wardrobe of the legendary Vivienne Westwood as well as to bring to fruition one of her final acts of activism by selling THE BIG PICTURE: Vivienne’s Playing Cards has been an extraordinary privilege. It was an honour to bring this collection to auction and to work so closely with The Vivienne Foundation, Andreas Kronthaler, Jeff Banks and the Vivienne Westwood team. This was a unique moment in fashion history. Vivienne was an icon and it is such a fitting tribute to her pioneering vision that we have raised so much for the charitable causes that meant so much to her.”

The beneficiaries of the proceeds from the sale comment below on the results of Vivienne Westwood: The Personal Collection Part I:

Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UK’s Chief Executive: "Dame Vivienne Westwood was a rebel with a cause, a pioneer and provocateur who fought tirelessly for a more just world. The Queen of Punk was a campaigner to her very core, with her art and activism inseparable. Amnesty is immensely proud to have had Dame Vivienne’s irrepressible support in the struggle for human rights. This most generous gift and partnership helps continue the fight for a world where everyone can live a life of freedom and dignity. Dame Vivienne’s activism will live on. We will continue to challenge abuses of power and defend the right to protest globally, including in places such as Iran and Hong Kong where oppressive regimes attempt to extinguish freedom of expression and demand justice for all those who face persecution both in the UK and abroad.”

Dr Natalie Roberts, MSF UK Executive Director, Médecins Sans Frontières: “We are deeply honoured and grateful to Vivienne Westwood for selecting Médecins Sans Frontières as one of the beneficiaries of her private wardrobe auction. Vivienne's rebellious spirit and dedication to advocacy and raising awareness of the situation of some of the most marginalised people in society has always been a beacon of inspiration. Though she left us in 2022, her legacy of challenging norms and championing vital causes continues to resonate. This generous act amplifies our mission to provide medical care in the most challenging environments, reminding us of the profound impact of speaking out and taking bold actions. Vivienne's unwavering commitment to making a difference lives on through this extraordinary gesture.”

John Sauven, former executive director, Greenpeace UK: “Vivienne’s life was defined by activism and one of her final acts was to generously sign the playing cards sold at Christie’s as part of a landmark auction to raise funds for the charitable causes she supported. Fashion. Art. Education. Activism. These were the pillars that fused everything together for Vivienne. These are the ideas that will live on through this important work of art and Greenpeace is honoured to benefit from this philanthropic endeavour.”

The Vivienne Foundation: “Throughout her lifetime, Vivienne used her voice to lead a relentless fight for justice. Continuously highlighting the corruption in the world and trying her best to make the world a better place. It was Vivienne’s ambition prior to her death to raise a significant amount of money for Greenpeace to help them protect our rainforests and oceans and save the planet from climate change.”

A free public exhibition of Vivienne Westwood: The Personal Collection took place at Christie’s headquarters on King Street, London from 14 to 24 June, attracting more than 20,000 visitors.