Vivienne Westwood surprisingly happy with new collection

Dame Vivienne Westwood was surprised with how pleased she was with her most recent collection. The British designer – who is credited with launching the UK’s punk scene in the 1970s – is immensely proud of her latest designs which she previewed at Paris Fashion Week last month although she admitted doesn’t always love her finished work.

She told W magazine: “I was very pleased with this last collection. I’m not always that pleased, but it really took off. Why that happens, I don’t know. The clothes have to somehow be the epitome of themselves, and have a character and story to them.

“For some reason, there was something clear about the fall collection. The elements were reduced – they had a form; it was very powerful.”

The 69-year-old fashion legend shows no signs of slowing down and was recently voted the greatest British designer of all time, ahead of Alexander McQueen, in a new poll by Greenalls Gin.

Vivienne received 24 per cent of the total vote, with Alexander – who died last year – gaining 10 per cent. Paul Smith, Jasper Conran and Stella McCartney completed the top five with six, five and four per cent respectively.