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Suit

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD, London (fashion house), Vivienne WESTWOOD (designer)
Suit
 1988 {Time machine collection, autumn-winter 1988–89}

Medium
wool (tweed), viscose, metallic thread, cotton polyester (thread), plastic and metal (fastenings)

Measurements
(a) 56.0 cm (centre back) 60.0 cm (sleeve length) (jacket)
(b) 89.0 cm (outer leg) 33.0 cm (waist, flat) (pants)

Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Krystyna Campbell-Pretty AM and Family through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2024

Reproduction requests

Gallery location
Special Exhibitions Gallery
Ground Level, NGV International

 

About this work

Westwood’s ability to understand how historical clothing could be reworked into something contemporary and highly desirable was one of her most powerful design skills. For her Time Machine collection, inspired by the 1985 H.G. Wells novel of the same name, Westwood created a series of innovative articulated tweed and leather suits based on her study of early sixteenth-century armour.

Artwork Details

Place/s of Execution
England

Inscription
(a) label, centre back neckline, woven in yellow on red cotton: (orb) / Vivienne / Westwood / MADE IN ENGLAND ©
(b) label, left back waistline, woven in yellow on red cotton: (orb) / Vivienne / Westwood / MADE IN ENGLAND ©

Accession Number
2024.750.a-b

Department
International Fashion and Textiles

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