Vivienne Westwood: Rebel – Storyteller – Visionary

28 March – 6 September 2026

A multi-gallery exhibition honouring one of fashion’s most provocative and imaginative British designers, Vivienne Westwood (1941-2022). Spanning the early 1980s to 2000s, the show charts Westwood’s extraordinary journey following the rebellious energy of punk from her early partnership with Malcolm McLaren (1946–2010), to her reinvention of historical dress and couture in the 1980s and ’90s.  

Featuring many pieces from rarely seen private collections, Vivienne Westwood: Rebel – Storyteller – Visionary offers an unprecedented glimpse into Westwood’s artistry, one that defied convention and challenged the fashion world. Uncover the making of Westwood’s work through mock-up calico toiles and digitally deconstructed garments, alongside complete ensembles that unfold chronologically, paired with historic objects from The Bowes Museum’s own collection. 

Following the museum’s success of A Collector’s Story: A Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood (2023 – 2024) and Framing Fashion: Art and Inspiration from a Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood (2024 – 2025), this is The Bowes Museum’s most ambitious Westwood exhibition to date — a new and exclusive fusion of rebellion with tradition. 

This exhibition is the result of a collaboration between The Bowes Museum, Peter Smithson and other private collectors. It is not an institutional partnership with the Vivienne Westwood brand. 

A mannequin dressed in an ornate black gown adorned with intricate gold classical motifs. Draped over one shoulder is a luxurious scarf or shawl with metallic gold designs on one side and multicolored patterns on the other, complemented by a pearl necklace.
A mannequin wearing a vibrant jacket with a geometric diamond pattern in red, yellow, blue, and black. It is accessorized with a small black hat, a tassel-shaped earring, and stands beside a tall staff topped with an orb encircled by rings.
A mannequin dressed in a black double-breasted blazer with bold blue and white vertical stripes, featuring a large white collared shirt underneath. The blazer is embellished with gold buttons and two brooches—one shaped like a planet with rings and another circular pin.
A mannequin styled in a sophisticated ensemble with a faux fur capelet featuring black spots, tied at the neck with a large white bow. Beneath the capelet is a black dress accented by a striking red sash across the chest.
Close-up of a mannequin wearing a vibrant, multicoloured fuzzy coat in shades of blue, purple, and yellow. Underneath is a white shirt with a bold pink and teal tartan tie. A gold orb-shaped brooch is pinned to the coat’s lapel.