...And she is Stacy Cohen

A Salute to Vivienne Westwood by Fashionista Stacy Cohen

It has often been said that fashion is one of the clearest cultural indicators of the times in which we live, and this Diva can't agree more: Thom Browne's quirky, high-water twist on Brooks Brothers' American classics has international conservative sets all agog and aghast, renaming that ubiquitous Golden Sheep, more appropriately, Black Sheep; Roberto Cavalli's stunning Fall line, rather than being over-the-top luxurious, marries that landmark luxury to a hefty dose of sexy restraint and discretion, for a decidedly 1940s edge. But arguably, no designer ever has come close to the glorious cultural mockery that defines the work of the remarkably, consistently groundbreaking (and often fabulously shocking) Vivienne Westwood. Of course, I was just a wee young thing when she hit the scene in the 1970s as designer to the punk stars, but, in touch with my inner fashion diva even as a child, I watched her ... closely!

Dame Vivienne Westwood is, of course, known for her shockingly outrageous punk-rocker fashions, which she comes by honestly: Married at one time to Malcom McLaren - manager of the Sex Pistols, Westwood positively defined exquisitely rangy, studied punk in virtually the same manner that Patti Smith did (and still does). Her heavily corseted frocks, pierced and torn chemises, rubber dresses with the risque bits snipped away (a la Clockwork Orange) - these groundbreakers tossed out the fashion rulebook and instead inspired scores of designers - everyone from Jean-Paul Gaultier and Thierry Mugler to Narciso Rodriguez and Issey Miyake - to let loose and let cultural mores (or lack of them!) dictate what came off their cutting tables and onto the runway.

But Dame Westwood - the original fashion punk diva - and I have far more than just diva-dom in common: This Diva has found that Diva's designs simply divine! Her mockery of royalty conjures up majestic Ermine cloaks with a twist: Westwood marks up - with black magic marker - these decidedly priceless pelts for a new take on mixed-medium fashion! Her regular use of glittering Swarovski crystals is simply jaw-dropping (and not for a PG audience, either!): In one daring number, a skin-toned bustier is encrusted with jewels in the most sensible and likely of places (breast, naval, use your imagination). But ever the proverbial show-stopper, Westwood uses the lower half of this dress to shock: Flesh-toned, it is festooned with ostrich plumes in an area covered traditionally by the fig leaf; wear that to your next soiree and either be the hit of the evening, or arrested! From Barbarella/Madonna-esque cone brassieres to eight-inch platform shoes that would have made Kiss's Gene Simmons proud, Vivienne Westwood's designs are among the finest I've ever seen - and a salute to the conflagration of culture, politics, fashion, and fun as only Vivienne Westwood can do it!

About Stacy Cohen

Stacy Cohen is an internationally known author, philanthropist and influence in the worlds of fashion and media. In addition to serving as official lifestyle editor of "Style Monte-Carlo" magazine Stacy is also the founder of Stacy Cohen Lifestyle Inc., which is launching a number of media projects in conjunction with the release of her lifestyle book, "The Kosher Billionaire's Secret Recipe." Visit her official web site at http://www.stacycohen.com for more information. (ERN)