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Vogue Conversations - Andreas Kronthaler
22/08/2025 — Vivienne Westwood
"Vivienne had this incredible ability to make history feel contemporary. She believed fashion wasn’t just about clothing – it was about ideas"
— Andreas Kronthaler, Vivienne’s husband and Creative Director of Vivienne Westwood
As part of Vogue: Inventing the Runway – an immersive exhibition at London’s Lightroom, exploring the past, present and future of the catwalk – Andreas Kronthaler was invited to discuss the lasting influence of Vivienne Westwood. The event was part of the Vogue Conversations series, which hosted a series of talks with designers, creative directors and inspiring minds from the worlds of fashion and creativity. As Vivienne’s long-time collaborator and husband, Andreas shared how her creativity and activism have reshaped the industry – and continue to inspire current collections of the house. “It was a true partnership,” he recalled. “When I first met her, she was already such a presence. Over the years, our creative dialogue deepened. There was always a sense of discovery in the process.”
Reflecting on Vivienne’s unique approach, Andreas explained, “She had this incredible ability to make history feel contemporary. She believed fashion wasn’t just about clothing – it was about ideas.” He went on to explore key collections throughout the years – each a testament to her ingenuity as a designer. Collections like Pirate, from Autumn-Winter 1981/82, challenged traditional notions of masculinity, blending romance with rebellion; Café Society from Spring-Summer 1994 combined 1930s glamour with punk; while the Get a Life collection from Spring-Summer 2010 addressed ongoing environmental issues, offering designs that made a statement, both socially and politically. Vivienne’s activism, craftmanship and intellectual sensibilities continue to resonate to this day. Her manner of subverting expectations has left an enduring mark on the industry – as Andreas concluded by the end of the evening, “Vivienne changed fashion forever.”
