Vivienne Westwood returns to London with unified Men & Women
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London - British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood is shaking things up once more. The London fashion week designer is set to present her Autumn 2017 ready-to-wear women's wear and men's wear collections under one, unified label during London Fashion Week Men next January.
The designer's Red Label women's wear range and her men's wear line, previously known as Man label, which were formerly shown in Milan, will be merged together under the Vivienne Westwood label, the brand's mainline offering.
Vivienne Westwood to show Red Label and Man label as one during LFWM
The decision to unify the labels is part of the brand's wider strategy to streamline its labels and collections by bringing them together under a single brand umbrella. The announcement follows on from other luxury fashion houses, such as Burberry and Tom Ford, decision to merge their women's and men's collection into a single show during fashion week.
Vivienne Westwood decision to present the collection in early January, 2017 is also part of the company's shift in strategy. By presenting the collections together during London Fashion Week Men, ahead of the sales period, the brand aims to give buyers a "a clear vision for the season prior to the appointments in the showroom," wrote the brand in a statement.
However, this decision also means that there will be no Vivienne Westwood women's wear show during the upcoming September Spring/Summer 2017 London Fashion Week. Instead, the women's wear collection will be presented to buyers and press via look books and private appointments only.
"Reduce our company in size. And reduce it to its essentials," said Vivienne Westwood in statement. "Selling only what we love. Our whole structure will be directed by quality. Buy less, choose well, make it last. Together Andreas and I head the design teams for all lines." The changes follow on from Westwood's decision to add Kronthaler, her longtime partner and collaborator, name to the label of her main catwalk collection.
The ‘Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood’ collection, which was shown in Paris last season, will continue to show during Paris ready-to-wear Fashion Week on October 1, will sit alongside of the mainline collection. The brand's diffusion line Anglomania, the Worlds End Collection, and all accessories ranges will remain under the brand's portfolio.
Credit: Vivienne Westwood