by Giorgia Crescia
In a historical period in which climate change is certainly a central topic in many political debates, in many demonstrations and protests but above all an important topic that needs urgent responses and actions, one of the greatest stylists and activists of all time continues, through her art, to show the urgency of it and to propose alternative, green and in any case, avant-garde solutions.
Obviously, we are talking about Vivienne Westwood, who also with this Spring Summer 2022 collection continues her battle for the awareness, for a cleaner world that focuses on the reuse of waste and the use of organic materials.
The new line entitled “Save our Souls” carries more than one fundamental message; central values in the collection are: stopping climate change, stopping war and stopping the production and sale of weapons.
Vivienne Westwood takes as inspiration one of her old spring-summer collection, 1998 “Tied to the must”, the period of the first Queen Elizabeth, the pirate environment and Europe of the time, to inspire the collection is also the idea of the sea. What is evident in “Save our Souls” is the presence of multiple ideas and influences well defined by textures, patterns and colors.
Everything is obviously focused on recycling and the use of raw materials that are green, “buy less, choose well, make it last” is the central motto of the collection, which is why the Spring Summer 2022 line is composed of organic cotton and silk, recycled cotton, polyester and denim; the technical data sheets show a wide refinement of alternative materials that have zero or almost zero impact on the environment and that allow the creation of garments that do not lead to waste, that do not pollute and that do not modify the habitat and life of animals and vegetables.
With a marine flavor, the coordinated with oversized white and blue stripes, the cuts of the bodices, some semi-rigid with sweetheart necklines and rouge, others softer; The tartan suits, asymmetrical cuts, oversized shapes and the combination of several different motifs and prints, instead, take up the typical line of the brand.
The line is characterized by a common thread given by the sea and pirate characters combined with a street wear influence present in the use of the platform, in particular in sandals and the use of accessories. A varied line, a wide palette but above all, “Save our Souls” shows itself as a wearable Spring Summer 2022 collection, much more affordable for a wider clientele.
Sensitizing the population to a cleaner and less invasive life for the environment while still being able to wear everything that each of us wants, up to the most exaggerated and extreme garments has always been the focal point of Vivienne Westwood, the undisputed genius of this combination of art and respect for the world.
