Anglomania marked a movement away from Westwood’s established punk look and a step towards a contrasting aesthetic that mirrors British institutions. Despite the two looks having dissimilar connotations, she was able to combine everything together into a comprehensive look. Showcased in Paris in March of 1993, the collection was inspired by Dior’s French elegance, traditional British craftsmanship, and eighteenth-century art.
Through this collection, Westwood created her own clan, “MacAndreas”, which was officially recognized by the Lochcarron of Scotland in the same year in which it was founded. The recognition of a clan usually takes 200 years, which makes this such a pivotal moment in Scottish clan history. It was named after a special tartan she designed specifically for this collection, and the tartan itself was named after her second husband, Andreas Kronthaler. The specific use of tartan, though derived from British tradition, was also a callback to historical rebellion. It was specifically a reference to the Jacobites and how supporters of the cause were often associated with tartan.
The collection was also made famous because of Naomi Campbell stumbling on the catwalk. The outfit that Campbell was wearing is currently stored in the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Sources:
Bell, Robert, and Claire Wilcox. “Vivienne Westwood.” National Gallery of Australia.
Borrelli-Persson, Laird. “Vivienne Westwood Fall 1993 Ready-To-Wear Fashion Show.” Vogue.
Edwards-Dujardin, Hayley-Jane. “Vivienne Westwood, “Anglomania,” Fall/Winter 1993–1994.” Bloomsburg Fashion Central.
“Jacobites and Tartan: Symbolism and Style.” National Museums Scotland.
Ratcliff, Kate. “The Vivienne Westwood Suit, Gender and Clothing.” University of Nottingham.
“The Story so Far.” Vivienne Westwood.
