ExhibitionsComing soon

Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery

This summer, Te Papa will be the first venue to kick off the global tour of Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery.

Created by Vivienne Westwood Limited and produced by Nomad Exhibitions, this retrospective exhibition celebrates the iconic jewellery of renowned British fashion house Vivienne Westwood.

When | Āhea

Where | Ki hea

Toi Art, Level 4

From a stall in Portobello Road market, London in the 1970s to statement pieces within catwalk collections, this exhibition dives into the extensive history of jewellery design and creation by the Vivienne Westwood house.

Westwood’s story will be told through a series of rooms, each meticulously curated with distinct decades of design, allowing the visitors to journey through time from the 1980s to the present day – exploring eclectic pairings of jewellery and garments, accessories, and a curated selection of films, evoking the fashion house’s iconic style.

This exhibition will be supported by a rich programme of events spanning jewellery, fashion, feminism, sustainability, music, and more.

Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood began designing in 1971 along with her then partner Malcolm McLaren in London. It was in 1976 when Westwood and McLaren defined the street culture of Punk with Seditionaries.

By the end of the seventies Vivienne Westwood was already considered a symbol of the British avant-garde and for Autumn/Winter 1981 she showed her first catwalk presentation at Olympia in London. Westwood then turned to traditional Savile Row tailoring techniques, using British fabrics and 17th- and 18th-century art for inspiration.

1989 was the year that Vivienne met Andreas Kronthaler, who would later become her husband and long-time design partner, as well as Creative Director of the brand.

Throughout her life Westwood captured the imagination and raised awareness of environmental and human rights issues around the world. With a design record spanning over fifty years, Vivienne Westwood is now recognised as a global brand and Westwood herself is remembered as one of the most influential fashion designers, and activists of the 20th-21st Century.

Vivienne Westwood. Image supplied by Vivienne Westwood Limited

2. Therese earrings. Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood Spring Summer 2020. Photo by Philippe Lacombe, 2024

Therese earrings. Spring Summer 2019. Photo by Mitchell Sams, 2019

Exhibition created byProduced byDestination partner
logo
Major exhibition partners  
Te Papa Foundation logo

Get our newsletter

Stay in the loop about our wide range of events and exhibitions.

REGISTER

Follow us

Follow our social media channels for a glimpse behind the scenes at Te Papa.

Join Friends of Te Papa

Friends enjoy benefits and discounts including invitations to previews and private viewings.

JOIN

Donate

Find out how you can support Te Papa through a donation or bequest by becoming a patron.

DONATE