“The only reason I am in fashion is to destroy the word ‘conformity’.” British fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood has died aged 81. In a statement on Twitter, her representatives said she died peacefully surrounded by her family in Clapham, south London. Westwood was an unapologetically political designer who rose to prominence in the 1970s, dressing the punk rock band the Sex Pistols. She became known for her androgynous designs, slogan T-shirts and irreverent attitude towards the establishment. She used her public profile to champion issues including nuclear disarmament and the fight against climate change, often bringing the causes she cared about to the runway. Her husband and creative partner, Andreas Kronthaler, said: “I will continue with Vivienne in my heart.” Cover photograph: Neil Hall/Reuters // #viviennewestwood #westwood #fashion