In a poignant evolution of the house’s narrative, Vivienne Westwood unveiled its Spring Summer 2025 collection with its first-ever runway presentation in India—an evocative showcase held at the storied Gateway of India in Mumbai. Against the grandeur of colonial architecture and the pulse of a modern metropolis, the British brand cast a spotlight on the nuanced dialogue between heritage craft and contemporary design.

Organized in collaboration with the Department of Textiles, the Government of Maharashtra, and Vivz Fashion School, the show transcended fashion spectacle. It served as an ode to India’s enduring textile legacy—interweaving reverence for traditional techniques with Westwood’s global voice. The venue, previously graced by Dior in 2023, signaled Mumbai’s rising presence on the international fashion stage.

This cultural gesture followed the brand’s recent "Sun" campaign—shot in Mumbai by visual artist Kshitij Kankaria—and echoed the personal memories of the brand’s CEO, whose travels through Goa in the 1970s first ignited a fascination with India’s artistic soul.

On the runway, Westwood juxtaposed new SS25 designs with archival silhouettes and a curated couture capsule crafted from hand-woven Chanderi silks and Khadi cotton. These materials—steeped in history and symbolic of India’s independence movement—added layers of depth and intention. With support from Khadi India and Aaranya, the house reaffirmed its dedication to sustainable practices and artisanal craftsmanship.

Visually restrained and tonally grounded in soft hues of ivory, sand, and sky blue, the collection diverged from the brand’s usual theatricality. It offered instead a meditative, minimalist silhouette—subtle in its rebellion, quiet in its strength.

While reactions were mixed—some yearning for the house’s signature punk provocation—the Mumbai show marked a compelling new chapter for Vivienne Westwood. A moment where fashion met cultural homage, and where silence spoke just as loudly as subversion.