1st April 2025. Vivienne Westwood will host their first-ever fashion show in India, presented at the historic and prestigious Gateway of India, Mumbai, celebrating India’s rich textile heritage.
The show will present a collection of Vivienne Westwood couture looks created with the finest natural hand-woven Indian silks and Khadi cottons and wool, the artisanal fabric which was reinvigorated by Mahatma Gandhi – and is known as a symbol of the freedom of India. In partnership with the Department of Textiles, Govt. of Maharashtra and Vivz Fashion School Pvt. Ltd, the collection celebrates the craftmanship of these hand-woven fabrics, sourced from across India provided by; Khadi India and Aaranya/Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh), created by Indian artisans using traditional and sustainable techniques.
The word ‘Khadi’ is derived from “Khaddar”, a term used for the hand spun fabric of India. Khadi fabric is known for its natural, coarse texture due to its handmade process, and its versatility – keeping you warm in winter and cool in the summer.
Khadi is spun using a charkha or an Indian spinning wheel and was reintroduced to the people of India to achieve self-sufficiency and independence. The Khadi movement, a socio-cultural narrative, was launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1915 and became an important national icon of the Freedom Movement.
Vivienne Westwood has long championed craftsmanship and heritage, using artisanal fabrics within their collections. Through working with and promoting artisans and small heritage production, Vivienne Westwood is proud to promote more environmentally sustainable forms of fabric production and support traditional skilled jobs and the communities around them.
The show will take place at the historic Gateway of India, a monument which now represents the freedom of India and is synonymous with the city of Mumbai – a hub for locals and tourists, for music and celebration, a melting pot of different cultures and religions in the heart of the city.