Iconic fashion designer Vivienne Westwood dies aged 81

Iconic fashion designer Vivienne Westwood has died aged 81. A statement posted on her verified Twitter account confirmed she died on December 29.

"Vivienne Westwood died today, peacefully and surrounded by her family in Clapham, South London," the statement said.

"The world needs people like Vivienne to make a change for the better."

Vivienne, who was known for bringing punk and new wave fashions into the mainstream, started to gain notoriety after she opened a store in London known as SEX in the 1970s with Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren.

Over the years she has dressed a number of prominent celebrities, including Dita Von Teese for her wedding to Marilyn Manson in 2005 and Marion Cotillard, who wore a Westwood design for the Public Enemies film premiere in 2009.

Princess Eugenie also donned designs at events celebrating Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding, including the pre-wedding dinner, after-wedding party and the wedding itself.

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One of her wedding dress designs was also featured in the first Sex and the City film in 2008. In a scene from the movie, Carrie Bradshaw is trying on a number of couture gowns for a magazine shoot after announcing her engagement to Mr Big.

After seeing photos from the shoot, Vivienne gifts Carrie her design and it became one of the most iconic pieces to ever feature in the series.

The 81-year-old's husband and creative partner Andreas Kronthaler said in a statement: "I will continue with Vivienne in my heart."

"We have been working until the end and she has given me plenty of things to get on with.

"Thank you darling."

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