Vivienne Westwood: Rebel - Storyteller - Visionary at The Bowes Museum 2026

A multi-gallery exhibition honouring one of fashion’s most provocative and imaginative British designers, Vivienne Westwood (1941-2022). Spanning the early 1980s to 2000s, the show charts Westwood’s extraordinary journey following the rebellious energy of punk from her early partnership with Malcolm McLaren (1946–2010), to her reinvention of historical dress and couture in the 1980s and ’90s. Featuring many pieces from rarely seen private collections, Vivienne Westwood: Rebel – Storyteller – Visionary offers an unprecedented glimpse into Westwood’s artistry, one that defied convention and challenged the fashion world. Uncover the making of Westwood’s work through mock-up calico toiles and digitally deconstructed garments, alongside complete ensembles that unfold chronologically, paired with historic objects from The Bowes Museum’s own collection. Following the museum’s success of A Collector’s Story: A Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood (2023 – 2024) and Framing Fashion: Art and Inspiration from a Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood (2024 – 2025), this is The Bowes Museum’s most ambitious Westwood exhibition to date — a new and exclusive fusion of rebellion with tradition. We have an exciting collection of Vivienne Westwood inspired items for sale in our shop. Visit in person or check our online shop which will be updated shortly. This exhibition is the result of a collaboration between The Bowes Museum, Peter Smithson and other private collectors. It is not