No London Fashion Week Without Vivienne Westwood - and no Vivienne Westwood without Active Resistance !

Queen of London fashion, Dame Vivienne Westwood presented her Spring/Summer 2011 collection at the luxurious New Connaught Rooms during London Fashion Week.

The road and pavement outside the venue were packed with paparazzi and curious passers-by that wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Celebrity guests such as Westwood’s testimonial and politically active PETA pal (GoSee reported) Pamela Anderson did not disappoint the eager crowd and were welcomed with an ocean of glittering camera flashbulbs.

GoSee was of course also there. The seats in the grand ballroom were covered in pamphlets on Vivienne Westwood’s collaboration with the Reprieve charity, which works to secure fair trials and hearings for prisoners on death row and in Guantánamo Bay.

Vivienne has designed a heart for the charity that also featured on the end of the catwalk as the backdrop for her collection and is available to purchase as a necklace in silver, gunmetal, gold and copper, as well as a matching clutch pin. The heart shaped keepsake will be available in December. All proceeds will go directly to Reprieve’s work for victims of torture, rendition and unlawful detention, and for European nationals facing the death penalty.

The chandelier lights were dimmed and we enjoyed a collection that sees us look forward to a colourful, light Spring/Summer season. The palette was filled with Westwood’s signature shades of pinks, reds and decadent powder blues. The pieces were sculpted by her infamous approach to draping, tailoring and cut, often with key designs in gorgeous pastel tartan fabrics. The laid-back, yet elegant lady-like looks were accessorised with sexy satin boudoir-style kitten heel peep toes and mismatched androgynous patent brogues. At the end of the show, the energetic redhead came out with her models, happily singing along to Elvis' cover version of ‘You'll Never Walk Alone’, beckoning the audience to join in.

However, Westwood’s politically active and culturally aware approach wasn’t lost in jolly song and dance and candyfloss hues. A few models were wearing hats that resembled military helmets, and even if they were covered in distracting glamorous sequins, it is clear that the legend is still waging a war on fashion ignorance.

In the words of the dame herself, 'It is not enough to follow world politics, see films and read the prize-winning best seller. This is superficial, you need to go deep in order to understand who you are, what the world is and how things could be better. This involves culture, which can only be acquired by self-education: human beings should mirror the world.'

Calling all creatives - Westwood’s Active Resistance needs you! Stand up and share your thoughts. Speak up and be heard. In a Vivienne Westwood Anglomania collaboration with Lee Jeans, from 28 September, every day for 100 days, one image representing ‘Active Resistance’ in the world will be selected from submissions and shared on www.activeresistance.co.uk.

So what are you waiting for? Make a stance, take a photo, create a performance, write a slogan, illustrate your ideas – become actively resistant with Vivienne Westwood!