Vivienne Westwood S/S 1991 Nurse Elevated Platform Heels

“Westwood’s slashing technique: a cut above the rest”

In her Spring/Summer Cut, Slash and Pull collection, Vivienne Westwood drew inspiration from a 16th-century technique known as clothing slashing, traditionally used by high society to flaunt wealth by revealing luxurious fabrics beneath the cuts. Westwood subverted this concept by using ordinary materials, such as cotton, and exposing only human skin beneath the slashes. Her reinterpretation also nods to how European merchant classes, despite their wealth, were legally restricted from wearing certain fabrics and colours. By revealing these fabrics beneath the slashes, they subtly showcased their affluence. Westwood’s approach was both subversive and technical, combining historical references with her signature aesthetic in a beautifully executed way.

These shoes were worn by Denis Lewis on the runway.