Dress

Malcolm McLaren|Vivienne Westwood

fall/winter 1983–84 · wool, ceramic · Costume Institute

The Witches collection by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren for fall/winter 1983–84, marks their last collaboration for their label World's End before Westwood started her eponymous fashion label. This iconic and transitional collection testifies of Westwood's love of historical pastiche as well as her active stance towards current sociopolitical issues. The collection was inspired by American artist Keith Haring's drawings, which inspired the name of the collection because of their esoteric, cult-like qualities. However, this woolen dress with houndstooth motif plays with tropes of British heritage such as tweed and witchcraft. The skirt has a draped inset at the front, giving the silhouette an asymmetrical volume, combined with batwing sleeves tucked in at the elbow: Westwood's expression in cloth of the fluttering of the creatures of the night.

Artist

Malcolm McLaren|Vivienne Westwood

Date

fall/winter 1983–84

Medium

wool, ceramic

Culture

British

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Purchase, Gould Family Foundation Gift, in memory of Jo Copeland, 2018