Westwood's jewelry often explores the fantastical, the surreal, and the fairytale, featuring exaggerated proportions, vivid colors, and striking juxtapositions. Those include "snail" jewels inspired by ancient Greek myths, and the Guinevere necklace, which references the medieval legend of King Arthur.
The "Wonderland" section emphasizes how narratives were integral to Westwood's design process rooted in a rich tradition of storytelling through decorative arts. "My clothes have a story," Westwood once said. "They have a character and a purpose."
The "Do It Yourself" section embodies Westwood's ecological ethos. A self-taught designer, DIY was the core in her approach. Drink cans are transformed into chokers, watch parts into bird brooches, and crisp packets into roses. "Beauty can emerge from the ordinary," a guide notes, highlighting how Westwood redefined luxury by elevating everyday materials.
"Even during the punk years, Westwood incorporated studs, safety pins, pin-up pictures, tins and bits of rubbish, bones, all kinds of things, and applied them to clothes," Kronthaler notes.
This philosophy extends to the exhibition itself, which adheres to "reduce, reuse, recycle" principles, with modular displays repurposed from previous shows, Davidson explains.
As visitors move from 1980s punk to modern, eco-conscious designs, they grasp Westwood's enduring message: Rebellion and heritage are not opposites but allies. "At Westwood, we built a real treasure trove over time," Kronthaler reflects.
From autumn onward, the exhibition will continue its global tour across Asia, the United States, and Europe.
