Thirty years of designs on show as Vivienne expo arrives in UK

May 28, 2008May 28, 2008, 11:00 PM GMT+1

Who can forget the image of a young Naomi Campbell tumbling on the catwalk in a pair of mock-croc blue platforms? The perilously high shoes form the centrepiece of a travelling exhibition devoted to Vivienne Westwood's 30-year career in fashion.

The doyenne of British design made a typically flamboyant appearance as she arrived for the opening in a vibrant, close-fitting satin affair accessorised with gold chains, including one bearing a skull.

Joining the high mistress of punk at the event in Sheffield's Millennium Gallery were an eclectic array of celebrity faces, including presenter Fearne Cotton and singer Toyah Wilcox.

The exhibition, which has been globe trotting since 2004, exemplifies the designer's belief that: "You have a much better life if you have impressive clothes". Taken from her personal archive and the V&A collections, the display examines her subversive adaptations of British traditions, with sections devoted to tartan, tailoring and extravagant corsets.

The British designer was looking eyecatching as always when she attended the opening of the exhibition of her work Photo: © Getty Imagesy

Also on hand to check out items such as the sky-high platforms in which Naomi Campbell famously came a cropper was presenter Fearne Photo: © Getty Images

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