Now on view at MUDE – Museum of Design in Lisbon, the Vivienne Westwood exhibition The Tigress’s Leap offers a bold journey through centuries of fashion history. Running from June 6th to October 12th, 2025, the show is curated by Anabela Becho and draws its conceptual roots from Walter Benjamin’s Tiger’s Leap, exploring how Westwood rewrote the rules of style by reaching into the past.
This Vivienne Westwood exhibition features nearly 50 works, including garments, accessories, books, and original illustrations. It maps her creative evolution from 18th-century silhouettes to early 2000s punk provocations. Westwood’s radical take on British staples—like tartan and tweed—is on full display, transformed into sharp social commentary. A reimagined crinoline becomes a symbol of power, while her collaborations with Malcolm McLaren reflect the raw, anti-establishment energy of punk fashion.
Beyond the runway, the exhibition underscores Westwood’s legacy as an activist. Her fight against climate change and critique of fast fashion are central to the narrative, showing how style can become a platform for political and environmental engagement.
Designed by Luís Saraiva with graphic contributions by Paula Guimarães, the exhibition is brought to life through striking visuals and thoughtful curation. With works drawn from the Francisco Capelo Collection and additional sources, The Tigress’s Leap is more than a retrospective—it’s a powerful tribute to a designer who made fashion a cultural force.
Whether you’re a long-time admirer or new to her legacy, this Vivienne Westwood exhibition offers a rare chance to experience her vision in full.
Images courtesy of MUDE – MUSEUM OF DESIGN