collaborations
Palace x Vivienne Westwood: A Collision of Iconic London Brands
(photo credit: Vivienne Westwood; Palace Skateboards)
The fashion community is witnessing a collision of iconic forces as Palace and Vivienne Westwood team up for their first-ever collaboration.
These two legendary London-born brands have announced a highly anticipated collection set to drop on Friday, September 6th. If you’re tired of the usual minimalist streetwear, this release promises to deliver something different.
At first glance, Palace and Vivienne Westwood might seem like an odd pairing. Palace is synonymous with laid-back streetwear, while Westwood is the queen of high fashion and punk-inspired luxury.
But these two brands share more than meets the eye. Both are known for challenging the status quo and refusing to take themselves too seriously, making this collaboration not as far-fetched as it might initially seem.
This shared ethos is at the heart of the collection, which features a playful mix of clothing, jewelry, skateboards, and accessories that blend the style codes of both brands.
A standout theme is the teddy bear motif, a nod to Westwood’s early 1990s iconography. Sure, brands like Moschino, Vetements, and even Balenciaga have toyed with similar ideas before, so this isn’t exactly breaking new ground.
However, Palace and Westwood add their twist with Care Bear-style keychains, earrings, and oversized backpacks that inject a touch of kawaii charm into the collection.
The collection also boasts a flight jacket and trousers in punk’s favorite plaid pattern, alongside knitted pieces with a luxurious velour feel. Another highlight is the custom monogram that fuses the iconic Vivienne Westwood Orb with Palace’s logo.
This design appears on denim items, including a flight suit, jeans, and a miniskirt. Yes, you heard that right—Palace is making its first official foray into womenswear with some classic Westwood items, adding a new dimension to their typically unisex-friendly, male-oriented collections.
Naturally, the signature Westwood satin corset had to make the cut, featuring a playful graphic of Palace co-founder Lev Tanju's dog, Stuart. This whimsical take on a traditionally structured garment perfectly encapsulates the penchant for subversion that drives both brands.
A treat for fashion aficionados, the collection revives Vivienne Westwood’s archival “Salon” print from her Spring/Summer 1992 collection, reimagined on GORE-TEX jackets, track pants, and skirts.
If you prefer something more low-key, the collection also includes hoodies and T-shirts featuring graphic prints that merge the Orb logo with Palace’s tri-ferg logo. These items offer more wearable pieces while still creating an instantly recognizable look that’s sure to be a hit with fans of both brands.
Overall, however, this collaboration is clearly aimed at edgy Londoners who live for making a statement. Knitted beanie hats, complete with little horns, bring a dose of rebellious spirit to the mix, while an in-your-face diamante belt emblazoned with the joint Palace-Westwood logo can’t go unnoticed.
The lookbook, shot in London by Shoichi Aoki, the photographer behind the iconic Japanese street style magazine FRUITS, brings the collection to life.
Featuring a mix of models who are friends of both brands—including US rappers Sematary and Matt OX, Palace rider Lucien Clarke, and DJ/singer Josh Café—the styling is bold, eclectic, and very much in line with the raw, authentic energy that both Palace and Westwood are known for.
But this collaboration is more than just a mash-up of two brands. The teams wanted it to reflect both of their identities, as Vivienne Westwood’s Creative Director Andreas Kronthaler explained: “From the first day I went to Palace years ago, I liked what they were doing. Their designs are made with quality, they are accessible and democratic. It felt natural for us to join forces; it was a very playful exercise and a pleasure working with the team and making new friends.”
While "accessible" might not be the first word that comes to mind when thinking of these high-end brands, they certainly retain an authenticity that harks back to their roots in the punk and skate subcultures.
Palace’s Gareth Skewis echoed this sentiment, stating, "This collection is a true reflection of our shared values and influences, bringing together two distinct perspectives united by a common ground of independent thought, all with a uniquely London twist.”
This collection is a celebration of two sides of London fashion—punk and streetwear—and it comes together in an unapologetically quirky way.
The collection drops on Friday, September 6th, at 11 a.m. BST, both in-store and online, and it’s likely to sell out fast.
So, if you’re a die-hard fan of Palace, a Vivienne Westwood devotee, or just someone who appreciates mixing fashion influences, then mark your calendar.
Copyright and Content Use Notice
At THREADSPY we respect copyright and intellectual property rights. The images on this page are the property of their respective owners. If you wish for your content to be removed, please contact: [email protected].
