The NGV will be in need of “a bigger boat” with both Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo in house
For the first time in its history, the National Gallery of Victoria will present two female designers in a single exhibition, showcasing 140 pieces from the collections of Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo. The NGV is no stranger to landmark collaborations, having previously hosted Warhol | Ai Weiwei and Keith Haring | Jean-Michel Basquiat. Westwood | Kawakubo is set to be a transformative installation.
Known for their avant-garde, bold, and experimental visions, Westwood and Kawakubo make a fitting pair. While Kawakubo’s awe-inspiring designs are revered in the fashion world, Westwood remains the more widely recognized name. Both brands were founded in 1971 and gained international attention in the 1980s—Westwood emerging from London and Kawakubo from Paris. These shared timelines, along with numerous stylistic and thematic overlaps, have long linked the two designers from afar. This exhibition will mark the first time the two designers share the same space, offering an opportunity to see how their distinct approaches complement and uplift one another.
The exhibition will be divided into thematic sections exploring the designers’ engagement with provocation, sharp tailoring, historical references, and the female form. Pieces worn by Rhianna, Kate Moss, the Sex Pistols, and Carrie Bradshaw will all be on display. While the pairing of these two women alone makes a powerful political statement, both designers have also used their collections to challenge societal norms and address pressing environmental issues, furthering their impact on the industry.
The show will open with a gala on December 6, 2025, at NGV International. It marks the first full-scale display of Westwood’s work in Australia in over two decades—and the first major showing of the brand since her passing in December 2023.
With all these firsts, Westwood | Kawakubo is set to be a showstopper—an exhibition that not only celebrates two trailblazing designers but also honors the enduring legacy of Vivienne Westwood.