Fifteen complete ensembles are on display alongside more than 550 pieces of jewellery. Photo: RNZ / Krystal Gibbens
An exhibition showcasing Vivienne Westwood fashion and jewellery opens on Friday at Te Papa in Wellington.
The exhibition is designed and curated by the house of Vivienne Westwood and produced by Nomad Exhibitions.
RNZ went along for a preview ahead of the official opening.
More than 550 pieces of jewellery and 15 complete ensembles are on display from the British designer, who was one of the pioneers of punk fashion.
The exhibition spans a series of rooms, allowing visitors to journey through the decades of Westwood's career from the 1980s onwards.
Each room has a selection of themed jewellery and an array of garments is also on display.
The exhibition opens with a room showcasing a series of Westwood's ensembles on mannequins.
The next room explores Westwood's origins. In her early days she worked with then-partner Malcolm McLaren, the manager of the Sex Pistols, at their London boutique SEX.
Westwood and McLaren in 1976. Photo: Norma Moriceau
Among the pieces is a pair of earrings emblazoned with S-E-X, one of which was worn by David Bowie at the 1996 Brit Awards.
Nomad Exhibitions chief executive Tim Pethick said Bowie had to get his ear pierced backstage in order to wear them.
A choker on display, likewise emblazoned, was worn by Kim Kardashian.
Further into the exhibition, visitors can find a brass crop top worn by Zendaya while promoting her film Dune, along with a diamond-encrusted bone-shaped choker Timothée Chalamet wore at the London premiere of his film Bones And All.
Katy Perry wore a set of cherub earrings, designed by Westwood, at King Charles' coronation concert. Photo: AFP / Chris Jackson
The choker had been custom-made to fit Chalamet's neck, Pethick said.
Towards the end of the exhibition visitors can see a pair of cherub earrings worn by Katy Perry at King Charles's coronation concert, along with a hat worn by Westwood herself.
Positive response to exhibition
Ian Douglas, who designs fine jewellery in Wellington at The Village Goldsmith, also came along to check out the exhibit.
He said the punk influence was clear, with inspiration taken from utilitarian objects like paperclips and razor blades.
The exhibition explores Westwood's career from the very beginning. Photo: RNZ / Krystal Gibbens
Douglas said the materials Westwood used were not expensive.
"It's effectively super grand costume jewellery with staggering creative talent," he said, saying Westwood's execution was top notch.
"Absolutely loved it," he said.
"Every single piece has just been beautifully thought out."
Other people attending the exhibition preview who RNZ spoke to were also impressed by the collection, with some contemplating coming back for another look.
Meanwhile, some visitors to the museum on Thursday, especially overseas visitors with paid tickets, said they hoped to return to the museum on Friday to see the new exhibit.
Vivienne Westwood and Jewellery is on at Te Papa until 27 April.
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