Bag a Vivienne Westwood

The Willow Wood Hospice has announced a raffle at a charity shop in Glossop – with an original Vivienne Westwood handbag as the top prize.

The bag was originally given by Westwood’s company to Sara Scott-Rivers, the Executive Assistant to Willow Wood’s CEO.

A fan of Westwood for both her fashion and her environmentally-friendly stance, Sara has now offered the bag as the first prize in a charity raffle to help raise funds for the Hospice, which provides specialist palliative care to patients with life-limiting illnesses.

“I think Vivienne would approve of the bag helping to raise vital funds for a hospice,” she said.

“It’s small and tartan with a thick heavy chain – very eye-catching. It’s in its dust bag with a little card.

“I hope it raises a decent amount for Willow Wood and it would be lovely if it finds a home with someone who loves all things Westwood.”

Sara with the Vivienne Westwood bag Image credit: Willow Wood

Vivienne Westwood made waves in the seventies and eighties for her Punk Rock fashion designs and outspoken nature.

With her designs worn by the Sex Pistols in the height of their glory days, Westwood would twice go on to be named British Designer of the Year before being awarded an OBE in 1992.

Despite her international fame, Westwood was never forgotten in her hometown in Derbyshire: in 2022, a mural celebrating the designer was unveiled near her birthplace in Tintwistle, Glossop.

Westwood died later that year aged 81, following care in a south London Hospice.

In Glossop, the Willow Wood Hospice charity shop have put on a special display to honour the designer’s legacy ahead of her birthday next week.

Millie, the shop volunteer who came up with the display, said: “I’m a massive Vivienne Westwood fan and as we are close to her birthplace, I thought what better way for us to celebrate a true icon for what would have been her birthday.”

Caroline, the manager of the shop, said: “We’re excited to celebrate Vivienne Westwood’s incredible legacy with this special window display. I’d like to thank the whole team for their hard work – it looks magnificent.

“As a trailblazing fashion icon with strong local connections, this is a wonderful opportunity to honour her creativity and impact. We hope the display inspires our community and highlights Vivienne’s lasting influence on fashion.”

Tickets can be bought for £1 in the shop at 12 High Street West, and at Pixie Bakes Cakery & Coffee Shop in Tintwistle.

The raffle will be drawn on Saturday 19th April.