Platon Instagram – Friends, I want to pay tribute to a legendary woman who passed away recently. Vivienne Westwood was a courageous creative force who, in my opinion, invented punk, dressing and styling the Sex Pistols in the late 1970’s. She never stopped pushing boundaries and searching for new ideas. I had the privilege to know Vivienne in my early days as a student photographer and she used to lend me all her dresses for my first fashion shoots. This black and white image was part of my final degree exhibition featuring the back of one of her pinned dressed. She was curious, brave, devilishly witty, and unpredictable. She would always make sure I was invited to her fashion shows, and I learnt so much from her. Eventually I had the opportunity to take her portrait. She arrived at the studio dressed as Queen Elizabeth I in a ruby red gown with matching lipstick. Just before the shooting began, we had a huge argument. She knew I was a die-hard modernist and went out of her way to say, “Picasso was terribly overrated.” I was hot-headed in those days and so our pre-shoot conversation descended into an all-mighty fight about art. By the time she walked on set in her famous white stiletto heels, I was furiously flustered and the atmosphere was tense. She stood in profile to show off her tailoring and silhouette, then with one knee tilted forward she gave me a saucy look with a raised eyebrow. Vivienne was simply playing with me from the very start. Vivienne Westwood it was an honor to know you and I salute you.