Vivienne Westwood (left), Spring/Summer 2009, Milan. Westwood is wearing her own design.

Vivienne Westwood has dressed bands like the Sex Pistols and the New York Dolls. She even designed a line called ““Clint Eastwood” that included some boss shoes. I’m not sure what Vivienne’s dress is made of (above), but I love it. Anyways, the 2009 Spring/Summer Westwood Collection was tame according to her enthusiasts. Still, Westwood’s 2009 Spring/Summer collection, Gypsy, inspired a fair amount of controversy.

And that Good. But why?

Vivienne Westwoods Gypsy Bear & his Grill. Spring/Summer 2009 collection, Milan.

Despite Westwood’s runway show theme of “Tolerance”, many criticized the iconic designer for using Roma Gypsies as models. This was due to fears in Milan that the gypsies are responsible for rising crime in the region. So deep is this conception, that it drove a Naples Primary School to sponsor a letter-writing campaign, denouncing the Gypsy camps.

One child’s letter even specified that “Gypsies steal children to transplant their organs”. Sadly, It takes much more energy to dispel this frightening thought from a young mind than it does to instill. Present a child (or easily led adult) with facts instead of racist inspired folklore, that child will be much less inclined to be afraid of the dark.

Vivienne Westwood Gypsy Bear Cold-Pimpin’. Spring/Summer 2009, Milan.

Yesterday, according to the BBC, the Roma Gypsy controversy in Milan ripped another page out of the history books with a proposal by Italy’s interior minister, Roberto Maroni. Maroni wants to fingerprint all residents at the Gypsy camps. Those who refuse, including children, will be expelled from the country. Maroni insisted that children be fingerprinted in order to curtail “phenomena such as begging”. The story reads like a midevil, misguided, misunderstanding gone horribly wrong.

Westwood said she believes that fashion is a “cultural and artistic force that has the power to challenge people’s prejudices”. In this case, Westwood’s tactical approach to draw attention to the region’s, until now, quiet expulsion of non-Italian immigrants, was successful. The Blogosphere has also been rife with stories about the real story behind Westwood’s Gypsies. All because of a fearless woman with a big set of balls, and a Bear.

Thanks to Telegraph UK and BBC News for the links.

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