Item 2020.3.18 - Vivienne Westwood Harris Tweed and Denim Trousers

Identity area

Reference code

2020.3.18

Title

Vivienne Westwood Harris Tweed and Denim Trousers

Date(s)

  • nd [1990-1993] (Creation)

Level of description

Item

Extent and medium

1

Context area

Name of creator

Vivienne Westwood

Biographical history

Name of creator

Harris Tweed
(1909-present)

Administrative history

Harris Tweed is a registered trademark protected by a 1993 Act of Parliament and the Harris Tweed Authority. By this statute Harris Tweed cloth must be: 'Handwoven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides, and made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides.'

Until the middle of the 1800s wool tweed cloth woven in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland (the islands of Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra) was sold locally. From the 1850s it began to be sold more widely and became progressively popular which also led to it being copied. In 1909 the Harris Tweed Association Limited was formed and the Orb and Maltese Cross emblem with 'Harris Tweed' underneath was registered to provide certification of the cloth produced.

Repository

Westminster Menswear Archive

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Pair of trousers made out of checked Harris Tweed wool and light blue denim. The legs of the trousers are made of orange, green yellow, white and dark green tartan wool. The waistband (with seven belt loops), front hip sections, lower back yoke and denim fly are made of denim. There are three pockets at the front, two inset pockets with curved openings trimmed with denim and on the right him a small denim coin patch pocket. At the back are two patch pockets made of the tartan wool (matched to the pattern of the trouser) with denim trims across the top. Westwood orb emblem gold coloured metal button at top of fly and red Vivienne Westwood label on rear left side above pocket. Harris Tweed label on inside centre back waistband. Lined in light orange acetate rayon. Size 32
Country of Design: England
Country of Manufacture: England, Scotland

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      Physical characteristics and technical requirements

      Label: Vivienne / Westwood / Made in England
      Label: HAND WOVEN / Harris Tweed / The Harris Tweed Association Limited / Registered Trade Mark No 319214
      Label: LINING 100% ACETATE

      Measurements:
      Height: 110cm
      Width: 53cm
      Inside Leg: 78cm
      Outside Leg: 104cm
      Front Fly: Height: 21cm Width: 2.8cm
      Waistband width: 4.1cm
      Back Pockets: Height: 20.1cm Width: 17.5cm
      Yoke from side seam to centre back seam: Length:19cm H: 7.5cm
      Side seam to inside leg width: 31.2cm

      Materials: wool, cotton, acetate
      Condition: some holes in the wool: two near the hem at the front of the left leg; large hole on the right leg at the thigh by the outer side seam; round hole in the lining near the waistband to the left of the fly.

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      Note

      Purchased by the donor from Vivienne Westwood's Conduit Street or World's End store as part of a two-piece suit. The matching jacket (2024.49) was thought to be lost but was found in 2024 and donated.

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