Inside Vivienne Westwood jewellery exhibition in Dundee: here’s all you need to see

A fascinating look into the works of Vivienne Westwood makes its UK debut next year in Dundee and we broke down all the details – check it out below

Vivienne Westwood’s impact cannot be understated, especially when it comes to the jewellery world.

The Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery exhibit comes to the V&A in Dundee on March 26th 2027 and offers an immersive look into the extensive history of Westwood’s jewellery design. Everything from the history and culture behind them to the inspiration she looked to along the way.

Mistinguette Pendant VIVIENNE WESTWOOD – Photography by JUERGEN TELLER

Caroline Grewar, Programme Director, V&A Dundee said: “We are delighted to announce Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery as our major exhibition for 2027. Curated by the Vivienne Westwood team, this spectacular new exhibition can be seen by audiences in the UK for the first time at V&A Dundee, Scotland’s design museum, from March next year.

“Dame Vivienne Westwood has always had a close connection with Scotland, receiving an honorary doctorate from the University of Dundee in 2008, spending time with art and design students during her visit. Opening Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery in Dundee is deeply significant, celebrating an extraordinary creative legacy and marking an important connection with the city.”

We broke down all you need to know about the Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery exhibit here:

Who curated the exhibition?

The exhibition has been created by Vivienne Westwood LTD and produced by Nomad Exhibitions. It seeks to offer a special look inside the history and details of the subversive and unique designs throughout the history of the design house.

What can you expect from the exhibition?

The exhibition has been curated to showcase four decades of special archival and runway jewellery pieces which will be displayed together as a collection for the first time.

It will recall on past iconic runway shows and collections, showing the jewellery in action paired with classic Westwood garments.

Original Orb Necklace Gold Label AW88.89 Vivienne Westwood – Photography by Philippe Lacombe

It will use sound, catwalk looks, collages across the walls, imagery, and videos to enhance the exhibition and provide a unique experience inside the world of Vivienne Westwood.

On top of that, it will also look into Westwood’s relationship with Scottish textiles and culture through specially selected looks from the archive.

Along with the looks, the exhibition will go through the history of the British design house showing how jewellery was an integral part of Westwood’s design process even from the beginning of her career.

Where will the exhibition be?

The exhibition will be housed in Gallery 1 of the V&A in Dundee. It can be found on the cities waterfront at 1 Riverside Esplanade, Dundee, DD1 4EZ, Scotland.

How do you get tickets?

At time of writing, V&A Dundee have shared that the tickets will become available in early 2027.

Like this? Check out a first look at the historic Cartier necklace owned by Dame Nellie Melba to be auctioned at Bonhams and see as Ana De Armas shines bright in stunning new Louis Vuitton ‘Color Blossom’ collection.

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Vivienne Westwood reimagines pearl choker as stunning new wristwatch 

Vivienne Westwood has just released a brand-new jewellery watch, inspired by one of the fashion house’s most famous accessories – the iconic pearl choker.

Reimagining the three-row pearl Bas Relief choker from the 1990 ‘Portrait’ collection, the new, limited-edition Strand pearl watch features a bracelet made of three rows of Swarovski glass pearls, seamlessly integrated with a central orb watch case.

Vivienne Westwood Strand pearl watch up close
Vivienne Westwood’s new Strand pearl wristwatch

The crystal-encrusted orb, a symbol synonymous with the British fashion house, opens to reveal a hidden satin sunray watch dial.

The original pearl choker debuted as a single strand in the late 1980s as part of the late designer’s Harris Tweed Fall 1987 runway collection. It was later updated to a triple strand for Westwood’s Portrait collection in 1990. The design features a central two-dimensional orb adorned with white crystals and has since become a cult favourite on platforms like TikTok.

Vivienne Westwood Strand pearl watch
Vivienne Westwood’s new Strand pearl watch on the wrist

Today, the TikTok necklace is a staple of the A-list – Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Bella Hadid are just a few of its fans. The TikTok pearl necklace’s most viral celebrity appearance came during King Charles III’s coronation back in May 2023, when Katy Perry wore a three-strand pearl choker set with Westwood’s Swarovski crystal-encrusted Orb logo at its centre to the Westminster Abbey ceremony.

Its popularity has also been bolstered by the currently trending manga Nana, adapted into an anime series from 2006 to 2007, which heavily promotes Westwood’s Orb design. Its author, Ai Yazawa, a former fashion student, was charmed by the British designer’s punk roots, sparking a craze for Westwood’s jewellery with the show’s cult following. During the mid 2000s, Westwood even took advantage of this fanfare and collaborated with Nana on advertisements featured in the popular Japanese punk fashion magazine Kera.

Vivienne Westwood pearl choker
Vivienne Westwood’s Bas Relief three-strand pearl choker

Available exclusively at Vivienne Westwood boutiques, Selfridges and select Beaverbrooks locations across the UK and online, the new gold-plated jewellery watch is powered by a Swiss-made quartz movement and retails at £450 / $610.

Like this? Taylor Swift wears Vivienne Westwood’s TikTok pearl necklace at Miami show

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Taylor Swift wears Vivienne Westwood’s TikTok pearl necklace at Miami show

Taylor Swift stunned the crowd during her Eras Tour concert at the Hard Rock Stadium at the Miami Gardens in Florida. She also made quite the statement with her choice of jewellery, wearing Vivienne Westwood’s Orb choker.

Taylor Swift wears Vivienne Westwood's Orb necklace onstage during The Eras Tour in Florida
Taylor Swift wears Vivienne Westwood’s Orb necklace onstage during The Eras Tour in Florida (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images)

The Vivienne Westwood design has become an internet phenomenon in recent years, so much so that it has been re-named the TikTok necklace. The design worn by Swift is a three-strand pearl choker set with Westwood’s Swarovski crystal-encrusted Orb logo at its centre.

Taylor Swift wears Vivienne Westwood's Orb necklace onstage during The Eras Tour in Florida
Taylor Swift wears Vivienne Westwood’s Orb necklace onstage during The Eras Tour in Florida (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images)

The original design launched in the 1980s as part of Westwood’s Harris Tweed Fall 1987 runway collection with a single pearl strand. It was later updated to a triple-strand for Westwood’s Portrait collection in 1990. Today, the TikTok Necklace is a go to piece of jewellery for influencers and the A-list, including Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Katy Perry, who previously wore the Orb choker at King Charles III’s coronation.

The ‘Fortnight’ singer also made a sweet nod to her boyfriend, football star Travis Kelce, with one of her favourite hoop earrings. On stage, Swift opted for the ‘T’ Mini Hoop from Los Angeles jeweller Jacquie Aiche – the ‘T’ a reference to Travis, or her own name, Taylor.

Taylor Swift's earrings were a sweet nod to her boyfriend Travis Kelce
Taylor Swift’s earrings were a sweet nod to her boyfriend Travis Kelce (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images)

This isn’t the first time Swift has used ‘T’ jewellery to reference her love, either. In the past, she has worn a TNT bracelet and a 87 ring – 87 is his football jersey number. Swift and Kelce were first linked in July 2023 when the Kansas City Chiefs tight end shared he attempted to ask Swift out after attending her Eras Tour.

Jacquie Aiche, the jeweller behind Swift’s sentimental ‘T’ hoop earring, is a favourite with musical A-listers such as Rihanna and Usher, and is best known for her bohemian-inspired designs set with diamonds, healing crystals and ornamental stones.

Travis Kelce during an NFL Football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium
Travis Kelce during an NFL Football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Speaking to Something About Rocks in 2022, Aiche unravelled her journey into jewellery making, “Jewellery found me. I was the rebel of my family and I had to support myself. I was working in retail, and while I was there, there was no fun in jewellery for me. It was all traditional: Cartier and Chanel necklaces, Tiffany Link bracelets. I was always drawn to more mystical pieces. My father is Egyptian, so growing up, my grandmother was always adorned in gold coins and little totems and all different types of talismans. So, I started to make some fun stuff for myself. And when I was in the shop, clients were asking, “what are you wearing? What is that necklace?” And I would just sell the pieces off my body.

I was anonymous for many years. I’m usually a behind-the-scenes kind of girl so nobody really knew it was me until clients were coming in like, “we want to meet this designer. We love her pieces.” So, I finally had to come clean and let them know that it was me. And slowly but surely the jewellery just took over, and I came back home. It was about 2008 when I closed my shop.”

Explaining the development of her signature look, she added, “I come from retail and I was dressing women for 15 years, it was more about having the woman feel uniquely beautiful. And, even though she was coming in for her outfits, she still didn’t feel as special as she did when she wore the necklace that I would make for her. And that’s why I dress all ages. So my signature look, I guess, would be the body jewels. I’m known as the Crystal Queen.”

Like this? Here’s all about the ring Gigi Hadid gave to BFF Taylor Swift

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