Original Vivienne Westwood 'Destroy' Shirt to be Offered at Auction

The Collectors Auction

Our upcoming 9^th September Collectors Auction is renowned for its diverse selection of rare and historic collectables, spanning categories including militaria, scientific instruments, political, and rock and roll memorabilia. Among this sale's standout lots is a true icon of British punk fashion - an original Vivienne Westwood 'Destroy' muslin shirt, one of the most recognisable and influential designs of the punk era.

Vivienne Westwood: The Mother of Punk

Few designers have shaped British pop culture quite like Vivienne Westwood, who is widely regarded as the 'Mother of Punk'. Alongside her partner, Malcolm McLaren, Westwood helped define the visual identity of the punk movement, creating clothing that embodied the anger, rebellion, and anti-establishment spirit of economically depressed 1970s Britain.

Working from their legendary King's Road boutique (first known as SEX) Westwood and McLaren produced provocative garments inspired by underground culture, fetishwear, political commentary, and art. Their uncompromising designs challenged convention and quickly became synonymous with the emerging punk scene.

Their close association with the Sex Pistols propelled the clothing line into the public eye. Frontman John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) and bassist Sid Vicious were childhood friends, and as the band rose to notoriety, McLaren and Westwood's designs became symbols of youth rebellion, disseminating punk fashion as a global cultural phenomenon.

In 1976, Westwood and McLaren introduced their Seditionaries collection, featuring screen-printed garments made from lightweight muslin, with confrontational graphics and highly charged imagery. Today, original Seditionaries pieces are among the most sought-after examples of vintage punk memorabilia.

Offered in our September auction is the celebrated 'Destroy' shirt, designed by Malcolm McLaren in 1977 and inspired by his philosophy that "you have to destroy in order to create". The design deliberately juxtaposes provocative imagery, including a swastika (used as a confrontational symbol), Jamie Reid's illustration of the decapitated head of Queen Elizabeth II, and Christ on the cross taken from Matthias Grünewald's Isenheim Altarpiece, one of McLaren's favourite works of art. The shirt also incorporates lyrics from the Sex Pistols' seminal anthem Anarchy in the U.K., cementing its status as one of punk's defining garments.

This remarkable example was acquired by local musician John Davis, who performed in several punk bands from the age of 16. Davis received the shirt from a fan while performing during the late 1970s, at the legendary Nashville Rooms in West Kensington, a venue synonymous with London's thriving punk scene, where he shared bills with influential acts including The Stranglers.

With an estimate of £200-400, we’re expecting the shirt to cause excitement among collectors. After all, it wouldn't be a genuine piece of punk history if it didn't cause a cultural commotion!