Vivienne Westwood's granddaughter resigns from late designer's label

by · Mail Online

Vivenne Westwood’s granddaughter dramatically resigned from the late designer’s brand today, accusing its ‘bullying’ boss of betraying her grandmother’s legacy.

In a letter sent to all Vivienne Westwood staff, Cora Corré announced she was quitting as campaigns manager and called for the removal of chief executive Carlo d’Amario.

The model and activist, 27, also accused Italian-born D’Amario — who joined the company in 1986 — of having ‘bullied’ Dame Vivienne towards the end of her life.

Derbyshire-born Dame Vivienne, the ‘godmother of punk’ who is largely responsible for bringing new wave fashions into the mainstream, died in London aged 81 surrounded by family.

She became synonymous with her androgynous designs and outspoken views on politics and social affairs.

Cora Corré announced she was quitting as campaigns manager and called for the removal of chief executive Carlo d’Amario. Pictured: Vivienne and Cora in March 2022
Carlo D'Amario joined the company in 1986. Pictured: He attends Melissa X Vivienne Westwood Anglomania: Ride The Rocking Horse at Galeria Melissa on September 15, 2016
Dame Vivienne, the ‘godmother of punk’ who is largely responsible for bringing new wave fashions into the mainstream, died in London aged 81 surrounded by family
The Vivienne Foundation is managed by Dame Vivienne’s surviving relatives, including Corré (pictured here in March 2023)

But Corré’s letter to Vivienne Westwood employees, which was seen by The Times, stated: ‘In the years leading up to my grandmother’s death, she was deeply unhappy with the way the company was being run.

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‘It was her wish that... D’Amario was removed and the company was managed in a way that respected her values.’

The disagreement is between Vivienne Westwood, the brand selling items under the businesswoman’s name, and the Vivienne Foundation, a charity that she set up in 2019.

The foundation is managed by Dame Vivienne’s surviving relatives, including Corré, who according to Companies House became a director in April.

Andreas Kronthaler, 58, Dame Vivienne’s widower, remains creative director at the brand.

The letter suggests that D’Amario contested the foundation’s trademark, ‘preventing’ it from holding events or fundraising for causes Dame Vivienne ‘passionately’ supported. 

Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood at Buckingham Palace, in London, where she received her OBE from Queen Elizabeth II. She is giving a twirl for the photographers.
Vivienne Westwood walks the runway at the Vivienne Westwood show during the London Fashion Week Men's June 2017 collections

Dame Vivienne was known for being a staunch activist who brought issues she cared passionately about, such as the environment, to the catwalk.

According to the Intellectual Property Office, the brand trademarked ‘The Vivienne Foundation’ in categories such as ‘fundraising in the field of climate change’.

Corré claims that Dame Vivienne transferred all of her intellectual property and copyrights to the foundation before she died — including those created before the limited company was founded in 1993.

She has described reaching ‘breaking point’ after two years without communication from the company.

And Corré alleges that the brand has sent legal threats to the foundation, which a source says has ‘caused the family so much sadness’.

The Mail has contacted Vivienne Westwood for comment.