Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood has passed away at 81

Legendary fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood has died aged 81.

The sad news was shared in a statement from her reps, which said she had died ‘peacefully and surrounded by her family’.

The statement read: “Vivienne Westwood died today, peacefully and surrounded by her family, in Clapham, South London. The world needs people like Vivienne to make a change for the better.”

It was posted alongside a photo of the designer and her quote of hers which read: “Tao spiritual system. There was never more need for the Tao today. Tao gives you a feeling that you belong to the cosmos and gives purpose to your life; it gives you a sense of identity and strength to know you’re living the life you can live and therefore ought to be living: make full use of your character and full use of your life on Earth.”

Her husband and creative partner Andreas Kronthaler said: "I will continue with Vivienne in my heart.

"We have been working until the end and she has given me plenty of things to get on with. Thank you darling."

Dame Westwood first made a name for herself with the punk movement back in the 1970s and went on to become one of the biggest names in the industry.

Over the years, she dressed a plethora of high-profile celebrities, including Dita Von Tease, Princess Eugenie, Namoi Campbell and Pharrell Williams.

And fans of Sex and the City will remember, one of her designs was also used in the 2008 movie, with Carrie Bradshaw (played by Sarah Jessica Parker) opting for a dress made by the British designer for her wedding to Big.

In the movie, Carrie is gifted the dress by Westwood who also includes a handwritten note.

After the success of the movie, Westwood designed a knee-length version to be sold on Net-a-Porter, which sold out ‘almost instantly as Bradshaw and Westwood fans alike fought for the gown’, Vogue wrote at the time.

Alongside her work in fashion, Westwood was also a political activist and lent her support to numerous causes including climate change, nuclear disarmament, and World Water Day.

In 1992, Westwood was awarded an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace for services to fashion, and this advanced to a DBE - meaning she became a Dame.

Westwood had two children, Ben Westwood and Joseph Corré.