Dame Vivienne's travelling circus

If you tore out the pages of a Vivienne Westwood biography, threw them in the air and briefly skimmed your new rearranged version; voila, you would have the fall 2011 red label collection.

The show read like an erratic Westwood archive, wherein previous "best bits" collided in a volatile explosion; animal prints fell onto checks brushing against sophisticated "minimalist" silk, whilst paisley met nautical stripes and dogtooth briefly encountered fauna.  In short; refined sophistication complemented and fulfilled the bedraggled, dysfunctional edges.

In terms of theme, there was progression of sorts in the form of a "Hungover Alice in Wonderland Circus". Ring-leader velvetine tuxedos found chaotic harmony with the decrepit aristocratics of intoxicated queen of hearts style make-up.

The great Dame of fashion, ethics and philanthropy continues to rule and enthral Britannia with her signature cheeky audaciousness. On top since 1970, bring on the glittering Gold Collection a Paris.