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The global appeal of Vivienne Westwood

Tributes to fashion designer Vivienne Westwood have poured in following her death.

Tributes to Dame Vivienne Westwood have poured in following the death of the "undisputed Queen of British fashion".

She died "peacefully and surrounded by her family" in London, her fashion house said in a statement.

Westwood, 81, made her name with her controversial punk and new wave styles in the 1970s and went on to dress some of the biggest stars in fashion.

Fellow designer Marc Jacobs said he was "heartbroken" and that she "never failed to surprise and to shock".

Paying tribute to her life and work, he wrote on Instagram: "You did it first. Always... I continue to learn from your words and all of your extraordinary creations."

Supermodel Naomi Campbell, who famously tripped while walking one of Westwood's runways in nine-inch platform heels, called the designer a "force of nature".

In a touching tribute, she recalled her own journey from admiring the designer from afar as a schoolgirl to working with Westwood and calling her a friend.

Fellow model Bella Hadid described the designer as "the sun" of the fashion industry - and said she was grateful to have been in her orbit.

Business Matters has been speaking to the fashion and beauty writer Sali Hughes about the global appeal of Vivienne Westwood.

Photo shows: British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood in 2017. Credit: EPA

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