Issue 196

Hundred + 96th Edition

POLO FOR ALL

Polo has shed its heritage tag, and more youngsters need to get involved with the sport. A tete-a-tete with Syed Basheer Ali and Jaivirsinh Gohil.

Polo has shed its heritage tag, and more youngsters need to get involved with the sport. A tete-a-tete with Syed Basheer Ali and Jaivirsinh Gohil.

Polo for All Blockbuster Tech in Polo

The reigning technologies of today, that have seeped into virtually all sectors, are also making an impact in Polo. Many new technologies can avert equine problems even before they actually start showing signs.

A Tranquil Escape

The Four Seasons at Landaa Giraavaru, Maldives, offers not just spellbinding experiences to satiate the soul, but is also an eco-conscious luxury haven. The guest facilities and the sun-sand-turf experience are out of the ordinary.

Maharaja Prem Singh Trophy (8 Goals), played during the Mumbai Polo Season, was won by Team Dynamix Achievers

LaPolo Official I

POLO FOR ALL

Polo has shed its heritage tag, and more youngsters need to get involved with the sport. A tete-a-tete with Syed Basheer Ali and Jaivirsinh Gohil.

olo in India has a regal past. From Maharaja Man Singh II and Rao Raja Hanut Singh, who together heralded the golden age of polo, today young polo players like HH Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh are

making a mark internationally. However, the royals and the Army are no longer its exclusive keepers. The game is coming into the open, abandoning its “hidden heritage” tag, and opening itself up to a new generation of Indians. The only “elite” aspect with which polo is aiming to be viewed as, is in its sportsmanship and grit in the sport.

Indian polo veterans have made their mark in the history of Indian polo and now it’s their turn to pass the torch to the next polo stars in the making. We reached out to Syed Basheer Ali and Jaivirsinh Gohil, and asked them their point of view with regards to the same.

Syed Basheer Ali has played polo for more than two decades. At a very young age, Ali along with his brothers Shamsheer and Hamza were trained by Nawab Syed Shujat Ali to become polo champs. Till date, the discipline and dedication instilled by his father are his biggest strength, so much so that he believes his

father to be the reason of his successful career and advises families to support young polo players, with better fields and more patrons.

Jaivirsinh Gohil (popularly known as Chamma among polo players and fans), coached by Mr JB Gohil from Gujarat for the first seven years of his life, too lays importance to the appropriate mentor. He says: “Only an experienced coach or

mentor can recognize a player’s talents, skills, and potential. In my opinion, even if a player surpasses a mentor in skill and talent later in his career, he will still need that mentor’s advice.”

While family support is important, Sayeed Basheer Ali also feels that practice can be a game changer. When asked about what would be his advice to young players, his response

was “play, play, play”. One can sum it up with the old saying: “Practice makes a man perfect.”

Taking a similar stand on the question, Jaivirsinh Gohil revealed that 70% share of victory goes to the pony and the remaining 30% to the player. As a result, the only option to advance in the game is to get more experience by taking part in more matches. Additionally, he advises buying ponies, caring for them, and, if necessary, hiring management personnel. But, perfection is not a destination, rather, a journey and who better than Jayvirsinh Gohil can understand this. While conversing with us, he told us that he began riding when he was 14 years old. Since his father forbade the use of any vehicles and the ground was 15 kilometers distant, the only choice was public transportation. For five years, he would get on a bus at 4.30 in the morning and run 2 kilometers to get to the ground. This determination and patience has made him one of India’s most in-demand Polo players today.

As they say, every master was once a beginner, so we asked about their favourite memory of playing polo when they had started out. While, among many events, Syed Basheer Ali remembers his Bagota tournament where he, although lost, was delighted to have reached the finals, Chamma said going to the Jindal group last year altered his game. Additionally, the daily international-level chukker practice sessions with the best players revamped his and his horse’s level of fitness, which further enhanced his performance.

Finally, we asked how the polo fraternity might support the academic components of polo and inspire the next generation to learn the game. “In India, there are 32 states, but only 4 or 5 of them play polo. Therefore, Polo needs to be popularized by hosting awareness-raising events in many states. In order to inspire the younger generations, Polo should be introduced in perhaps two or three schools across each state,” said Jayvirsinh Gohil.

USPA LAUNCHES NEW FLORIDA CIRCUIT 16-GOAL SUPER-SERIES

The United States Polo Association and participating clubs announced the inaugural Florida Circuit 16-Goal Super-Series. The series will be played across multiple clubs, with the Championship hosted by the National Polo Center – Wellington (NPC). The participating clubs include Port Mayaca Polo Club (Okeechobee, Florida) and Sarasota Polo Club (Sarasota, Florida) as well as the Wellington Polo Tour (WPT) led by Patagones Polo Club (Wellington, Florida) and a series of private fields falling under the WPT umbrella. The USPA tournaments that comprise the series include the Joe Barry Memorial, Ylvisaker Cup, Iglehart Cup, and Continental Cup. Each tournament will serve as a qualifier for the Florida Circuit 16-Goal Super-Series Championship, with each winning team moving on to the finale at the beginning of April. A true testament to the collaboration between South Florida clubs, there is a shared benefit in this new endeavor, allowing participants to experience all the comforts of their home club while also having the opportunity to play in front of a large crowd at NPC. The Joe Barry Memorial and the Ylvisaker Cup will both be guaranteed three Sunday matches on NPC’s US Polo Assn. Field One, while all Championship games will be played at NPC.

POLO AROUND THE

ELDORADO POLO CLUB ANNOUNCES FIRST ROUND OF ROSTERS FOR WINTER SEASON

Eldorado Polo Club in Indio, California, announced that they have renewed their agreement with sponsor Goldenvoice for four years, plus an additional four years if both parties agree on the terms. As a result, the club proudly boasts 14 regulation playing fields, stabling for 1,100 horses, and an arena. The 2023 season will see a similar schedule to last year, with levels ranging from 2to 12 goals including two national USPA tournaments (National Amateur Cup, Rossmore Cup) along with Pro Pool and the Women’s Chukker League. The club will welcome an impressive number of teams for tournaments at all levels, including 11 at the 0- to 4-goal level, six at the 6- to 8-goal level, and five at the 9- to 12-goal level. The tournament schedule can be found below.

November 14 Barns open

December 13

December 17-18

December 22

Stick & Ball Field Opens

Linfoot Polo Clinic

Practice Chukkers begin Thurs, Sat & Sun

December 30- January 1 USPA Women’s Pacific Coast Open A Flight 14-16 Goal USPA Pacific Coast Challenge B Flight 8-12 Goal Club C Flight

January Pro Pool Matches Sat & Sun Club Chukkers Practice Thurs, Sat & Sun *January 12 Goal 4 team minimum

January 6-15 USPA Mack & Madelyn Jason Memorial 12 Goal Practice Wed, Matches Fri & Sun

January 20-29 USPA George Conkwright Master’s Cup 12 Goal Practice Wed, Matches Fri & Sun

January 6-29 USPA George Conkwright Master’s Cup 8 Goal Practice Wed/ Thurs, Matches Fri, Sat & Sun 4 Goal Practice Thurs, Matches Fri, Sat & Sun Subsidiary Tournaments: 8 Goal Mack & Madelyn Jason Memorial & 4 Goal World Gym

January 7 Eldorado Season Opening Party

January 8 Opening Day – Sunday Polo matches begin

February Pro Pool Matches Sat & Sun Club Chukkers Practice Thurs, Sat & Sun

February 3-12 USPA Carlton & Keleen Beal Cup Tournament 12 Goal Practice Wed, Matches Fri & Sun

February 17-26 USPA Fish Creek Constitution Cup 12 Goal Practice Wed, Matches Fri & Sun

February 3-26 USPA Fish Creek Constitution Cup 8 Goal Practice Wed or Thurs, Matches Fri, Sat & Sun 4 Goal Practice Thurs, Matches Fri, Sat & Sun Subsidiary Tournament: Carlton & Keleen Beal Cup

March Pro Pool Matches Sat & Sun Club Chukkers Practice Thurs, Sat & Sun

March 3-12 USPA Spreckels Cup 12 Goal Practice Wed, Matches Fri & Sun

March 17-26 USPA Rossmore Cup Skins Tournament 12 Goal Practice Wed, Matches Fri & Sun

March 3-26 USPA Pacific Coast Circuit Governor’s Cup 6 Goal Practice Wed/Thurs, Matches Fri, Sat & Sun Subsidiary Tournament: Spreckels Cup

March 3-26 USPA National Amateurs Cup 2 Goal Practice Thurs, Matches Fri, Sat & Sun Subsidiary Tournament: Spreckels Cup

March 24 End of Season Bash & Grooms Race

March 26 Closing Day – Sunday Polo matches conclude

HH MAHARAJA OF JODHPUR GOLDEN JUBILEE CUP COMES TO A CLOSE

The much-anticipated Cup got underway on Christmas Day. The tournament has been nothing short of exhilarating and has managed to keep the spectators on the edge of their seats throughout, but every riveting experience must come to an end. Rajnigandha Achievers lifted the Cup after putting up a stunning display of skill. A roster of matches played during the course of the tournament.

Date

25th December 2022

Team and Scores Results

Bedla Polo Vs. Suján Ashwa 8-6

Jodhpur Carysil Vs. Patine/Amyza 10-4.5

26th December 2022

27th December 2022

Rajnigandha Achievers Vs. Bedla Polo 9-5

Suján Indian Tigers Vs. Jodhpur Carysil 9-5

Rajnigandha Achievers Vs. Suján Ashwa 7-6.5

Suján Indian Tigers Vs. Patine/Amyza 6-5.5

29th December 2022 (Semi-Finals)

30th December 2022 (Finals)

Rajnigandha Achievers Vs. Jodhpur Carysil 9-6.5

Suján Indian Tigers Vs. Bedla Polo 8-4

Rajnigandha Achievers Vs. Suján Indian Tigers 6-5

HERMES’ CUP (EXHIBITION MATCH)

Onthe last day of the concluding 23rd Jodhpur Polo season, a final display of athletic poise left us wanting more. The teams that rounded off against each other were Martin’s Musketeers and Patrick’s Panthers. Both Patrick’s Panther and Martin’s Musketeers were going neck and neck, with equal scores at the last minute of the 4th chukker, when Panthers blazed ahead, scored the winning goal and won the game. The final score of this match was 5 goals to 4 in favour of Patrick’s Panther.

MAHARAJA PREM SINGH TROPHY

2023

The Maharaja Prem Singh Trophy, an 8-goal tournament, was held from 2-7 January 2023. Five teams participated in the tournament. The matches were filled with exuberant swings and swift moves all throughout. Th final match was between teams Mayfair Polo and Dynamix Achievers, with The Achievers team winning the trophy at the concluding score of 10-7.

THE DELHI SPRING POLO SEASON 2023

The Delhi Spring Polo Season 2023 is being organized from 13 Feb - 26 Mar 2023 by the Army Polo and Riding Centre (APRC), New Delhi, under the aegis of the Indian Polo Association. The tournaments will be held at Jaipur Polo Ground (inside Delhi Race Course) and Army Equestrian Centre, Delhi Cantt. All the tournaments will be played under IPA rules and guidelines. The civil polo teams/players (Army, Paramilitary Forces, CAPFs, State Police, and Civilians) participating in Delhi Spring Polo Season 2023 will be provided with a temporary stabling facility at the Army Equestrian Centre (AEC). The following tournaments will be conducted during the Delhi Spring Polo Season 2023

S.no Tournament Handicap Preliminary Games Finals Date

(a) Gen Sparrow Cup 04 Goal 13 Feb to 18 Feb Sun, 19 Feb 2023

(b) Northern India Polo Championship 20 Goal 20 Feb to 24 Feb Sun, 26 Feb 2023

(c) Army Polo Championship 04 Goal 20 Feb to 03 Mar Sat, 04 Mar 2023

(d) IPA National Polo Championship Open 27 Feb to 03 Mar Sun, 05 Mar 2023

(e) Maharaja Hari Singh Memorial Cup 10 Goal 06 Mar to 10 Mar Sun, 12 Mar 2023

(f) DG RVS Cup 02 Goal 06 Mar to 16 Mar Sat, 18 Mar 2023

(g) Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Gold Vase 10 Goal 13 Mar to 17 Mar Sun, 19 Mar 2023

(h) Radha Mohan Rajinder Mohan (RMRM) Gold Vase

(i) IPA Junior and Sub Junior National Polo Championship

08 Goal 20 Mar to 25 Mar Sun, 26 Mar 2023

02 Goal Dates to be decided

(j) Gen Thimayya Cup Dates to be decided

TURF GAMES INTERNATIONAL POLO CUP (8 GOAL)

Played between La Martina and Rest of the World, this one day exhibition match of The Mumbai Polo Season was 4 rounds of applaudable chukkers. Both the teams unleashed their strengths to win the trophy, with La Martina taking the lead in the beginning and Rest of the World keeping up with them throughout the match. The match ended with a happy sight as the game concluded with a draw at a score of 5-5, and both the teams raised the trophy.

POLO

Astatue of a Polo player sitting on a horse was inaugurated by Home Minister Amit Shah on January 6. The 122 foot tall statue is set up at The Imphal’s Marjing Polo Complex. The legacy of Sagol Kangjei, the sport that led to the birth of modern Polo, needs to be carried on. The statue is also a source of recollection of the dire need to conserve the Manipuri Ponies. The statue is a starting point for reviving The Manipuri Polo so that more youngsters take up the sport and carry it forward.

BLOCKBUSTER TECH IN POLO

The reigning technologies of today, that have seeped into virtually all sectors, are also making an impact in Polo. Many new technologies can avert equine problems even before they actually start showing signs.

Technology has seeped into every possible area of our society. The world of equestrian has had it no different. There have been numerous advantages to adopting Tech. First, the internet has enabled experts in the equestrian field to share best practices with one another in real-time. Second, sophisticated medical devices have made it possible to maintain systematic records on the health parameters of horses, to ensure owners are aware of the animal’s well-being. Third, ultra-modern sensors keep track of animal movements in the stable, so if

there is any distress detected, its carers can reach it immediately to address the issue. And finally, it helps in tracing the essential relationship the horse shares with its rider, thereby providing a chance for trainers to strengthen the bond they have.

In this piece, we track the futuristic gadgets flooding the equestrian markets.

Blockchain: This is a system in which a record of transactional

information is maintained across computers that are linked in a peer-to-peer network. Though its uses have been found most beneficial to organisations in the financial space, it is steadily gaining a foothold in other areas as well. Blockchain allows horse owners from across the world to store valuable information about horses, and their prices, among others in electronic devices. Essentially, an equine enthusiast can access the database to gather any needed information. These days

several federations require microchips to be inserted in horses, including the United States Equestrian Federation, to monitor the animal’s health status. Consequently, Microchip manufacturers are benefiting from the move, but so will prospective horse owners, veterinarians and anyone else interested in learning more information about a specific animal.

3D Printing: 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is the construction of a threedimensional object from a

digital 3D model. It can be done in a variety of processes in which material is deposited, joined or solidified under computer control, with the material being added together, typically layer by layer.

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation in Australia has recently developed a 3D horseshoe printing technology to generate horseshoes using imaging software that analyses the hoof in detail to provide shoes with a superior ergonomic fit. In a similar vein, it could also be used to design prosthetics for animals

with injured legs.

Virtual Reality: Virtual reality is a simulated experience that employs pose tracking and 3D near-eye displays to give the user an immersive feel of a virtual world. It provides a revolutionary way for veterinarians to practise surgeries on horses. Complex

All Manipur Polo Association

surgeries can now be practised in a classroom ad libitum, minimising the risk to animals. It also helps in saving the animal from enduring invasive procedures, while simultaneously providing a rich simulated learning experience.

Movement Sensors: A sensor is a device that detects events and changes in its environment and sends the information to other electronics, consequently sensors generally come paired with other electronics.

Advanced wearable horse girth allows for the measurement of a horse’s heart and breathing rate during various types of movements like walking, trotting, cantering, and galloping. This collected

information is saved for review. The inferences drawn from that review could later be used for fine-tuning the training program based on the evaluation of the horse’s performance.

Internet of Things: The Internet of Things describes physical objects with sensors, processing ability, software and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the Internet or other communications networks. One of the more recent arrivals in this segment has been connected saddles. These record data such as the regularity of a horse’s strides, and speed, among others. Post that, all the collected data is transmitted via Bluetooth to smartphones for instant feedback, thereby aiding in improving horse performance and efficiency.

Artificial Intelligence: Artificial intelligence is intelligence—perceiving, synthesising, and inferring information—demonstrated by machines, as opposed to intelligence displayed by

humans. An example, in this case, includes speech recognition, computer vision, and translation between languages, among others. AI-powered wearable devices

collect data about external field conditions like temperature, humidity, etc, that will after that be thoroughly analysed in order to provide recommendations

to trainers.

Drones: Drones are flying robots that can be remotely controlled by an on-ground handler. Though their specific uses in the field of equestrianism remain unclear, it is believed that they could potentially be deployed to deliver vaccines to veterinarians in remote areas, who treat horses.

Augmented Reality: Augmented reality is an interactive experience that combines the real world and computer-generated content. The content can span multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, and olfactory. Equine thermography, for instance, uses a camera that detects infrared waves on the horse’s body surface that are invisible to the human eye. Specific devices use that information to detect issues in horses’ ligaments, tendons, and muscles, among others to detect prospective injuries often weeks before the animal is even showing signs of pain, allowing for the opportunity to preventatively treat the animal.

Equines Around The World

KENTUCKY HORSE TESTS POSITIVE FOR STRANGLES

Strangles were found in a two-year-old Thoroughbred gelding in Fayette County, Kentucky. On December 28, the horse arrived from out of state at the race training facility. On December 29, he became fractious and was isolated from the other horses at the facility. On January 2, a second fever was detected, and the horse was transported to a referral hospital, where it is still being treated in isolation. Strangles was announced officially on January 4. Thirteen more horses have been affirmed. Streptococcus equi subspecies equi, which causes strangles in horses, is spread through exposure to infected animals or contaminated surfaces.

UNBEATEN CHARLES DICKENS TO COMPETE AGAINST 5-YEAR-TWO-TIME REIGNING CHAMPION

The unbeaten Charles Dickens (SAF) is scheduled to compete against Messrs. C.T. Crowe & N.Jonsson’s 5-year-two-time reigning champion Jet Dark (SAF) in Saturday’s 1-mile R1.5 million L’Ormarins King’s Plate (G1) at Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town. The King’s Plate, which is being run for the 162nd time, has eleven horses entered. Last year’s race (formerly known as the Queen’s Plate) was won by Justin Snaith’s horse Jet Dark by a distance of 2 12 lengths from Kommetdieding (SAF). But Jet Dark will be put to the test by Charles Dickens, a 3-year-old homebred from Drakenstein Stud who has won all six of his starts since his debut in April 2022 and is another Trippi son.

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION APPROVES ZYCOSON TO CONTROL OSTEOARTHRITIS IN HORSES

Zycosan (pentosan polysulfate sodium injection) has been granted by the American Food and Drug Administration to treat horses with osteoarthritis-related clinical symptoms. The FDA has approved Zycosan, an injectable pentosan product, which is a substance similar to heparin. Zycosan will be a significant addition to the list of approved medications for controlling osteoarthritis in horses’ clinical symptoms. When using pentosan on an equine patient, the FDA strongly advises veterinarians to utilise the lawfully marketed, FDA-approved Zycosan.

HORSE POSITIVE FOR EQUINE INFLUENZA IN WASHINGTON

One horse in Pierce County, Washington, has been identified as having equine influenza, according to the State Veterinarian’s office. The horse is housed at a personal establishment. We don’t know if any more horses were affected. There isn’t a quarantine in place right now. Equine influenza is a respiratory illness that affects horses, ponies, and other equids like donkeys, mules, and zebras. It is extremely contagious. It is transferred by the virus that causes it through sick horses’ saliva and respiratory secretions.

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR 2023 THOROUGHBRED INDUSTRY EMPLOYEE AWARDS

On Friday, the top three candidates from the shortlists for each of the six categories for the 2023 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards were revealed. The event, originally known as the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, received nominations from 60 personnel across the sector, and ten-person shortlists were created for each award in November. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the award winners were announced virtually for the previous two years; however, in 2023, an in-person ceremony will be held at York Racecourse on February 20.

https://www.racingpost.com https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com

THE PEGASUS INVITEES OF 2023

A Tranquil Escape

The Four Seasons at Landaa Giraavaru, Maldives, offers not just spellbinding experiences to satiate the soul, but is also an eco-conscious luxury haven. The guest facilities and the sunsand-turf experience are out of the ordinary.

Just for a moment close your eyes and imagine yourself in the midst of sparkling, azure blue water, maybe someplace a few miles off a sun-soaked coast. Here, deep underneath the ocean, you’re witness to a riot of a magical, enigmatic blend of colours. From swimming over the shimmering, brilliantly

hued coral gardens, to catching a glimpse of the rhythmic movements of vibrantly coloured shoals of fish, for a few precious minutes nature cradles you in her unfathomable, heavenly depths. Her ocean’s tranquil, idyllic quality will transport you to a paradisiacal realm. And long after you’ve left, the essence of her confounding profundity will still remain with you.

A dive off the Four Seasons at Landaa Giraavaru, Maldives is precisely what leads you to that spellbinding territory. Built in a contemporary Maldivian design, the Landaa Giraavaru resort is delicately nestled over a sun-kissed lagoon allowing guests to dive off the deck right into the warm Indian Ocean. Walking the palm-dotted coast, taking

out bird-watching treks, going in for a quick dip in the ocean or resorting to the good old afternoon nap on the soft sands of the beach are just some of the many enticing escapades the resort offers. The resort houses a hundred and three suites and villas within its perimeter. The suites have been artfully furnished with pieces that

While there are a ton of water-based recreational activities like swimming, diving, surfing, canoeing, and kayaking among others to choose from, diving provides the most comprehensive underwater experience in terms of exploring the oceanic world.

reflect the high-quality craftsmanship that has gone into producing them. The floor-to-ceiling, glass-panelled sliding doors of each of these suites allow guests to bask in the warm sunshine and saltscented air that pours through them. The Water Villas offer a

similar experience but come with the additional benefits of a private swimming pool, enormous wood-panelled sundecks, outdoor showers and nets over the water for taking a nap to the soothing sound of waves lapping on the shore. Accommodations across the resort offer an ethereal view of the late afternoon sun slowly dissolving into the ocean over the horizon.

For the privacy-conscious guest, there is an ultraluxurious three-bedroom, thousand-square-foot Landa Estate shoreline. Guests can order gourmet cuisine from

these tents while letting the warm coastal breeze wash over them. This Four Seasons resort has come to be known for its gold standard in hospitality. Most of the guests come to this Maldivian property in vacation mode, so the staff work closely with them to cultivate a strong relationship to make their stay special for them. Connecting with guests also allows the staff to be able to keep up meticulously with each

individual guest’s itinerary thereby offering a hassle-free leisure experience. The highlight of the resort is its Professional Association of Diving Instructors 5-Star IDC dive centre. While there are a ton of water-based recreational activities like swimming, diving, surfing, canoeing, and kayaking among others to choose from, diving provides the most comprehensive underwater experience in terms of exploring the oceanic

world. The ecosystem in this region is characterized by a very high cover rate of coral and is dominated by several species of tabular, branching and digitate corals of the genus Acropora. In addition to a high number of pelagics, the surrounding waters shelter many large marine animals such as sea turtles, dolphins, moray eels, tuna and groupers.

A dive tour leads you through a trail teeming with marine wildlife. There are boundless populations of butterflyfish, oriental sweetlips, white-tip reef sharks, hammerheads, eagle rays and Napoleon wrasse among others gliding in these waters. Apart from its various recreational options, the resort has also been at the forefront

of educating its guests about the damage climate change has been wreaking on the local flora and fauna. The resort is home to a Marine Discovery Centre with several full-time scientific divers and researchers, working on projects with a focus on surveys of the local macrofauna and reimplantation of coral in the damaged areas, mostly funded by visiting guests. The centre also provides popularization courses on marine life, aimed at resort guests and local islanders. So if peace and calm in a secluded spot of tranquillity are your go-to for recreation, then the Four Seasons at Landaa Giraavaru,, Maldives is a must-do.

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD

The doyenne of the British fashion world passed away on 29 November 2022 at the age of 81, leaving behind a legacy that mostly consisted of clothing designs laced with elements of the 1970s punk culture. Her death brings down the curtain on a much-publicised era in the fashion world, characterised by designs tinged with electrifying quirkiness.

Vivienne Westwood (nee Swire) was born on 8 April 1941 in Tintwistle, Cheshire, to Gordon Swire and Dora Swire. Her parents were married a few weeks before the outbreak of the Second World War. She was born into a working-class family, given that at the time of her birth, Westwood’s father worked as a shopfloor hand in an aircraft factory.

When Westwood was seventeen, her family moved to London, where she enrolled in a jewellery designing course at the University of Westminster. Incidentally, she quit the course

just after one term as she felt that making a mark in the fashion world given a humble background might be an irrational endeavour.

Having temporarily put aside her dreams of being a jewellery designer, Westwood

went on to enrol in a teaching training course, eventually becoming a primary school teacher. During this period, Westwood tried her hand at part-time jewellery designing, selling her pieces at a stall on Portobello Road. It was sometime around this

time that she met her husband Derek Westwood, whom she wed in 1962. Their son, Benjamin, was born in 1963.

Westwood’s breakthrough years

Westwood’s marriage to Derek slowly began to crumble after

she began an affair with fellow fashion designer Malcolm McLaren. After the end of her first marriage, Westwood and McLaren moved into Thurleigh Court in Balham, where the couple’s son Joseph Corré was born in 1967.

Westwood continued to work as a primary school teacher

until 1971, while simultaneously beginning to collaborate with McLaren on designing clothes. During this time, McLaren became the manager of the then-upcoming punk band Sex Pistols, and subsequently, the couple garnered attention as the band wore Westwood’s and McLaren’s designs.

In the first half of the 1970s, punk culture slowly began to seep into mainstream fashion design. Westwood’s and McLaren’s strong advocacy for the nascent movement helped to hasten its growth. Given her deep involvement in this area, Westwood was considered a prominent enabler of the punk fashion phenomenon, and was quoted as saying “I was messianic about punk, seeing if one could put a spoke in the system in some way.” The store that she co-managed with McLaren, SEX, was a meeting place for early members of the London punk scene. Westwood also inspired the style of punk icons, such as Viv Albertine, who wrote in her memoir, “Vivienne and Malcolm use clothes to shock, irritate and

provoke a reaction but also to inspire change.” Her eccentric, offbeat designs were also a reflection of Westwood’s strong desire to create designs that had characteristics of anti-establishment elements.

McLaren and Westwood’s first fashion collection to be presented to potential international buyers was called Pirate. Post its remarkable success, the couple went on to present many more collections in Paris and London with the thematic titles Savages (shown late 1981), Buffalo/Nostalgia Of Mud (shown spring 1982), Punkature (shown late 1982), Witches (shown early 1983) and Worlds End 1984 (later renamed Hypnos, shown late 1983), among others. Her partnership with McLaren was dissolved, after which Westwood showed one more collection under the Worlds End label: Clint Eastwood (late 1984–early 1985). She dubbed the period 1981–85 “New Romantic” and 1988–91 as “The Pagan Years” during which “Vivienne’s heroes changed from punks and ragamuffins to Tatler girls

wearing clothes that parodied the upper class”.

Later years Vivienne Westwood’s stellar work was acknowledged by every segment of society, including the establishment whose values she had opposed through her works. In 1992, she was awarded an OBE by

Queen Elizabeth II for her contribution to the fashion world. Again in 2012, Westwood was chosen as one of The New Elizabethans to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. A panel of seven academics, journalists and historians named Westwood among a group of 60 people in the UK “whose

actions during the reign of Elizabeth II have had a significant impact on lives in these islands and given the age its character”.

Throughout her life, Westwood championed several charitable causes, the most prominent being environmental conservation.

Westwood eventually became an ambassador for the clean energy crowdfunding platform Trillion Fund. Like most of her contemporaries have always said of her, Westwood lived by her values throughout her life, which made her stand apart both in personal and professional spheres of life.

After her death was announced, tributes for Westwood poured in from around the world. Many who had worked with her took to social media to share their experiences of interacting with her, adding that his magnetic presence would be missed.

Former Sex Pistols guitarist Glen Matlock paid tribute to Westwood, stating that it was “a privilege to have rubbed shoulders with her in the mid’70s at the birth of punk and the waves it created that still resound today for the disaffected.”

At times a controversial yet enigmatic figure, Westwood will still be remembered for her evocative work.