Vivienne Westwood Re-Imagines Alice In Wonderland

British designer Vivienne Westwood has marked the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale, Alice in Wonderland, with a special cover that she has designed in collaboration with Vintage Classics.

As well as lending her talents to the cover of the book, which features Westwood’s harlequin print alongside an image of Alice, the designer has also written a detailed introduction to the book, which includes an essay on her views regarding issues such as capitalism and the environment. “The world we think we know reflects the way we are conditioned to see it. Maybe it’s not like that at all. Carroll is on your side. Always wonder. ‘Alice in Wonderland’ is timeless, but with my cover and endpapers, by adding the ‘climate map’ and the text, ‘end capitalism,’ I have helped fix it in the present moment,” writes the designer, who has made no secret of her strong views.

Westwood has long had a connection to Carroll’s work—Alice in Wonderland inspired her Fall/Winter 2012 collection and she’s referred to the story as one of her favourites from her childhood. “It’s so brilliant. It is really subversive of official opinion and official attitudes to children. Our world is the world we make it,” she said to WWD. In honour of Westwood’s contribution to the anniversary cover, the designer held a special Mad Hatter’s tea party at her Conduit Street store in London, where she also read part of the story to 20 children from charities such as Shelter, Rays of Sunshine and Kids Company. Meanwhile the store’s interior paid homage to the book by suspending red playing cards from the ceiling, as well as giving guests a selection of teas, cakes and sandwiches all inspired by the tale.

The anniversary edition, published by Vintage Classics, is available from the Vivienne Westwood store and online.