Westwood mixes politics and rock at London show

By Sarah Marsh

LONDON (Reuters) - A potent cocktail of politics and rock 'n' roll received loud applause at Vivienne Westwood's first London show in nine years on Thursday.

No stranger to controversy, the doyenne of British fashion sent the opening model strutting down the runway in Guantanamo-orange underpants emblazoned with the slogan "Fair Trial My Arse".

While the freebie bags at most fashion shows overbrim with make-up and sweets, Westwood's offered petitions and charitable donation forms.

"We need a whole change in ethic, otherwise we really are heading for disaster," said the iconic designer, who often peppers her shows with political messages.

Westwood told Reuters television that in order to focus on her cultural manifesto, she had handed over the designing reigns of her Red Label collection to a trusted advisor.

Westwood, who first came to public prominence in the 1970s with her bondage-inspired and safety-pin-laden creations for the Sex Pistols, said her autumn-winter Red Label collection owed much to the punk era.

Microskirts and minidresses were worn with knee-high leather boots, while animal spiral cuts gave the clothes a wild look.

"The look is rock 'n' roll and although inspired by the 70's is definitely about now. It's about modern girls going out and painting the town red," read the notes accompanying the show.