'Deep Sky' jumper of multi-coloured patterned wool, designed by Vivienne Westwood, England, Autumn-Winter 1988-9

Jumper of multi-coloured patterned wool.

Given by Mr David Barber

This jumper was first presented in the 1988-89 Winter collection, but had been in conception as early as 1985, when Vivienne Westwood was planning a "knitted jumper which she imagined Prince Charles might wear in his spare time. So on it were all the insignia that a prince of Britain might have; griffons, coat of arms, the thistle for Scotland, the leek for Wales, the shamrock for Ireland, a chain, the crown & also the orb from the crown jewels. To bring the futuristic feel into this she decided with the orb to add a satellite ring around it like the one around Saturn & also to add to the jumper design the phrase Deep Sky & some radar dishes." (from a post to the official Vivienne Westwood blog, posted 13 June 2013).
The phrase "Deep Sky" came from astronomy magazines lent to Vivienne by her son. Westwood was inspired by the publications' computer enhanced photos of galaxies, the event horizon of black holes, articles about 'Deep Sky' photography and photos of the planet Saturn with its ring system. Her friend Carlo D'Amario (who later became her business manager) suggested, after seeing the jumper design, that Westwood use the satellite-ringed orb for a logo as it represented her idea of taking tradition into the future. As a result, Westwood's famous orb logo was born and used from 1986 onwards, although the jumper itself did not reach the catwalk until the Time Machine show for Autumn-Winter 1989.
The ringed orb, knitted in yellow, and the phrase "DEEP SKY" can be found in the black stripe around the armholes on the garment.
- Daniel Milford-Cottam, 07/03/2023
Registered File number 1992/455.

T.72-1992