Vivienne Westwood headlining Riyadh fashion week would be against her values, says granddaughter

Brand defends decision to show in Saudi Arabia alongside Stella McCartney as ‘a way to encourage dialogue’

Vivienne Westwood’s granddaughter has said her brand’s decisions “do not align with the values or wishes” of the late designer, as it announced it would headline Riyadh fashion week despite Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.

The fashion house has defended its decision to show in the Gulf petrostate this week alongside Stella McCartney as “a way to encourage dialogue” and “build understanding” and insisted its presence is not an endorsement of the Saudi regime.