News: Fashion Legend Vivienne Westwood's Life Story Set for Publication 2014

Picador has bought the personal memoir and authorised biography of legendary fashion designer Vivienne Westwood for publication in October 2014.

UK and Commonwealth rights were acquired from agent Ivan Mulcahy.

The work, first talked of the London Book Fair, will be a collaboration between Westwood and award-winning biographer and friend Ian Kelly. It will be partly her own story and partly made up of contributions from her friends, family and associates, who range from Prince Charles to Naomi Campbell.

Picador publisher Paul Baggaley said: "Vivienne Westwood is one of the greatest creative figures Britain has ever produced. Her influence on fashion and on the world of music is unique, but she is also a national treasure, a political activist and also one of the most iconic figures in Britain today. I have admired her genius ever since I discovered punk and I have watched with admiration as she has changed the face of fashion and become one of the most authentic global brands. Her own voice comes across brilliantly and Ian Kelly gives context and colour to this extraordinary life."

Kelly said that he is "keen to tell the truth about a huge-hearted, warm and witty individual, whose face and clothes are known the world over, but who is also recognisably the Derbyshire primary school teacher who met and fell in love with Malcolm McLaren and changed the world."

Westwood is often credited for co-creating the punk phenomenon with her former partner McLaren, manager of the Sex Pistols. As well being an icon in the fashion industry, she is a committed political activist.