'This award represents the possibility of turning a passion into a career’: Vivienne Westwood’s Victoria Simon

At last month’s Luxury Law Summit London, Victoria Simon, senior counsel at fashion house Vivienne Westwood, received the Fashion Counsel of the Year award. She began her legal career as a paralegal at Curzon Green Solicitors in London, later becoming a solicitor. She joined Vivienne Westwood in 2023.

Victoria spoke with the Global Legal Post about her career progression, her fashion counsel award and advice for other lawyers who want to enter the luxury marketplace. 

You began your career as a paralegal before becoming a solicitor. What drew you to becoming a solicitor? Did you always want to be a lawyer? 

I’ve always been fascinated by the law and the role it plays in shaping society. What really struck me was that even though the law affects every aspect of our lives, it’s not typically taught in schools or encouraged for everyone to understand. That curiosity led me to start my career as a paralegal after university, and the more experience I gained, the more certain I became that I wanted to qualify as a solicitor.

What then attracted you to the in-house role at Vivienne Westwood?

It was always my dream to combine my love of fashion with my career in law, especially at a brand I genuinely admired. Even while I was studying law at university, I was spending my free time on the committee of the university’s fashion society, helping to organise a fashion show, so those two interests always went hand in hand. I’ve always loved Vivienne Westwood and what it represents in British fashion, so when the opportunity to join the in-house team came up, it just felt like the perfect fit. It was a chance to bring together two things I was really passionate about in one role.

You received the Fashion Counsel of the Year award. What is important to you about that award? 

This award is meaningful to me because it represents the possibility of turning a passion into a career and a reminder that with hard work and determination, a dream career is within reach.

What advice would you give to a young lawyer looking for an in-house role in the luxury or fashion industry? 

One of the things I love about working in-house is the variety. You’re not just reviewing contracts. You become a strategic adviser to the business, working across everything from commercial matters and brand protection to emerging issues like ESG. My advice would be to gain as much exposure as possible to advising businesses, look for secondment opportunities in industries that interest you and stay curious about the commercial landscape. Keeping up to date with current affairs and legislative developments will help you understand not just the law, but the challenges businesses are navigating every day.

Do you have a favourite item you like to wear? Tell us about it. 

I may be a little biased, but my current favourite is the Puppy Corset from the Westwood Spring/Summer 2026 collection. The corset is, of course, one of the brand’s iconic silhouettes, and I really love how bold the red-and-purple tartan is. I actually wore the corset to the awards night, so it has a special place in my wardrobe.

Luxury Law Summit New York, which is hosted by The Global Legal Post, takes place at The Metropolitan Club on 10 November. Click here to read the programme and here to book a delegate place. For sponsorship enquiries, email [email protected].