Vivienne Westwood Turns Activist For London Greenpeace Protest

The 72-year-old fashion designer helped raise a flag for the 'Free The Arctic 30' protest at London's Southbank

Dame Vivienne Westwood joined activists outside the Shell headquarters in London earlier today to take part in the 'Free The Arctic 30' protest.

The 72-year-old was seen raising the group's flag at the Southbank protest to free the activists who have been arrested in Russia, as part of the group's continuing campaign against drilling in the Arctic.

Wrapped against the cold in a multi-coloured patchwork blanket and grey beanie hat, the British designer once again demonstrated her unfaltering passion and belief in the greater good by fighting for the environmental cause close to her heart.

And who better to lend a hand to this particular protest than Dame Viv, who earlier this month unveiled Greenpeace's special 'Thirty Acts of Courage' exhibition that now stands on that very same site.

Featuring giant black-and-white portraits of the activists currently held in Russia, the photographs were placed outside the London offices of the oil giant earlier this month, with the fashion legend herself hosting the revolutionary event.

'I’m delighted to be able to open this exhibition celebrating the bravery of the Arctic 30', she said at the charity's grand opening. 'Their audacious efforts to protect one of the world’s last remaining wildernesses from exploitation by the oil industry are an example to us all.'

'I urge everyone who cares about the climate, the natural world or the right to peaceful protest to share their concerns with Shell.'

The so-called Arctic 30 – 28 Greenpeace demonstrators and two journalists – are currently awaiting trial on piracy and hooliganism charges after being detained during a protest in the Arctic two months ago.

Go Viv!

Got a tablet? You can now download Marie Claire magazine straight to your iPad, Kindle (just search the store for 'marie claire magazine'), Nook or Google Nexus.