Kronthaler also recalled that Westwood had a keen passion for traditional Chinese culture, knowing a lot of Chinese poems by heart and often practicing writing Chinese characters with ink brushes.

This connection with traditional Chinese culture is expected to endure, finding representation in the brand's future designs.

"I'd like to work with craftspeople here, try to connect with Chinese traditional techniques and see if I can incorporate them into a collection," Kronthaler added.

"Embroidery, for example, because fine silk embroidery here is done on such a high level. It's normally done in a very traditional way, but maybe we can push that a little bit into something else."