UCA announces
2024 honours

The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) will award honorary doctorates to fashion designer, Jonathan Anderson, and multi-disciplinary artist and designer, Yinka Ilori MBE, alongside others at its upcoming graduation ceremonies in July.

27 Jun 2024

_{Jonathan Anderson/Loewe 2024. Photo by © David Sims}

Named one of the Most Influential People of 2024 by Time Magazine in its TIME100 list, Anderson will be recognised by UCA for his outstanding contribution to fashion design.

A designer with a curatorial approach to fashion making and brand building, Anderson has earned both critical acclaim and commercial success with the collections he designs as the creative director of Spanish fashion house, LOEWE, and for his eponymous label, JW Anderson. 

_{Yinka Ilori Photo by © Nikk Martin}

Meanwhile, Ilori, whose work includes architecture, interior design, graphic design, textiles, sculpture, furniture and film will be recognised for his outstanding contributions to art and design. A bold use of bright colours, playful designs and a beautiful marriage of his British-Nigerian influences are the hallmarks of Ilori’s work, which has seen him named in The New York Times Style Magazine’s 12 Talents Shaping the Design World, Architectural Digest’s 2024 AD100 List, and recognised by the World Architecture London Design Medal for Emerging Designers.

_{Pauline Waterhouse}

Also being recognised at UCA’s graduation ceremonies next month will be former UCA governor and education leader Pauline Waterhouse OBE who was Principal and Chief Executive of Blackpool and The Flyde College, one of the country’s largest colleges. Professor Rong Zhang, Chairman of Xiamen University Council (XMU), will be honoured for his role in establishing the Institute of Creativity and Innovation – ICI – a unique collaboration between XMU and UCA. ICI is the first cooperatively run academic school between Xiamen University and a foreign university.

_{Professor Zhang}

The upcoming graduation ceremonies, which will see over 3,000 students receive their degrees at the Royal Festival Hall in London, will be the first for UCA’s President & Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jane Roscoe, who joined UCA earlier this year.

Looking ahead to the ceremonies, Professor Roscoe, said: “Our honorary awards this year recognise creative leaders who are championing the power of education to transform lives, having global impact, and using their passion and craft to change the world through art, design and fashion. They are an inspiration to all of our students and staff and we are thrilled they are joining UCA.” 

The honoraries join an esteemed list of figures who have previously received UCA degrees, including the artist Banksy, fashion icon Naomi Campbell, architect Norman Foster, Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman and musician Bob Geldof. UCA alumni include BAFTA and Oscar winners and Turner and Pulitzer Prize holders.