Ozwald Boateng OBE receives honorary degree

Iconic fashion designer Ozwald Boateng OBE has been presented with an honorary degree from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA).

The celebrated tailor, whose trademark suits have been worn by the likes of President Barack Obama, Mick Jagger, Samuel L Jackson and Rio Ferdinand, was awarded the honorary Master of Arts during UCA Epsom’s graduation ceremony at Guildford Cathedral.

Ozwald Boateng said: “I’m really proud to receive this honorary degree. It’s a great feeling to have your years of hard work recognised. My father was a headmaster so I know he will be very proud to see me with an academic award.

“When you’re designing collections and running a business you can get lost in your own world and forget to celebrate what you’ve achieved.

“I have been very impressed with how much the students have achieved while at UCA and hope I can inspire them to excel in their chosen careers.”

Ozwald began making bespoke suits in the 1980s and was the first tailor to stage a catwalk show. He is widely credited with introducing Savile Row tailoring to a new generation.

In 2007, Ozwald founded Made in Africa, an organisation which exposes African business opportunities to international investment and capital markets and develops profitable commercial businesses, facilitating the entry of major public and private companies to Africa.

This autumn, Ozwald’s life story will be told in a full-length documentary film covering the last 12 years of his career. A Man’s Story captures the journey and evolution of Ozwald Boateng as a man as well as a designer.

Professor Elaine Thomas, Vice-Chancellor at the University, said: “Ozwald has made such an impact on British fashion – I am certain that the creativity and spark that characterise his designs will inspire our students and raise their aspirations.

“Ozwald’s collections are world renowned and his dedication to his work in Africa is outstanding.”

Groundbreaking graphic designer, Vaughan Oliver, received an honorary degree in the second UCA Epsom graduation ceremony of the day.

During his 30-year career, Vaughan has not only worked with an impressive list of clients in the graphic design industry, but also directed commercials for Microsoft, Sony and Harrods, and last year, was nominated for a Grammy Award for the boxset he made for the Pixies.

The University for the Creative Arts has 7,000 students, studying at campuses in Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester.

This year, it is also awarding honorary degrees to fashion designer Debbie Moore OBE, Meerkat animator Darren Walsh, wildlife photographer Hugh Miles, fine artist Dame Paula Rego, One Young World co-founder Kate Robertson and Sunday Times art director Jeff Potter.

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For more information contact:

David Reilly, Press Officer, UCA

T: 01252 892939

E: dreilly@ucreative.ac.uk

Twitter: @UCA_creative