Monday, 11 December 2023
The traditional graduation mortar board was given a designer label makeover at the University of Nottingham today, as the university recognised Nottingham’s home-grown fashion designer Sir Paul Smith with an honorary degree.
Sir Paul became an honorary Doctor of Letters, in recognition of his contribution to the fashion industry through the international brand he has built since opening his first store in Nottingham in 1970, and the partnership which his company has forged with the university to support the city’s business growth, investment, and global profile.
And to mark the occasion, Paul Smith has designed a bespoke set of University of Nottingham mortar boards with Ede & Ravenscroft featuring custom tassels taken from the company’s iconic colour palette and the Paul Smith signature stripes. The mortar boards will be donated to the university to be used in support of its charitable ventures.
Sir Paul Smith with the specially designed mortar boards to mark his honorary degree.
As part of the partnership, the groundbreaking ‘Paul Smith for the University of Nottingham Collection’ was launched last year to help raise the profile of Nottingham as a city of creativity, innovation and global connections after the pandemic. The collection pays tribute to his connection to his hometown and features the company’s striped design alongside a stylised depiction of the university’s iconic Trent Building. Items from the collection will be available to students and their families celebrating at this year’s Winter Graduation ceremonies at the university to take away as special memento of their time at the university and in Nottingham.
Sir Paul Smith is one of the best recognised British designers, establishing his namesake brand that now spans across multiple lines and creates clothing, accessories, shoes and fragrances, known widely for his use of colourful stripes.
He opened his first shop in Nottingham in 1970, selling other established brands as well as his own creations. In 1976, he debuted his first menswear collection in Paris under his eponymous label.
Now a global business, Paul Smith is sold in more than 70 countries and 3,000 retail stores.
Sir Paul received his honorary degree during the graduation ceremony held on University Park for students in the university’s School of Veterinary Medicine and Science.
During his graduation speech, he congratulated the new graduates on their achievements, before speaking of his close links and affection for the city of Nottingham.
As a young man living in Beeston and working in Nottingham, I would cycle by University Boulevard every day. The image of the original university building is etched into my memory and I can recall my father, who was born and raised in Nottingham, showing me photos of it being constructed.
He added: “As some of you might know, I started my business in Nottingham over 50 years ago, beginning with a tiny 3 metre square shop in the centre of town. We now sell in over 60 countries around the world, employing over 1,200 people directly with nearly the same again in Japan, of which over 400 are based in our headquarters in Nottingham. Many of our staff were schooled in Nottingham’s universities and believe it or not as an honorary freeman of the borough of Nottingham, I have the right to drive sheep over Trent Bridge! It’s a city I’m immensely proud to say I was born in. It’s with great pleasure and gratitude that I receive this honorary degree, thank you very much.”
The university is committed to helping Nottingham’s businesses and visitor economy recover from the pandemic by capitalising on its global connections. Over the next few years Paul Smith Ltd and the University of Nottingham will be working together with the companies from across the city to help showcase Nottingham creativity and innovation to a global audience. The University’s international alumni around the world who have an affinity with Nottingham as a place, not just as a university. The university also host of programme on behalf of the Midlands, funded by universities and the UK Government which is exploring practical ways in which universities can help boost regional trade and investment.
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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