Jonathan Anderson Picks Up Honorary Degree at University for the Creative Arts
SCHOOL TIME: Jonathan Anderson is joining the likes of Naomi Campbell and Bob Geldof in receiving an honorary degree from the University for the Creative Arts, otherwise known as UCA.
The Irish fashion designer was recognized for his creative efforts in the fashion industry.
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At Friday’s ceremony held at the Royal Festival Hall, the Loewe creative director and founder of his own eponymous label, JW Anderson, the designer offered students some words of wisdom.
“I was probably not the best student. Learning helped me to express myself. Getting an honorary award and sitting in this auditorium brings me joy, fulfillment and the awareness that I can do better. I don’t want to get stuck in the mud myself,” said Anderson.
He spoke candidly of his experience of being dyslexic. “Be careful with the advice you get, and be aware it comes from someone else’s experience, ignore all of the above: rules are useless,” he added.
Anderson urged the students to become sponges in their education.
“Authenticity is invaluable; originality is nonexistent. Steal, adapt, borrow. It doesn’t matter where one takes things from. It’s where one takes them to. Devour old films, new films, history books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, whatever. Only steal from things that speak directly to you. If you do this, your work will be authentic,” he said.
Anderson’s latest men’s spring 2025 show for Loewe looked to art and was all about restraint with security guards encircling tiny black metal sculptures of mice on the floor, and a copy of Susan Sontag’s “Against Interpretation” splayed on the hardwood.
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