Loewe Creative Director Celebrated by UCA for Contributions to Fashion Industry
Jonathan Anderson is adding another accolade to his name alongside famous personalities like Naomi Campbell and Bob Geldof. The Irish fashion designer was honored with an honorary degree from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) for his contributions to the fashion industry.
During the ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall, the Loewe creative director and founder of JW Anderson shared some inspiring words with the students. “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.
Anderson, who spoke openly about his experience with dyslexia, advised students to be cautious of the advice they receive. “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.
Encouraging students to soak up knowledge like sponges, Anderson emphasized the importance of authenticity in creativity. “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 expressed.
Anderson’s recent men’s spring 2025 show for Loewe highlighted art and minimalism, featuring tiny black metal sculptures of mice and a copy of Susan Sontag’s “Against Interpretation” embedded in the presentation.