BETTY Jackson, one of the UK’s top fashion designers, has been given an Honorary Doctorate of Huddersfield University.
Betty Jackson donned a turquoise gown over her stylish black trouser suit as she collected her doctorate award at the university’s St Paul’s Hall yesterday.
She was accompanied by Wendy Dagworthy, a fellow designer and her own mentor as she embarked on a career in fashion.
Betty said: “It is a huge honour and I am delighted. I think when you get invited to become involved it’s because I’ve been doing what I do for so long I can try to inspire others.
“I’m not sure if I do inspire other people, it’s lovely if I do, but I’m very much looking forward to meeting the students and seeing what they can do.”
Betty Jackson had visited the university once before yesterday and said she was impressed by what she saw.
“It was interesting to see the students’ work and with a new intake every year it will be good to follow the new students and see what they bring.”
Betty Jackson launched her first collection in 1981 with her husband and business partner David Cohen.
She’s one of the leading UK designers, unveiling more than 60 collections during the prestigious London Fashion Week.
She received an MBE from The Queen in 1986 for her services to British industry and exports.
Along with the high-end design work, she also designs a collection for Debenhams and said the link was a great way to reach more women.
Betty and Wendy Dagworthy were shown round the university’s fashion studios in the Creative Arts building by head of fashion Kevin Almond. They saw students who were designing their own creations.
Musician Rod Franks, one of the world’s leading trumpet players, who honed his skills in Yorkshire brass bands, was also made an Honorary Doctor of Huddersfield University.
Rod’ music can be heard on the soundtracks of more than 120 films, including Braveheart, the Star Wars and Harry Potter franchises, plus The King’s Speech.
He was born in Shipley and began playing the cornet at the age of six.
He was a member the Hammonds Sauce Works Band until 1971 when he was invited to leave school a year early to become a student at the University of Huddersfield – then a polytechnic – to study with the legendary trumpeter Maurice Murphy.
While at Huddersfield, Rod joined the championship-winning bands Brighouse and Rastrick and Black Dyke Mills. He continued his studies at the Royal Northern College of Music.
He is senior trumpet professor at London’s Royal Academy of Music.
In tomorrow’s Examiner Betty Jackson talks in depth about her career, inspirations and the fashion industry during difficult times.
