University of the Arts London has won the prestigious Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher & Further Education for a third time. The most recent award, which was announced at St James’s Palace, acknowledges Cordwainers at London College of Fashion's continued excellence in shoe and accessory design, development, and teaching practice. Presented biennially, the award recognises the outstanding contribution Universities and Colleges make to the intellectual, economic, cultural and social life of the nation. Cordwainers at London College of Fashion, one of the six-world class Colleges that make up University of the Arts London, scooped the award after demonstrating that its utilisation of cutting-edge technology, impeccable professionalism and fashion-leading creativity made it a global leader in its field. The excellence of Cordwainers at London College of Fashion, which was founded 120 years ago, is further underlined by the success of its students who have won a disproportionate share of the industry accolades available to them. That success has continued on graduation with many of the College’s alumni going on to establish themselves as major forces in their industry, building national and international brands. Recent awards include: 2004 - Student Accessory Designer of the year– National Footwear Awards 2004 - Student Footwear Designer of the Year– National Footwear Awards 2006 - Student Accessory Designer of the Year. All finalists in this category were Cordwainers’ students – Drapers Awards 2007 – Cordwainers’ students awarded first prize in both Footwear and Accessories and the majority of the finalists – Drapers Awards Former students include, Linda Bennett OBE, designer and founder of LK Bennett shops; Jimmy Choo OBE, designer and retailer of couture footwear, and designer and own label retailers Patrick Cox and Emma Hope. University of the Arts London Rector, Sir Michael Bichard says, ‘The University is delighted and honoured to have the work of Cordwainers at London College of Fashion and University of the Arts London recognised in this way. Dato’ Professor Jimmy Choo OBE graduate of Cordwainers at London College of Fashion commented, ‘Cordwainers at London College of Fashion, gave me the opportunity to refine my skills, to add more to the discipline of shoemaking that I had begun learning from my father. Before I knew it, I was making shoes for celebrities and members of the royal families from around the world. I am delighted that the valuable work of a college that gave me so much has been recognised by this prestigious award.’ Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design first won the Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 1998 for its creativity and innovation in fashion education. The Queen will officially present the award to the University during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in February 2008.
