Stella McCartney is to receive an honorary degree from the University of Dundee this summer at an exclusive graduation ceremony for design students attending the New Designers show in central London.
Ms McCartney, a top designer with the Gucci group will attend the ceremony at London's Estorick Gallery where she will meet design students from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design at the University of Dundee.
She will be awarded an LLD by Chancellor Sir James Black in the intimate ceremony surrounded by the best of contemporary Italian art.
Stella McCartney graduated from St Martin's in 1995 and her final year collection had the rare accolade of being bought by influential stores such as Browns, Joseph, Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. She launched her own line immediately on leaving college. In April of 2001 Stella McCartney resigned from Chloe and launched her own fashion house under her name in partnership with the Gucci group.
Also receiving an honorary degree from the University of Dundee this summer is Nobel prize winning poet Seamus Heaney. Heaney, who has been publishing poetry since 1966 is to be honoured for his contribution to literature and his example of moderation and integrity.
Heaney, and other recipients will receive their honorary degrees in Dundee during the traditional graduation ceremonies. The other are:
Michael Gordon, inventor of 'Harvey' - the cardiology patient simulator that the University of Dundee has pioneered in the UK - will travel from the University of Miami to receive his honour.
Vanessa Lawrence, Director General of the Ordnance Survey studied for a postgraduate degree in remote sensing at the University in the 1980s. She is the youngest person and only female to direct the Ordnance Survey.
John and Val Tuckwell, the publishing husband and wife team will be honoured for their commitment to Scotland and publishing its history and literature under the auspices of Tuckwell Press.
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design graduate Peter Baillie, chairman of DCA, will receive his honour for his enormous commitment and contribution to the visual arts in Dundee.
Tom McKillop is Chief Executive Officer of the world's fifth largest drugmaker Astrazeneca. He managed the most rapid and smooth merger between Sweden's Astra and Britain's Zeneca in 1999.
By Jenny Marra, Press Officer 01382 344910 j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk