One of the most influential and exciting fashion designers of our time, with a career of 56 years in the international fashion industry, Dame Zandra grew-up in Chatham. She studied print design at the Medway College of Art, going on to graduate from the Royal College of Art with a first class honours degree in printed textile design.

She established the Fulham Road Clothes Shop in 1967, backed by Vanessa Redgrave, which gave much publicity to her designs. But her reputation really grew when she moved to America. With the support of the US publication American Vogue, Dame Zandra went on to design and make clothes for the American fashion market in New York. In 1969, she established her fashion house, and opened a studio in West London, releasing her first solo collection, which drew significant attention from both American and British fashion industries. Her first UK fashion show was in 1971 and she has gone on to exhibit at London Fashion Week over 70 times.

During the 1970s she became central to the British punk movement, earning her the nickname The Princess of Punk. Her reputation became world famous, and she was asked to design for many rock icons including Brian May, Freddie Mercury and Marc Bolan.

As one of Britain's most successful fashion designers, Dame Zandra has continued to develop her design of textiles for interiors, furniture and homewares. In 2003, she founded the Fashion and Textile Museum in London and, in 2014, was made a Dame for services to British fashion and textiles industries. She also formed the Zandra Rhodes Foundation in 2020, which not only supports students and future generations of designers but is also undertaking cataloguing over 50 years of her designs, textiles and memorabilia. Dame Zandra is also a long-time advocate of ‘make do and mend’, and emerging fashion alternatives to inform sustainability.

Professor Rama Thirunamachandran OBE DL, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Canterbury Christ Church University, said: “We are delighted to welcome Dame Zandra Rhodes to our University community in recognition and celebration of her achievements within fashion. For over 50 years her iconic designs have been at the forefront of international fashion, showcasing UK talent. Her work and reputation have inspired generations of young designers. To honour her incredible influence across modern day culture, back where it all began in Medway, and as part of Medway Culture Fest 24, will hopefully continue to inspire future generations to embrace their creative talents, take the opportunities and make their mark on the world.”

At the ceremony Dame Zandra said she was “very proud to be receiving this award” and fondly remembered her time growing-up in Medway, saying she “believes” in the town and that “we can go forward and make sure the nation knows about us”.

She also gave advice to young people starting out in the fashion and creative industries, saying: “Whatever happens you’ve got to try and believe in yourself, and surround yourself with encouraging friends. It does take a lot of hard work, but don’t give-up and make sure that British design goes forward.”

The award was part of Medway Culture Fest 24, a year-long programme of cultural events and activities celebrating Medway’s creativity and heritage, and the transformational role culture has played in regenerating the area over the last forty years.

At the ceremony at Rochester Cathedral on Wednesday 24 July all three Universities at Medway, Canterbury Christ Church University, University of Greenwich and University of Kent, came together to award honours to public figures who have made outstanding contributions to creativity and culture in Medway. Celebrating the work of creatives across literature, fashion design, heritage and cultural diversity, as well as those who have made it possible for Medway creatives and cultural organisations to thrive.