Fashion Designer Anne Tyrrell MBE will visit the University for the Creative Arts at Rochester this Friday.

She will meet fashion students and staff and open a new state-of-the-art pattern cutting suite at the University.

The visit to UCA Rochester follows Anne’s honorary award presented at Rochester Cathedral in July.

The new Centre for Pattern Cutting will include a Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) studio surrounded by classic cutting tables, steam presses and sewing machines. This will give UCA Rochester facilities only shared by two other fashion departments in the country.

Fashion Course Leader Thomass Atkinson said: “We are absolutely delighted that Anne is coming to visit us. Anne has tirelessly devoted her energy and expertise to fashion education in the UK and has been a supporter and confidante to fashion at Rochester for some years.”

Anne was Design Director of John Marks for 25 years. In 1980 she won the Womenswear Designer of the year Award and in 1981 gave commentary for ITV’s coverage of the Royal Wedding Day.

In 1982 Anne set up her own London based Design Consultancy. Her clients have included Nike, View From, House of Fraser, John Lewis, Next Retail, The Limited, Virgin, Royal Ascot, The Orient Express, JCB British Rail and London Underground.

In 1992 she became a member of the British Fashion Council. After two terms as Vice Chairman, of the British Fashion Council, assisting with British Fashion Week, Anne was asked to take up chairmanship of the renamed BFC Colleges Council in 2007.

Earlier this month, Anne Tyrrell was awarded the MBE on the Queens Honours List for services to design.