Honorary graduates

2006

Ms Vanessa Denza MBE

HonDDes in recognition of her support for fashion, textiles and business graduates.

Vanessa DenzaPlaying her part in ensuring that many international fashion brands and retailers are populated by British creative professionals, Vanessa runs Denza International Ltd, a recruitment consultancy for the fashion industry.

Having trained in Paris, Italy, New York and London, Vanessa became a buyer for the 21 Shop in Woollands, London – the fashion forward boutique of the 60s – and helped launch the careers of leading names like Foale Tuffin, Mary Quant, Jean Muir, Ossie Clark and Alice Pollock.

After a spell as a Fashion Co-ordinator for Wallis Shops, she started her own business – first the Vanessa Frye stores and then the Vanessa Denza Consultancy and Buying Office. Her success in finding new designers – underpinned by her links with fashion colleges – developed into the recruitment side of Denza International Ltd, founded in 1988.

In 1989 she co-founded Graduate Fashion Week, which promotes the cream of new British design talent. She has contributed tirelessly to fashion courses, helping place graduates in their first jobs and giving generously of her time to their careers. She is particularly supportive of NTU’s postgraduate course developments. Vanessa received the MBE in 2004 for services to the British fashion industry.