Ultimo’s Michelle Mone OBE Receives Honorary Degree

Today, the University of Hertfordshire awards Michelle Mone OBE, founder of MJM International and Ultimo an Honorary Doctor of Arts in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the development of entrepreneurship in the fashion industry and for her tremendous achievements as a businesswoman.

At the ceremony on Thursday 18 November – held in the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban – Michelle received her Honorary Degree alongside 4300 new graduates celebrating academic success with their proud parents and friends.

Commenting on receiving her Award, Michelle Mone, 39, said:

“I am absolutely thrilled to be here today to accept this Honour.  It’s incredibly humbling, particularly coming from such an esteemed institution as the University of Hertfordshire. It’s been a fantastic day and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself.”

Addressing the graduates she added:

“Throughout my 14 year career in business, building up MJM International and the Ultimo brand, I’ve remained committed to supporting young aspiring entrepreneurs and enterprise, because I’m passionate about business, about raising aspirations and about building a stronger, enterprise-led economy.

“So it’s with great pleasure that I accept this degree and watch all of you – the UK’s next generation of entrepreneurs – graduate. Your degree will have given you all the essential skills to go forward to become successful business leaders and marketeers. Good luck to you all!”

This week, the University will also show its appreciation to fifteen other pillars of the community by awarding Honorary Degrees and Fellowships for outstanding contribution to academic disciplines, charity, professions or public service – presented by Lord Salisbury, Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire; Mrs Jo Connell, Pro Chancellor of the University and Professor Tim Wilson, Vice-Chancellor.

Since launching Ultimo back in 1999 Michelle has grown her business, MJM International to become one of the UK’s most prominent and successful lingerie companies. Michelle is also a committed supporter of young budding entrepreneurs and sits on the board of the PSYBT.

Michelle showcases Ultimo Couture!

Michelle Mone OBE has been giving us a sneak preview of Ultimo Couture gowns that are set to hit the high street in 2011!

As spotted at the Marion Rose Ball for Children with leukemia, and the Pride of Britain Awards, Michelle looks fantastic in some of our beautiful new evening gowns.  These are the first Ultimo creations of our Creative Director Brian Rennie who began earlier this year.

Brian, 44, is one of the world’s top fashion designers and was previously the designer behind legendary fashion house Escada. Brian spent 20 years with the luxury brand and whilst there created dresses for some of the world’s most beautiful women including Beyoncé, J-Lo, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Jerry Hall.

Born in Dundee, Brian studied at Ravensbourne College of Art and Design in Kent, before completing a Master of Design degree at the Royal College of Art in London. Brian joins MJM International this week and will head up the design and product development of all Ultimo Couture collections.

Brian Rennie said;

“It’s really exciting to be part of the Ultimo Team. With my 25 years of experience in luxury fashion and Michelle’s amazing retail and business acumen, I really believe we can turn Ultimo Couture into one of the biggest womenswear brands in the country.

“The most exciting element of my new role is the fact that the dresses will be available on the high street. Each design will be every inch as exquisite as the dresses I’ve created for the likes of Mariah Carey, Halle Berry and Kim Basinger, but just without the enormous price tag.

He added;

“Creating a collection of glamorous red carpet gowns that are both accessible and affordable is an exciting concept and I can’t wait to get to work on the next collection.”

The stunning new collection is coming to a store near you in the New Year.  Keep checking back for all updates on the new collection!

Related Articles

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• Michelle Mone (no1magazine.co.uk)

Michelle Mone OBE on a mission to find 24 ‘Real Women’ to pose in Ultimo Undies!

Michelle Mone OBE is on a mission to challenge today’s image-obsessed society by putting 24 ‘real women’ in her forthcoming lingerie campaign! Michelle has launched her hunt today, Sunday 7 November, and is calling on women ‘of all ages (over 18), shapes, sizes and backgrounds’ to apply.

The 24 lucky ladies who make the cut will be taken to London for a full-scale fashion shoot with the Ultimo ‘glam team’, including photographer Dan Kennedy – who shot Ultimo models Mel B, Sarah Harding and Rachel Hunter – hair and make-up artists, stylist and lighting experts. The winners will also walk away with 6 months worth of Ultimo lingerie.

Michelle, 38, who bravely stripped off for her own lingerie shoot last month, said;

“Celebrating our customers by putting them in one of our campaigns is a bold move, but it feels right and I’m so excited about it. Over the years Ultimo has become synonymous with celebrity campaigns, but our product is designed specifically for real women, so this is 100% the right thing to do and I can confirm that we won’t be appointing a celebrity this season, which is a first for us in our ten year history!

“Fashion can be very cyclical, but more and more we’re seeing ‘real’ women appearing in campaigns and on the catwalk and I really hope it’s a trend that is going to stay. I’m just happy to be doing my bit for real women and can’t wait to announce our 24 lucky winners.”

Michelle’s firm ran a similar campaign earlier in the year for the Ultimo Couture womenswear collection, but this is the first time real women will be used to model Ultimo lingerie, which is available from Debenhams stores in sizes up to a G cup. Previous models for the brand have included Kelly Brook, Mel B, Sarah Harding and Helena Christensen.

Michelle added;

“While I think it’s wonderful to celebrate the curvier woman, I think you also have to balance the fact that there’s a lot of women out there on the smaller side too who are just as ‘real’ and healthy, so we’re looking for women who are anything from a size 6 through to a size 20. We’re also specifically looking for women who really deserve some pampering and to be spoilt for the day.”

Women can apply now online via the Ultimo website, so log on now for your chance to be an Utimo model!