ICONIC fashion designer and environmental activist Dame Vivienne Westwood is to visit south Cumbria for a university talk.
The University of Cumbria will welcome Dame Vivienne to its Ambleside campus on June 20 to give a talk and take part in a question and answer session at the university's Institute of Leadership and Sustainability for the the Exploring and Challenging Ideas on Sustainable Leadership, Climate and Social Change event.
The university's vice-chancellor, Professor Julie Mennell, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Vivienne to our Ambleside campus in the heart of the Lake District and offer her an ideal platform to deliver her thoughts and inspirations on subjects close to her heart and ours.
“In our 10th anniversary year we could not think of a better place than Cumbria and the University of Cumbria for this kind of debate. We’re sure Vivienne will spark a stimulating and exhilarating discussion as she is exactly the kind of thought-provoking guest we love to welcome at our university.”
Dame Vivienne is looking forward to talking about steps she believes everyone can take to help make a difference to one’s own life and the future of locations such as the Lake District.
She said: “My fashion and my activism support each other; they are driven by the same motor. I want a better world. I say 'Buy less, choose well, make it last.' Quality not quantity. I use my green politics for graphics on clothes and my shows carry my activism themes. I use every opportunity to open my mouth. I try to select, analyse and concentrate the most important information so people can cut through lies and propaganda and see what is real.
“People ask, what can I do to help save the environment? In all my time as an activist, I’ve never had a satisfactory answer to give: Inform yourself, talk to your friends, support the NGOs, save a plastic bag; every one of your decisions count. This is the answer, but doesn’t go very far to solving the total problem which is overwhelming. Now we realise the answer: Switch to a green energy supplier.”
Dame Vivienne will appear from 5.30pm to 7pm in the Percival Lecture Theatre, in Ambleside.
The event will be open to all with a percentage of tickets reserved for students. Tickets will be free and will be released shortly.
To register an interest, email rsvpevents@cumbria.ac.uk
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