The University of the Arts in London will bestow an honorary fellowship to British footwear designer Emma Hope on July 16.

The award, given at the university’s annual graduation ceremony, is for Hope’s contribution to the fashion industry. She graduated from Cordwainers College in 1984, before it became part of the London College of Fashion, one of the six constituent colleges of the University of the Arts.

“It’s a very nice opportunity to say thank you to all the teachers and the unseen heroes at Cordwainers — men in white coats who taught the technical basics such as lasting, cutting leather and heels, all practical skills that have helped make British shoe designers so successful internationally,” said the designer.

Hope joins a list of fashion leaders to receive honorary titles from the university that includes Suzy Menkes, Giorgio Armani, Alexander McQueen, as well as British shoe luminaries Jimmy Choo and Linda Bennett, founder of L.K Bennett.