Betty Jackson

Internationally renowned fashion designer

Graduated in 1971

Betty Jackson is an internationally renowned fashion designer who is well known for developing bold and imaginative textile prints and translating them onto clothing.

After studying BA (Hons) Fashion under Zandra Rhodes at Birmingham School of Art (now part of Birmingham Institute of Art and Design), Betty kick-started her career with a travel bursary from the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) in 1971, scooping the British Designer of the Year award in 1985 and an MBE in 1987. More recently she has received a CBE for services to the fashion industry. She may be seen as something of a fashion industry veteran, but her sought-after designs still retain a reputation for being cutting edge.

Betty first launched her own collection in 1981. She introduced the Betty Jackson for Men collection in 1986, and opened her flagship shop in London's Brompton Road five years later.

Betty is famed for her graceful and innovative, yet eminently wearable designs, evidenced in 2000 by her commission to design Marks & Spencer's 'Autograph' collection, and more recently by her Betty Jackson Black range for Debenhams. She currently spends her time working with her design team at Debenhams plus a number of other consultancies in design and education.

In 2008, she was asked by the Lord Chief Justice for help with modernising the gowns of the civil judiciary, and she also designed costumes for the characters Eddy and Patsy in the 1990s hit TV comedy 'Absolutely Fabulous'.