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Two legends of the British art and fashion scene have spoken about the “thrill” of sharing their archives with ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ Leicester (ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥). 

Sculptor Andrew Logan and fashion design Zandra Rhodes met at a screening of documentary The British Guide to Showing Off at Phoenix cinema in Leicester. 

The film, originally released in 2011, tells the story of the Alternative Miss World competition, the glittering, long-running pageant set up by Andrew, creating a space for people to freely express their gender and sexuality without prejudice. 

And, ahead of a special screening and Q&A at the Leicester cinema, Andrew and Dame Zandra – both recipients of honorary degrees at ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ – spoke about their decisions to donate their vast, colourful creative archives to ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥. 

The many boxes of sketches, paintings, designs and memorabilia from both artists are now at the university’s Special Collections department, run by archivist Katharine Short. 

Andew said: “Giving my archive to the university for a new generation to explore was thrilling, actually, for me. 

“I’ve led a really interesting life and I documented lots; seventy boxes, I think it was, diaries, slides, writing – everything, really.” 

Last year, as part of ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ Pride, the university’s month-long celebrations to mark LGBT+ History Month, an exhibition of articles from Andrew’s archive was held in The Gallery, ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥’s art events space. 

Dame Zandra, who accepted an Honorary Doctor of Arts from ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ in 2023, said the university was planning an event to show off her archive soon. 

She said: “I really think this shows the strength of De Montfort, that they value things like our archives and they see the value it will have for students.  

“And it’s great that it’s here in the middle of the country. Too much goes to London and can get forgotten but here in Leicester it becomes a focal point.” 

Dame Zandra also praised the university’s partnership with Curve theatre, in Leicester, which sees students given opportunities to get involved with theatrical productions each year. 

 She said: “I think ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ is such a positive university, I can’t think of another university like it for that close working with the city and community.”