King's College London - Lions on the catwalk

Students at King's College London will don "designer" dress at their graduation ceremonies this summer after fashion designer Vivienne Westwood was recruited to design the college's academic attire.

Last year, King's was granted degree-awarding powers, having previously awarded degrees from the University of London.

King's students will wear the new garb to graduation ceremonies this month. The 20 robes, featuring a lion button on each shoulder, were unveiled at a catwalk show last week.

Brian Salter, deputy college secretary and academic registrar, said: "One of the more noticeable impacts of securing its own degree-awarding powers was the need for the college to design its own academic dress.

"The college is most grateful to Vivienne Westwood for the design and also to Ede & Ravenscroft for their expertise in the production of the academic dress."