On Wednesday 28 May, the eve of the opening of her international exhibition tour at the city's Millennium Galleries, fashion icon Vivienne Westwood held an exclusive audience at Sheffield Hallam University.

The grand-dame of fashion performed her manifesto, Active Resistance to Propaganda, which she states 'penetrates to the root of the human predicament and offers the underlying solution', to an audience of 500, alongside 26 local students and staff. The manifesto places culture at the heart of resistance to, what Westwood views as, the destructive and levelling effect of consumer-culture, and was the first performance ever to be staged outside London in the UK.

Dame Westwood praised Sheffield's thriving cultural scene during her visit and was impressed by Sheffield and commended the city's commitment to culture. She said: 'That Sheffield is trying to achieve this cultural life is very important... I really believe in [it].'

Westwood urged Sheffield Hallam students to take up the mantle of resistance, encouraging them to take on the debate and take action. She particularly emphasised the role of culture and resistance in tackling 'the ecological disaster that threatens us'.

The visit marked the launch of Sheffield Hallam University's fashion degree, the first in the city. The new BA (Honours) Fashion Design will place specific emphasis on creativity and ideas; completing the University's creative portfolio and demonstrating its continued commitment to the growth of culture in Sheffield

Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Sheffield Hallam, John Palmer, said: 'This was one of the most eagerly awaited events in our celebrity guest programme, particularly in light of the launch of our first fashion course. Vivienne did not disappoint a packed house. The delivery of her manifesto was an invigorating piece of theatre in its own right and carried a thought provoking message about what we should and shouldn't be prepared to accept.'

The event was part of Vivienne's visit to Sheffield bringing her world renowned V&A exhibition, a retrospective of her work, to Museums Sheffield: Millennium Gallery from 29 May to 21 September. To find out more about the manifesto, visit www.activeresistance.co.uk.

For more information about the Vivienne Westwood exhibition at Museums Sheffield: Millennium Gallery, visit www.museums-sheffield.org.uk.

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