Honorary degree for design guru

Wayne Hemingway is the son of a Native American wrestler

Fashion designer Wayne Hemingway is to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Wolverhampton.

The co-founder of the Red or Dead label, originally from Lancashire, is being recognised for his contribution to the field of social design.

He turned his attention to architecture at the start of the decade, joining forces with builders Wimpey on an acclaimed Tyneside housing project.

Mr Hemingway will receive his degree at a special ceremony on Tuesday evening.

Social design

The father-of-four linked up with Wimpey to help design the company's acclaimed Staithes South Bank, a mass-market housing project in Gateshead.

The designer, son of Native American professional wrestler Billy Two Rivers, was born in 1961 in the Lancashire seaside town of Morecambe.

He started selling clothes in London's Camden Market, opening his first Red or Dead store in 1983 with wife and business partner Gerardine.

The couple sold the company in a multi-million pound deal in 1999 and went on to set up Hemingway Design, which specializes in affordable and social design.

Mr Hemingway will receive his doctorate from the University's School of Art and Design at 1830 BST.