The Academy of Art's (AAU) School of Interior Architecture & Design has bestowed an honorary doctorate degree on the noted Irish-born interior designer Clodagh.
The award was given to Clodagh by AAU president Dr. Elisa Stephens at a special presentation for students at AAU on Tuesday, May 14. Clodagh then spoke about her career in design and about emerging opportunities that she sees in the field.
Clearly moved and wiping away a tear, Clodagh said, “As I had no formal education in design, this honorary doctorate means the world to me.”
In presenting the degree, Dr. Stephens cited Clodagh’s consistent commitment to design excellence through her work and through her industry leadership and philanthropy. “Clodagh provides us all with consistent inspiration, and her personal grace and style is a worthy reminder of what greatness in design is all about.”
School of Interior Architecture & Design Executive Director Laura Blumenfeld said that she was especially pleased that Clodagh was selected for an honorary doctorate due to her equal commitments to nurturing and championing emerging design talent and to promoting education in the developing world through ClodaghCares.org. The Thorntree Project in Kenya is but one of the projects to which she lends hands-on support.
Based in New York City, Clodagh has been named to the AD 100, Architectural Digest’s list of the top world’s top architects and interior designers and The Robb Report’s Top 40 list of leading designers. Clodagh’s work includes numerous noted hospitality, corporate and residential commissions, and she has designed much-heralded collections of furniture—represented in New York by the noted dealer Dennis Miller—textiles, rugs and carpeting, lighting and packaging.
