The pioneering British fashion designer.
Dame Zandra Rhodes is a pioneering British fashion designer whose bold use of vibrant colours, eccentric patterns, and innovative textile designs has made her a global fashion icon for over five decades. Born on September 19, 1940, in Kent, England, Rhodes was heavily influenced by her artistic upbringing—her mother was a fitter for a Paris fashion house and later a professor at Medway College of Art, where Zandra also studied textiles. She emerged as a defining figure in fashion in the late 1960s and 1970s, dressing celebrities such as Freddie Mercury, Diana Ross, and Princess Diana.
Known for her outlandish personal style—her trademark pink hair and theatrical makeup—Zandra has never shied away from pushing the boundaries of fashion. Her designs have been exhibited in leading museums, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Throughout her career, she has stayed true to her fearless, avant-garde approach, making her one of the most influential and beloved figures in contemporary fashion. In 2019, Zandra was named a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to fashion and textiles.
What’s the best lesson you have learned from your parents?
My mother’s motto: “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Till your good is better and your better is best.”
What’s the best life lesson you have learned?
Never give up! Face life’s challenges head-on and keep striving forward.
What is a principle or philosophy that you live by, and how does it guide your daily decisions and long-term goals?
Living life in colour! I live my life in colour through what I wear, design, the fabulous friends I spend my time with, the places I visit, and the experiences I say yes to.
What’s your most treasured item, and why?
A yellow evening coat in wool felt, full-length with a circular skirt from my first 1969 collection, The Knitted Circle. Diana Vreeland debuted this coat on Natalie Wood in US Vogue, and my career took off on an exciting adventure from there!
As an artist and designer, how do you stay inspired and continue to evolve after so many decades in the industry?
Spending time with my wonderful friends, like the sculptor and jewellery designer Andrew Logan, and traveling around the world to new places. When I am traveling, I try to draw in my sketchbook every day. Travel has inspired many of my hero prints, such as Lilies, which was inspired by a trip to Japan, and Uluru, which was inspired by a visit to Ayers Rock/Uluru in the centre of Australia.
Your designs are known for their vivid colours and fearless patterns—how does your personal style reflect your outlook on life?
Be bold, fearless, and authentic.
How has the fashion industry changed since you first started, and how do you think it will evolve in the next decade?
The one constant in fashion is change. It is difficult to predict. I hope that digital techniques will not supersede handcrafted techniques, and that design will become more sustainable.
What advice would you give to young designers or creatives who want to make their mark in the fashion world?
Always dress fabulously in a way that expresses your style and makes you feel confident. You never know who you might meet! First impressions count, and you are representing your brand at all times.
Could you share an example of a challenge you faced in your career and how you overcame it?
When I was at a lower point in my career in fashion, my best friend Andrew Logan encouraged me to found the Fashion and Textile Museum in London. This was a major success— to this day, the museum showcases some of the best in international fashion and textile design. As a creative, you have to be adaptable and able to pivot.
When you reflect on your incredible career, what legacy do you hope to leave behind for future generations of designers?
I want to be known for perfecting the art of print as a statement that can bring garments to life and make them sing! In 2020, I formed the Zandra Rhodes Foundation when I realised that my vast collection of original garments, drawings, and printed textile lengths were sitting in storage, unseen by anyone beyond my studio team. Through my Foundation and donations to major museums across the world, I intend to leave my work in printed textiles and fashion as a fabulous learning resource for future generations.
Over the years, you have styled some of the most iconic figures in fashion, music, and royalty, from Freddie Mercury to Princess Diana, Cher, and Diana Ross. Can you share how collaborating with such high-profile individuals has influenced your creative process, and do you approach designing for celebrities differently compared to others? Did you become friends with any?
Collaborating with fabulous music stars such as Freddie Mercury and Diana Ross was wonderful, as they had such an enhanced understanding of how clothes can be used to make a statement. Dressing Princess Diana was a huge honour, and I treasure my time spent with her—she was an incredibly kind and inspiring woman. I don’t approach dressing celebrities differently from dressing anyone else; it is always about designing clothes to make people feel marvellous, whoever they are!
