That’s Not My Age Podcast Special Episode: Dame Zandra Rhodes
Zandra Rhodes. Photograph: Richard Dowker
We are busy recording series two of That’s Not My Age: The Podcast, and as a delicious taster of what’s to come I am delighted to introduce cult fashion designer Dame Zandra Rhodes. In celebration of an impressive, five-decade career, the Fashion and Textile Museum has just opened Zandra Rhodes: 50 Years of Fabulous. A brilliant retrospective of the designer’s work, highlighting more than 50 key looks, original textiles and never-seen-before garments and accessories. The Fabulous Years began in 1969, when, after studying printed textile design Zandra graduated from the Royal College of Art. Considered too ‘far out’ by fashion buyers, undeterred she launched her own eponymous label and soon her signature aesthetic caught on. Worn by rock stars and royalty, her dresses epitomised the bohemian, softly flowing silhouette of the 1970s – and feel incredibly au courant, today. In 2017, Pierpaolo Piccioli at Valentino requested a number of Zandra Rhodes hand-drawn prints for spring/summer. ‘I love the fact that he wanted to use me for his first solo collection,’ Zandra said at the time, ‘It’s very feminine, it’s very gorgeous, I feel very honoured.’
We meet in the library of Zandra’s penthouse apartment, piled high with beautiful books, photographs and mementoes. The bubblegum pink bob, bold blue eyeshadow, patterned kimono top and super-sized jewellery, are unmistakable. Her singular style matches the colourful location above the fuchsia and terracotta Fashion and Textile Museum AND looks even better in real life. I was concerned that having literally just stepped off an overnight flight from New York, the 79-year-old might be exhausted. Turns out she has more energy than I do. With no plans to retire, and a strong determination to keep on creating, we discuss Zandra Rhodes latest projects: curating the exhibition, appearing on Celebrity Masterchef and collaborating with IKEA, for starters. Oh, and her fondness for throwing dinner parties and making bread and butter pudding. Stay tuned, Zandra’s best advice comes right at the very end…
Thank you for listening. It’s great to be back, sort of (more podcasts coming towards the end of October).
Zandra Rhodes: 50 Years of Fabulous is on at the Fashion & Textiles Museum until 26 January 2020 BOOK TICKETS HERE. Zandra enjoys reading Nigella Lawson’s cookbooks in the evening, and always wears her own designs. An edit of her latest collection is available at Matchesfashion.com.
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PODCAST CREDITS
Producer and audio engineer: Linda Ara-Tebaldi
Host: Alyson Walsh
Guest: Zandra Rhodes
Music: David Schweitzer
Artwork: Ayumi Takahashi
Digital technician: Tom Hole at Stirtingale
Coordinator: Helen Johnson
Discussion (11 Comments)
Thanks, Isobel. Zandra was lovely, warm and friendly. She made me feel right at home. I really enjoyed our chat.
Julia Neall says:
great thanks for this Alyson shes the same age as my mother and can still remeber the clothes she wore influenced by Zandra in the 70s. Going to see the exhibition tomorrow as in Lonodn. Love the Fashion and Textile museum.
Ingrid says:
Lovely interview very relaxed and friendly. I love her designs and their unique edge. Glad to hear how she is still creating and her collaborations.
Mrs Tonia says:
Looking forward to seeing this exhibition when I finally get inside The Fashion and Textile museum which Zandra Rhodes created in Bermondsey. Alyson you’ve shown me just where it is so I know it’s a short walk from the new London Bridge station.
No excuses to not go and will add to my cultural to-do list for the Autumn. So much to see at both Tate’s and Hayward Bridget Riley and Anthony Gormley at RA and Tim Walker at V and A. Plus just opened Kiki Smith at Modern Art Oxford. Luckily these on all Autumn into next year.
In the meantime will listen to your podcast ZR interview on a train journey. And look forward to your unveiling the new subjects in due course.
By the way my late mother owned one or two Zandra Rhodes outfits in her day. Plus my young step mother number one got married to my father wearing one of these printed chiffon dresses too. Takes one back.
Never my style too expensive, too intricate in their virtuosity. I think my sister took over my mother’s dresses at a later date.Laura says:
Brilliant interview and hope to get to the show. My mother had quite a few of her dresses which I remember as being absolutely fab. I just love her attitude to life as well – so positive
I really enjoyed listening to this new podcast of yours.
Many chuckles.
Admirably energetic is Zandra Rhodes.
Do please print her maxim at the end about Good Better Best. And trying ones best.
Worth knowing those words and applying this old fashioned wisdom.Grace B says:
I listened to this interview this morning. Loved it. Had no idea that she has an exhibition of her work so I will be going along. Loved that she is still working hard doing what she loves and her work is timeless. She is the first woman I know of to rock Fushia pink hair back in a time when this would have been bizarre.
Looking forward to the next interview.
Deborah says:
She is so iconic. I love listening to interviews with people you have heard of for so many years and have a perception of what they might be like ….. and then they are not! She is so much more down to earth than her signature bold self. Loved the conversation.
Bernadette 
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Gosh, you’re so good at this, Alyson! Another relaxed, friendly, personal interview with a fascinating woman… and doesn’t Zandra sound lovely and warm?! Of course, now I not only want a pink shirt, but it’s going to have to be in a beautiful print. I’m hitting the op-shops tomorrow!!