A Conversation with Dame Zandra Rhodes

A Conversation with Dame Zandra Rhodes

Dame Zandra Rhodes has spent her life rallying against what was expected of her, both as a designer and a woman. Often perceived as too bold for the mainstream, she fought for creativity and individuality, and continues to achieve both in everything she does.

In her new memoir, Zandra shares her life story for the first time. Told through a variety of mementos collected over the years, it is a vibrant account filled with rockstars and royalty, of life-changing friendships and poignant reflections on her personal triumphs and tragedies, as well as the fears, sacrifices and pressures that come with being an era-defining designer.

From a road trip to Rome with Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell, to opening her first store thanks to a kind loan from Vanessa Redgrave while Joe Cocker sang With a Little Help From My Friends; from judging Andrew Logan's Alternative Miss World with David Hockney and Angie Bowie when the crowds were so vast that even David Bowie couldn't gain access, to hanging out with Andy Warhol and Halston in New York's Studio 54, from friendships with legends such as Karl Lagerfeld and Diana Vreeland to designing for everyone from Freddie Mercury to Diana Ross, from Princess Diana to Barbra Streisand. Iconic gives the reader a sense of being right there with Dame Zandra through all the highs and lows of her extraordinary life.

Capturing the rich and unexpected life of a British icon, this memoir explores what it is to defy the norm.

Following the conversation there will be a chance to purchase signed copies of Iconic.

Format

Guests are invited to join us from 4.45pm on Wednesday 28 August for refreshments before taking a seat for the Conversation by 5pm.

The Conversation will take place in Flitcroft, in The Mews conference centre at Cumberland Lodge. A short drinks reception will follow from 6.30pm to 7pm and tickets include a glass of wine, prosecco or soft drink.

There is an optional tour of Cumberland Lodge starting at 4pm, should you wish to join, please meet at reception in the Main Lodge for 3:50pm. The tour is included in the ticket price.

Tickets to attend the Conversation are available for £20 per person.

All proceeds will help to cover the running costs of the event and support our wider charitable work.

For any enquiries please contact the MK Wolseley on 01784 497794 or email [email protected]

Dame Zandra Rhodes has been a leading figure of the fashion industry for over five decades, celebrating her 50th year in fashion in September 2019 with a retrospective exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London, which she founded.

Her skill as a print designer combined with an affinity for fine fabrics and colour has resulted in a signature aesthetic that is undeniably unique and continues to stand the test of time. She has dressed some of the world’s most stylish men and women from Freddie Mercury, Elizabeth Taylor and Diana Ross to Bianca Jagger, Debbie Harry and Princess Diana. She has also created costumes, winning an Emmy Award in the process. She has appeared in multiple television shows, from the cult series Absolutely Fabulous to Master Chef and The Real Marigold Hotel.

In 2015, she was made a Dame in recognition of her contribution to fashion and textiles.

Ella Alexander is a journalist and Harper’s Bazaar Contributing Editor. She has written about style, design and contemporary culture for leading titles including Vogue, the Independent, Glamour and Condé Nast Traveller.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Cumberland Lodge, Cumberland Lodge,, Windsor, United Kingdom