Dress Code: Zandra Rhodes, designer

Monday 03 August 2009 00:00 BST
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What are you wearing right now?

This minute in the day, I am wearing my M&S black-and-white rose satin jumpsuit with matching blouse and lots of jewellery, bracelets, rings and brooches. For the evening, a printed corset dress, or a chiffon top over flared trousers, with Zandra Rhodes platforms from the Strutt collection.

Who's your style icon?

Me! Otherwise what am I designing for?

What can't you live without?

I need my eye make-up, my trademark pink hair and lots of beautiful Andrew Logan jewellery.

Describe the best outfit you have ever worn.

My gold, pleated Elizabethan outfit with a pannier skirt, which I wore when I flew to Australia to open a show for Kerry Packer [the late Australian media mogul]. Or the low-backed beaded dress which I had on when I did 'This is your Life.'

What's in your wardrobe?

Jeans hand drawn by me in gold, Zandra Rhodes printed T-shirts and various favourite pieces from many of my different collections!

What is in your make-up bag?

Zandra Rhodes MAC eyeshadow in bright turquoise, Zandra Rhodes MAC lipstick in Morange, a soft black eyeliner pencil and some blusher.

If you could live in any decade, style-wise which would it be?

Either now or the Seventies. Any time when I can blossom in all my floral textile prints. I like my clothes to have a flowing silhouette.

How often do you look in the mirror?

Twice a day properly. In the morning before work and around 7pm when I am getting ready to go out. I do look in the mirror during the day for my work to see how a textile drapes around the body or how a new design would look when printed. But this is when I am designing, not being vain!

Any fashion confessions you want to share with us?

My designs look wonderful on all sorts of different people. I especially enjoy dressing larger people and knowing I can make them feel and look fabulous! This is why I love designing for Opera – for all the wonderful larger-than-life people that work in that industry.

What's your secret style tip?

Do everything with style, confidence and panache. Never be a victim! Find the things about yourself that you think are best and play these up. I feel good when my hair is pink, and I am always dramatically made up. I love wonderful patterns that flow around my body, and disguise it, such as a chiffon kaftan.

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