Dress Code: Zandra Rhodes, designer

News in pictures
News in pictures
On Facebook
Life & Style blogs

HIV orphans in Thailand prepare for the future

In Baan Gerda, a community for HIV infected or affected youngsters in Northern Thailand, a group of ...

Online House Hunter: England’s most romantic places

Our Online House Hunter goes in search of romance this Valentine's Day...

Online House Hunter: Rugby – a Dickens of a town

Charles Dickens didn't think much of the railway town of Rugby in Warwickshire, calling it Mugby. Bu...


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.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Career Services

Day In a Page

Apple admits it has a human rights problem

Apple admits it has a human rights problem

After years of complaints and workers' suicides in China the technology giant faces up to the human cost of its gadgets
Peter Moore: 'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'

Peter Moore interview

'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'
Sellafield faces nuclear option as overspending threatens plant's future

Sellafield faces nuclear option

Overspending threatens plant's future
Israel blames Iran for embassy bomb attacks

Israel blames Iran for embassy bomb attacks

Tehran rejects Netanyahu's 'lies' after diplomats in India and Georgia targeted
Former manager enjoying Apoel crack at the big time

Tommy Cassidy interview

Former manager enjoying Apoel crack at the big time
James Lawton: Patience may not be a virtue this time, Roman – Andre Villas-Boas looks all at sea

James Lawton: AVB looks all at sea

Abramovich's visits to training reinforce the idea of a coach feeling pressure from above and below
The 10 Best sledges

The 10 Best sledges

Not all of them require snow...
Procrastination: Not now – I'm busy

Procrastination: Not now – I'm busy

Confronting the real reasons for puttting things off can help us beat it
Fun in the sunset years

Fun in the sunset years

A new movie follows retirees moving to India for low-cost care and a culture of respect for the elderly. For many Britons, it's already a reality
Picture preview: Lucian Freud drawings

Lucian Freud drawings

Picture preview
Silent revolution at the Baftas as the French take top awards

Silent revolution at the Baftas

The Artist wins in seven categories, with Meryl Streep the other big success story
Whitney Houston: The diva who had – and lost – it all

The diva who had – and lost – it all

Nick Hasted charts the highs and lows of Whitney Houston's life
How Picasso won over (some of) the British

How Picasso won over (some of) the British

Winston Churchill and Evelyn Waugh hated his work, but Picasso provided inspiration for a whole generation of UK artists
Topshop: A Decade Of Design

Topshop: A Decade Of Design

When London Fashion Week starts on Friday, Topshop will celebrate 10 years backing its brightest young stars
John Prescott: 'My wife thought I'd just retire, but I'm not a slippers man'

'My wife thought I'd just retire, but I'm not a slippers man'

At 73, John Prescott isn't mellowing. In fact he's taking a shot at becoming a police commissioner