'A wonderful, fascinating, fun collection of memories and stories.' Shirley Bassey
'Dazzling from start to finish.' Joanna Lumley
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 this insightful 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 London 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 which was so packed that even David Bowie couldn't get in, 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 alongside 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.
'Zandra Rhodes has changed the course of fashion history.' Suzy Menkes, fashion journalist
'A vivid and compelling picture of the broader fashion landscape between 1960 and the present day. Anecdotes? The book is full of them.' The Times
'Dazzling from start to finish.' Joanna Lumley
In this insightful 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.
Full of poignant reflections and life lessons on achieving success while defying convention, Zandra takes the reader right alongside her as she recounts being inspired by her avant-garde mother to her time at the Royal College, from a road trip to Rome with Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell, to opening her first London store thanks to a kind loan from Vanessa Redgrave with Joe Cocker singing With a Little Help From My Friends, from hanging out with Andy Warhol and Halston in New York's Studio 54 to lifelong friendships with legends such as Karl Lagerfeld and Diana Vreeland; from designing for everyone from Freddie Mercury to Diana Ross, Princess Diana to Barbra Streisand to founding the Fashion and Textile Museum.
Capturing the rich and unexpected life of a British icon, this memoir explores what it is to defy the norm.
'Zandra Rhodes has changed the course of fashion history.' Suzy Menkes, fashion journalist
