zandra rhodes

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ZANDRA RHODESSew meets

AT AN EXCLUSIVE VISIT TO HER PENTHOUSE, THE ICONIC FASHION DESIGNERSHARES THE INSPIRATION BEHIND HER NEW FABRIC COLLECTION, LACE MOUNTAIN

Zandra Rhodes feature_Layout 1 27/11/2014 11:22

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When the day arrived, we hopped on a train to Bermondsey, London to where Zandra livesabove the Fashion and Textile Museum, whichshe founded in 2003. An unmissable buildingdesigned by Mexican architect RicardoLegorreta, its vibrant orange exterior seemed a fitting residence for the flamboyant designer.

As we stepped into what felt like a magicalcompartment inside the fashion icon’s mind, we were greeted by the Coats Crafts team andhanded a glass of Prosecco. The open space was a sensory explosion of colours and textures;every surface displayed some beautiful artefactreflecting a thousand shades, intermingled withexotic flowers, plants and other natural elements,including Zandra’s stone collection whichcontained a piece of the Berlin wall. “I don’tbelieve there’s such a thing as clashing,” Zandra told us.

The Lace MountainAfter mingling with the other guests, includingSew columnist and super stitcher Stuart Hillardwho had created a stunning quilt for the occasionusing Lace Mountain fabrics, it was time to meetthe lady herself. Despite her iconic status, Zandrawas warm and genuine, and eager to tell us abouther inspiration for her collection. “My favourite

When the Sew team was invited tomeet Dame Zandra Rhodes at herLondon penthouse for the launch ofher Lace Mountain fabric collectionfor FreeSpirit, we pinged an RSVP ofacceptance back immediately. A livinglegend of British fashion, Zandra isrecognised all over the world for hertrademark bobbed pink hair, bold blueeyeshadow and her outlandish printedtextiles that have been influencingglobal fashion for over 40 years. Andwe’d been offered two golden tickets to step inside the Princess of Punk’sdream factory for a day.

print is the one with the Lace Mountain itself,which is Ayers Rock in the middle of Australia;this is where it all started,” she told us. “I first wentthere in 1971 and they’d say ‘ah, that’s just AyersRock’, as it wasn’t such a big deal in those days.But I was lucky enough to go there and draw whatI saw. It has given me a good run for my money!

“Many of the motifs in my new fabric rangeare derived from my vast repertoire. Coats Craftshelped to adapt my ideas into prints that willmake up into fabulous quilts. I was pleased thatthey had a clear vision. I always like to find outwhere a company wants me to take a collection as I’m not a quilter and could go down totally thewrong path.”

Finding timeZandra was introduced to the world of fashion byher mother, a fitter for a Paris fashion house. “Mymother didn’t quilt, but in the holidays she eitherknitted or did petit point. Sadly I don’t get time todo much sewing now. I started a tapestry cushionyears ago, but it’s still only half finished. I thoughtI’d do it every time I had friends round, but I’dalways want to be doing something else. I’d quitelike to go back to the beginning, because you’refree to try all these things - all the restrictionscome later. I try to get myself away to think,

ZANDRARHODES

Sew meets

The designer strikes a pose for photographer Ant.

Editor Lorraine shares a joke with the fashion icon.


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To view the full Lace Mountain range and tofind a stockist, visit www.makeitcoats.com

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Lace Mountain byFREESPIRIT

Our top picks

but it gets harder and there are more and more pressures.”

After so many years in the industry, we wereeager to find out how Zandra feels about the ever-evolving digital side of design and branding.“I do sketches, I do not use software,” she explainspassionately. “I drew these designs of Australia inmy sketchbook, it was sunrise and freezing coldand I simply drew the rock. It developed as it didbecause, if you draw, you see things you don’tnotice otherwise. I’m sure it’s similar to how you get a piece of fabric and make the quilt. It leads you on, it’s inspiration! I find computersand email a distraction. Years ago, I could ignoremy mail, I could let it pile up. If it was a bill, I could ignore it. Now it builds up in front of you every day and it doesn’t necessarily meananything. I don’t know how people find the time for technology.”

To inspire, and beinspiredZandra’s talents do not stop at fashion and printedtextiles, with numerous collaborations with otherprestigious brands, from Royal Doulton to Maccosmetics. But how does she decide what to puther name to? “Most of the time the brand will goto my agent to see if I’d be interested in doing it,

1, Solar

3, Tribal

4, Midnight

2, Solar

5, Midnight

then we work it from there. I believe if you can’t stand up and say ‘that’s my work’, then what are you bothering for? My passion stays alive because I have faith in what I’m doing and want to see it printed. Seeing people in my designs – that’s great!”

Having spotted Zandra at Graduate FashionWeek this year, we asked how she felt aboutsupporting young design talent. “I think they needencouragement. This country leads the world indesign and it’s not easy.”

Despite being 74 years old, Zandra doesn’tseem to be slowing down. “I need to finish off acatwalk collection for tomorrow,” she tells us, as agirl runs up from her studio on a lower level forthe designer to approve sketches. “I’ve also gotAndrew Logan’s Alternative Miss World thisweekend, then I fly to California to do the show,fly back here and add to it, then go to KualaLumpur as I have been asked to do a collectionthere, too. My partner decided to retire to live by the sea in California – out of every month I usually spend three weeks there and just one here.”

We look forward to more fabric collectionsfrom Zandra Rhodes and FreeSpirit in the nearfuture and hope we get to meet up with the ladyherself again soon. In the meantime, we can’twait to get stitching with Lace Mountain!

A bespoke chandelier by Andrew Logan.

Zandra’s favourite Lace Mountain print, 1, Solar.


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InsideZANDRA’SworldWe took a sneak peak around thedesigner’s London apartment,here’s what we found...

Editor Lorraine and Deputy Stephpose with the great lady herself.

Zandra’s apartment is anAladdin’s cave of gifts andartefacts she has collected overdecades of travelling, includinga piece of the Berlin wall aspart of her rock collection.

Zandra’s penthouse featuresmany mosaic pieces by sculptural

artist and self-proclaimedeccentric, Andrew Logan.

We met up with Sew columnistStuart Hillard, who designed this gorgeous quilt using the

Lace Mountain range.

“I believe if youcan’t stand up and

say ‘that’s mywork’, then whatare you botheringfor? My passion

stays alivebecause I have

faith in what I’mdoing and want to

see it printed”


zandra rhodes

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