Rhodes, Zandra

Zandra Rhodes (b. 1940) studied at the Royal College of Art and the Medway College of Art in Textile Design. Her mother was a fitter at a Paris fashion house and a teacher at Medway. She opened her own shop in 1969 in response to her designs being labeled too flamboyant for conservative London manufacturers. She quickly was on the cutting edge of the London fashion revival. Ms. Rhodes was as striking as her designs…her trademarks were green hair and theatrical makeup.

She credited her influence as organic shapes and materials, and nature, and her clothing emulates a certain fluid grace, including chiffon, handpainting, organza, and the revival of the crinoline. Later on, trademark details included jeweled safety pins and reversed exposed seams. The late 1990s saw an Indian influence due to her travels to India.

Among her achievements have been a variety of exhibitions, including an unexpected exhibit for the San Diego children’s museum, for which she also created a paper doll book. Her designs were worn by Freddie Mercury and Queen during the 1970s. Her most famed achievements include designing clothing for Diana, the Princess of Wales, and being made a Commander of the British Empire in 1997 by Queen Elizabeth II. Her clothing enjoys a cult following in the United States today.

Written by vintagegent.com

from a 1972 blouse

Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from a late 1970s dress

Courtesy of firehawk325

from an early 1980s beaded art dress

Courtesy of catbooks1940s

from a 1980s dress

Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from a 1980s garment

Courtesy of vintagetrend

from a late 1980s jacket

Courtesy of cooltrikerchick

from an early 1990s suit

Courtesy of ellenm