Wednesday 19th September: Zandra Rhodes LFW SS19 “Looking Back, Looking Forward”

Zandra Rhodes “Looking Back, Looking Forward” at LFW for Spring Summer 2019, presented with jewellery by Andrew Logan

The title is an indication of Zandra's upcoming 50 year anniversary!  The collection has taken this theme by referencing her extensive back catalogue, incorporating prints and colours from 1969 to the present day.  Patterns such as her signature "Cacti, Frills, Punk and Wiggles" have been revisited and screen- printed by hand at her London atelier.  She has kept every single screen so here the racks are a real archive of her artwork which can automatically be re-visited.  These soft chiffons feature alongside her other trademark style of structural pleated metallics, my absolute favourite.  Total dream.    

Help fund the feature documentary "Zandra With A Zee" exploring the life & art of one of Britain's most iconic designers on the run up to this Jubilee Anniversary. Head over to the crowdfunding page to pledge here.

Monday 22nd Feb: LFW AW16 Zandra Rhodes

The backing cloth from the screen-printing tables of Zandra Rhodes studio were used as the set design for her presentation at the ICA Gallery.  All the layers of ink and shapes tesselated over time, were a beautiful backdrop to her new AW16 collection of brocade silk fabrics.  Her signature metallic swirls are now across suits using "Songket" to complement her soft sheer silhouettes.  The "Shimmer & Shine" collaboration with Kraftangan uses this Malaysian textile technique to revive the tradition and bring it to a new market.  Songket, also originally worn as head ties and headdresses in Malay ceremonies,  has now been reimagined and reworked into Turbans by Piers Atkinson.  Jewellry came from Lara Bohinc, glasses by Kitty Joseph and shoes from Nicholas Kirkwood to complete the nostalgic "Global Nomad" vibe with models dancing around the museum gallery setting.  Soundtracked by The Broken Hearts, this was the perfect Saturday night 70's style salon soiree for fashion week, thank you Dame Zandra. 

Monday 30th Nov: The Winter Tree at Standen House by Zandra Rhodes & Andrew Logan

Friends and artists Zandra Rhodes and Andrew Logan have joined cosmic forces to collaborate on Christmas this year at the Arts & Crafts period Standen House.  Ive been lucky enough to see Andrew's Christmas Tree decorating skills myself with his own tree, and now the public can enjoy this vision in full glory at the National Trust property in Sussex.   He used neon road maintenance safety tape to wrap the branches into fluorescent prongs to hang hand-mirrors decorated in Zandra's trademark swirls.  This pattern was carried thru to paper chains and lattice bunting was bound into ball shapes from the orange netting also salvaged from highway usage!  This conscious adaptation of found materials was key to keeping the process in line with William Morris approach to creation.  The duo also actively involved the local community by inviting children to donate toys to suspend in clear bubble baubles so that everyone had input to the installation.  The lights were switched on with a special night of a presentation about the commissioned project.  There's another chance to catch this event with artists in residence on Monday 14th and a fashion show of both Zandra's clothes with Andrew's accessories that weekend.  Head over to the site to see full details.

(Photos from the opening and a separate portrait of Zandra at last week's WProject symposium which is unrelated but only days apart to illustrate how busy this inspirational Dame is!). 

Friday 18th Sept: London Fashion Week - Zandra Rhodes

Opening London Fashion Week this morning was a riot and welcome crusade of colour from the legendary princess of print, Dame Zandra Rhodes.  In the gold gilt interior of David Chipperfield's Hotel Cafe Royal on Regent Street, the models made a salon style presentation.  Zandra's trademark bright colour breezy organza shapes were mixed with emblazoned denim and accessorised with Kitty Joseph Perspex sunglasses.  I absolutely loved the visors and plimsoles decorated with her swirl motif in puff pen and crystals.  Cant think of a better, more uplifting way to start the Spring/Summer season!

(Makeup by @andrewgallimakeup 🎨 Hair by @biancatuovi 💇 Nails by @amaquashie )

Tuesday 26th May: Zandra Rhodes Rainbow Loft Sample Sale

This Bank Holiday the colourful network of London designers took over Zandra Rhodes Rainbow Penthouse for a sample sale. Here is Bethan Wood camouflaged perfectly into the surroundings wearing some Zandra Rhodes prints.  I tried on a Piers Atkinson PomPom headband and got some cosmic rainbow cable covers from the Auria swimwear stall.  Kitty Joseph had selections of her archive and printed t-shirts, socks and dip-dyed acrylic accessories.  Andrew Logan's beautiful mosaic mirrored jewellery was also on view which I always covet like crazy - especially the massive chunky bangles.  Classic.  

Check out Bethan's installation for Tory Burch "Lettuce entertain you" here