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''I have always had to project the image of myself that the public knows. If you turn the lighting up and dye your hair pink, people don''t seem to notice the tacky edges. I want to record an accurate, fuller picture of myself and the remarkable life I have lived so far. I don''t want to let it all pass by without reflection.'' Dame Zandra Rhodes has spent her life rallying against what was expected of her, both as a designer and a woman. Often too bold for the mainstream, she fought for creativity, individuality and relevance. In this insightful and vibrant memoir, Zandra shares her story for the first time. Told through a variety of mementos and curiosities collected over the course of her eight decades, it is a vibrant and colourful account filled with rockstars and royalty. But alongside those life-changing friendships with legends like Karl Lagerfeld and Divine, she offers poignant reflections on her personal triumphs and tragedies, as well as the fears, sacrifices and pressures that come with being an era-defining designer. Capturing the rich and unexpected life of a British icon, this memoir explores what it is to defy the norm.
About the author
Dame Zandra Rhodes has been a leading figure of the fashion industry for over five decades, celebrating her 50th year in fashion in September 2019 with a retrospective exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London, which she founded. Her skill as a print designer, perfection of the art-of-print as an intrinsic influence on garment shape and affinity for colour has resulted in a signature aesthetic that is undeniably unique and continues to stand the test of time. She has dressed some of the world’s most stylish men and women from Freddie Mercury, Elizabeth Taylor and Diana Ross to Bianca Jagger, Debbie Harry and Princess Diana. She has also created costumes, winning an Emmy Award in the process. She has appeared in multiple television shows, from the cult series Absolutely Fabulous to Masterchef and The Real Marigold Hotel. In 2015, she was made a Dame in recognition of her contribution to fashion and textiles.Ella Alexander is a journalist and Harper’s Bazaar Contributing Editor. She has written about style, design and contemporary culture for leading titles including Vogue, the Independent, Glamour and Condé Nast Traveller.
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From the winged cape she designed for Freddie Mercury to her white Biba boots, every piece tells a memorable tale. The Lady, Book of the Year
