Marie Claire meets Zandra Rhodes

She’s the pink-haired grand dame of British fashion who’s designed for everyone from Jackie Onassis to Elizabeth Taylor, Debbie Harry, Bianca Jagger and Kylie Minogue. We caught up with Zandra Rhodes to talk collections, Californian living and her new collaboration with jewellery designer Adele Marie

She’s the pink-haired grand dame of British fashion who’s designed for everyone from Jackie Onassis to Elizabeth Taylor, Debbie Harry, Bianca Jagger and Kylie Minogue. We caught up with Zandra Rhodes to talk collections, Californian living and her new collaboration with jewellery designer Adele Marie.

MC – Why jewellery? ZR – Firstly, I never go out without jewellery, ever! When I saw what Adele Marie did I knew that this was jewellery that I could be wearing. As a designer if you have to want to wear what you are putting out.

MC – You’ve done lots of collaborations, from M&S to Simply Be, what is it about partnerships that you love? ZR – They enable you to expand. I don’t have the resources or the time to pull together all of these things myself, so it’s much more effective doing it this way round.

MC – What kind of woman will wear the designs? ZR - It’s for women who just want to wear a unique piece of jewellery. They’re very strong pieces, which emulate me. It’s not shy jewellery; it’s for women who want to make a statement.

MC – What inspires you? ZR – I like to get away and take inspiration from the kind of things I want to be wearing. With collaborations it’s different - we merge our ideas and visions together.

MC – Are there any exciting projects in the pipeline you can let us in on? ZR – I'm working on an 18ft high Lady Goddiva! She’s a mechanical figure who’ll be presenting a certificate at the Olympics. We’re working on the ideas with students from Coventry University of Art, contributing to a huge corset that will dress her.

MC- How do you fit it all in?! ZR – I’m an early riser! If I’m in London I start the day at about 6:30am. When I ‘m in California it’s 4am as I need to be in contact with London – but then I can work on the new collection or project that I am doing. I am always busy doing something!

MC - What are your top tips for Marie Claire readers who want to get into design? ZR – Never give up. You need drive, passion and to believe in your product and put yourself out there so people can see what you are about.

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MC – Thank you so much for chatting to us Zandra. What’s next for you? ZR – Years and years ago I had a shop and I would love to have a shop again, somewhere the public can buy my clothes. Watch this space!

The Adele Marie and Zandra Rhodes jewellery collection is available to buy now in Harrods.

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