The classic garments of Zandra Rhodes from the late 60s and 70s are rapidly becoming some of the hottest collectibles on the US, Australia and UK scene.

Rhodes was one of the new wave of British designers who put London at the forefront of the international fashion scene in the 1970s. Her designs are considered clear, creative statements, dramatic but graceful, bold but feminine. Rhodes' inspiration has been from organic material and nature.

Zandra Rhodes was introduced to the world of fashion by her mother, who was a fitter in a Paris fashion house and a teacher at Medway College of Art. Rhodes studied first at Medway and then at the Royal College of Art in London. Her major area of study was printed textile design.

Her early textile fashion designs were considered too outrageous by the traditional British manufacturers, so in 1969, she established her own retail outlet in the fashionable Fulham Road in West London. Zandra's own lifestyle has proved to be as dramatic, glamorous and extroverted as her designs. With her bright green hair (later changed to a spectacular pink and sometimes a radiant red), theatrical makeup and art jewelry, she has stamped her identity on the international world of fashion.

Rhodes designed for Princess Dianna, and continues to design for royalty and celebrities. She notably designed several of famous costumes for Freddie Mercury. She has had many academic and professional honours bestowed upon her and was made a Commander of the British Empire in 1997.

Rhodes was commissioned by the San Diego Opera to design the costumes for her first opera in 2001.  She has also designed for the Houston Grand Opera and the English National Opera.

Zandra Rhodes creations are sold in various shops across the world. View the website for more details

http://www.zandrarhodes.com/