Iconic: My Life in Fashion in 50 Objects

In this insightful memoir, Zandra shares her life story for the first time. Told through a variety of mementos collected over the years, it is a vibrant account filled with rockstars and royalty, of life-changing friendships and poignant reflections on her personal triumphs and tragedies, as well as the fears, sacrifices and pressures that come with being an era-defining designer.

Full of poignant reflections and life lessons on achieving success while defying convention, Zandra takes the reader right alongside her as she recounts being inspired by her avant-garde mother to her time at the Royal College, from a road trip to Rome with Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell, to opening her first London store thanks to a kind loan from Vanessa Redgrave with Joe Cocker singing With a Little Help From My Friends, from hanging out with Andy Warhol and Halston in New York's Studio 54 to lifelong friendships with legends such as Karl Lagerfeld and Diana Vreeland; from designing for everyone from Freddie Mercury to Diana Ross, Princess Diana to Barbra Streisand to founding the Fashion and Textile Museum.

Capturing the rich and unexpected life of a British icon, this memoir explores what it is to defy the norm.

Review

A vibrant account of the era-defining designer, filled with rock stars, royalty and life-changing friendships, from Karl Lagerfeld to Diana Vreeland. ― Observer

Her eye for detail and extraordinary access make for delicious anecdotes ... It’s wildly maximalist, absolutely fabulous and we leave the author, as ever, living la vie en rose. ― The I Paper

A wonderful, fascinating, fun collection of memories and stories. I have known Zandra for many years, and her passion for art shines now more than ever. We share the same sentiment... who wants to live a life without colour, music or laughter! ― Shirley Bassey

'The most extraordinary designer of her generation. This is a book that everyone will be absolutely taken by.' ― Manolo Blahnik

Fun stories and memories from the fabulous Zandra! Insightful and funny reminiscences from a self-confessed hoarder. ― Twiggy

Zandra Rhodes is a living legend and her inspirational work in fashion, deeply woven into the cultural and musical fabric of the last 50 years, is still as potent and fresh as ever. This book detailing her fascinating life and development as an artist cannot fail to ignite interest all around the world. ― Brian May

Zandra Rhodes has changed the course of fashion history. She has always done things in her own spirit and timing. She has never kept to the calendar. ― Suzy Menkes

Her fashion transcends . . . her dresses are fairytale princess dresses and every woman's fantasy, which is why everyone from Princess Anne to a Dallas socialite loves them.' ― Anna Sui

Zandra has always known the rules of good taste, and that's the only way she knew to break them so beautifully. ― John Waters

Dazzling from start to finish, this shows how Zandra Rhodes became a fabulous style icon and creative genius. Adorable and sometimes pretty astonishing: I couldn’t have loved it more. ― Joanna Lumley

About the Author

Zandra Rhodes (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 (Author)
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.