Zandra Rhodes
Knitted Circle evening dress, Zandra Rhodes, 1969. Museum no. T.358-1974
Zandra Rhodes (born 1940) graduated from the Royal College of Art in 1964. The daughter of a fashion instructor, she is renowned for her unconventional clothes and pink hair. Interested in Pop Art and Pucci prints, she sold some of her first textiles to Foale and Tuffin.
While teaching at art college in 1968, she opened the Fulham Road Clothes Shop in Chelsea with fellow designer Sylvia Ayton. However, Rhodes wanted full artistic control over her highly individual prints. Thus she began to base designs for clothes on the shapes of these fabric prints.
She issued her first collection in 1969, showing loose, romantic garments. Rhodes' favourite fabrics included felt and chiffon which she cut into flowing, tiered forms.
Since the beginning of her career Rhodes has kept examples of all her fabrics and garments. In 2003 she opened her own museum of 20th century clothing and textiles in Bermondsey, London.
Become a V&A Member
V&A Members enjoy a wealth of benefits, including free entry to exhibitions, previews, exciting events and the V&A Members’ Room. In addition, you will be supporting the vital work of the V&A.
Buy or Renew Membership OnlineShop online
Zandra Rhodes: Textile Revolution: Medals, Wiggles and Pop 1961-1971
Pop art created a fresh new outlook using everyday objects and design conflating high and low culture into a bright bold aesthetic. Fuelled by the pre…
Buy nowEvent - Fashion and Textile Museum: Kaffe Fassett Exhibition
Wed 12 June 2013 10:00
Founded by British designer Zandra Rhodes, the museum explores cutting-edge contemporary fashion, textiles and jewellery.
Book online
