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Iconic by Zandra Rhodes & Ella Alexander
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Iconic

My Life in Fashion in 50 Objects

$15.85

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Narrator Antonia Beamish

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Length 10 hours 4 minutes
Language English
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Brought to you by Penguin.

Dame Zandra Rhodes has spent her life rallying against what was expected of her, both as a designer and a woman. Often perceived as too bold for the mainstream, she fought for creativity and individuality, and continues to achieve both in everything she does.

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.

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 while Joe Cocker sang With a Little Help From My Friends; from judging Andrew Logan's Alternative Miss World with David Hockney and Angie Bowie which was so packed that even David Bowie couldn't get in, to hanging out with Andy Warhol and Halston in New York's Studio 54; from friendships with legends such as Karl Lagerfeld and Diana Vreeland to designing for everyone from Freddie Mercury to Diana Ross, from Princess Diana to Barbra Streisand. Iconic gives the reader a sense of being right alongside Zandra through all the highs and lows of her extraordinary life.

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

‘A wonderful, fascinating, fun collection of memories and stories.' Shirley Bassey

'Dazzling from start to finish.' Joanna Lumley

‘Zandra Rhodes has changed the course of fashion history.' Suzy Menkes, fashion journalist

©2024 Zandra Rhodes and Ella Alexander (P)2024 Penguin Audio

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.

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.

Illustration of person sitting

Shop small, give big!

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Start gifting
Phone showing make the switch message

Limited-time offer

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Now’s a great time to shop indie. When you start a new one credit per month membership supporting local bookstores with promo code SWITCH, we’ll give you two bonus audiobook credits at sign-up.

Sign up today

Reviews

'The most extraordinary designer of her generation. This is a book that everyone will be absolutely taken by.' Fun stories and memories from the fabulous Zandra! Insightful and funny reminiscences from a self-confessed hoarder. A vibrant account of the era-defining designer, filled with rock stars, royalty and life-changing friendships, from Karl Lagerfeld to Diana Vreeland. 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. 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! Expand reviews
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