Homing In

Dame Zandra Rhodes: the fashion legend on living a life in Technicolor


Listen Later

Zandra's home is one of the most colourful, cluttered and downright bonkers living spaces I've ever been in. 

 

We recorded this podcast just before Christmas, so there was an extra layer of sparkle on top of the kaleidoscope. 

 

Zandra walked me through her incredible life story... from being born during an air raid in 1940, to being discovered by American Vogue's fashion editor Diana Vreeland... dressing people like Freddie Mercury, and having lunch with Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol.  

 

We discussed why she dyes her hair pink and wears flamboyant clothes, and why she's never seen herself in the mirror without makeup on.  

 

She told me about her colourful family history, including a dad she was embarrassed by, a mum who channelled all of her ambition into Zandra, and a grandmother who was murdered.  

 

Zandra's in her mid-eighties now. A few years ago, she was diagnosed with cancer and given six months to live, so I wasn't sure quite what to expect. 

 

But I found someone who's incredibly full of life, working as hard as ever, and optimistic about the future.  



This episode was recorded in person at Zandra's home in London.


For more:


Pick up a copy of Zandra Rhodes' latest book, Iconic

Subscribe to The Modern House newsletter for weekly interiors inspiration

Pick up a copy of Matt Gibberd’s latest book, A Modern Way To Live

Follow Matt Gibberd on Instagram

Follow The Modern House Instagram

Watch our Homing In films on YouTube


Producer: Laconic Collective

Graphic Design: Ben Tucker

Music: Simeon Walker


This episode is sponsored by Vitsoe.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Homing InBy Matt Gibberd and The Modern House

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

74 ratings


More shows like Homing In

View all
Desert Island Discs by BBC Radio 4

Desert Island Discs

2,081 Listeners

Desert Island Dishes by Desert Island Dishes

Desert Island Dishes

75 Listeners

Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware by Jessie Ware

Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware

1,639 Listeners

How To Fail With Elizabeth Day by Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment

How To Fail With Elizabeth Day

1,257 Listeners

House Guest by Country & Town House | Interior Designer Interviews by Country and Town House

House Guest by Country & Town House | Interior Designer Interviews

44 Listeners

Comfort Eating with Grace Dent by The Guardian

Comfort Eating with Grace Dent

166 Listeners

Ruthie's Table 4 by iHeartPodcasts

Ruthie's Table 4

276 Listeners

This Cultural Life by BBC Radio 4

This Cultural Life

84 Listeners

Dish by Cold Glass Productions

Dish

599 Listeners

Talking Gardens by Our Media

Talking Gardens

36 Listeners

The Ins & Outs by Jojo Barr, Pollyanna Wilkinson

The Ins & Outs

101 Listeners

Young Again by BBC Radio 4

Young Again

70 Listeners

Travel Secrets by Tanya Rose

Travel Secrets

28 Listeners

The Chromologist by Farrow & Ball

The Chromologist

35 Listeners

Fashion Neurosis with Bella Freud by Bella Freud

Fashion Neurosis with Bella Freud

162 Listeners