Join us for a Cumberland Conversation with iconic fashion designer Dame Zandra Rhodes, exploring her 50+ year career at the peak of the fashion industry and how she is inspiring future generations through the Zandra Rhodes Foundation.

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 her new memoir, Iconic: My Life in Fashion in 50 Objects, 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 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 when the crowds were so vast that even David Bowie couldn’t gain access, 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 there with Dame Zandra through all the highs and lows of her extraordinary life.

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

Following the conversation there will be a chance to ask Dame Zandra questions and signed copies of Iconic will be available to purchase.

Format

Guests are invited to join us from 4.45pm on Wednesday 28 August for refreshments before taking a seat for the Conversation by 5pm.

The Conversation will take place in Flitcroft, in The Mews conference centre at Cumberland Lodge. A short drinks reception will follow from 6.30pm to 7pm and tickets include a glass of wine, prosecco or soft drink.

There is an optional tour of Cumberland Lodge starting at 4pm, should you wish to join, please meet at reception in the Main Lodge for 3:50pm. The tour is included in the ticket price.

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Tickets to attend this Conversation have now sold out.

For any enquiries please contact Mary-Kate Wolseley on 01784 497794 or email mkwolseley@cumberlandlodge.ac.uk