Although it's Fashion Week and I've been so uber-busy the last few days (thank you to all PRs who have sent me tickets to the shows, I love ya'll!), I did make time on Friday night to pay a little visit to a Zandra Rhodes party to celebrate the launch of her new Z by Zandra Rhodes diffusion line.
I got talking to Zandra, and when I introduced myself as a blogger, she replied: "What's that dear?" haha - LOVE her! I explained and then she said "So where do you blog?". Oh God bless her. I thought it easier to give her one of my cards, and in response she fumbled around in her handbag and pulled out a stash of cards held together with an elastic band and handed me one. I had to take a pic of it. This is her signature signature which she has used for years, decades even (she is 69 after all, and looking bloomin marvelous!).
What I love about her, in all her pink-haired glory, is how perfectly old-school she is. I asked who does her PR, she told me she does everything herself. She's carved this fabulous career in fashion from working non stop on prints, colours and designs that mean everything to her. And it's worked! OK, so we may not see her clothes in all the magazines, but she has a niche that is unique to her, and if nothing else, we can always count on Ms Rhodes for a splash of colour here of there.
Z is a collaboration with former model Noelle Reno and is a range that reaches out to the younger woman. Jersey tops, fun printed Tees and leggings feature in the collection and will be available at Harvey Nics from April. It's a fun project for all concerned, Zandra definitely seemed to think so, she commented that: "[it's] nice because it's younger and it brings another angle to my label".
She's my new favourite - so adorable, so friendly, and so down to earth.
Click onto www.zandrarhodes.com to have a look at the new collection.