Zandra Rhodes at Pure Trade Show 2010

I was very excited to discover that one of my favourite designers Zandra Rhodes, would be taking part in a discussion with vogue.com at PURE trade show earlier this week, about her inspirations, past, present and future. The iconic, eccentric British designer famed for her pink hair and bold, bright textile prints was at the show to promote her new handbag range in collaboration with British label Red or Dead. Here's how it went:

Excitable and chatty throughout, you get the sense that she lives very much in her own bubble. When asked what new, young designers she felt were 'ones to watch', she didn't seem to know who any of them where. 'I'll have to ask you to introduce me to who's current' she said to the interviewee. Eek - awkward! Come on Zandra keep up! She resumed herself though when citing Ossie Clarke, Jean Muir and Bill Gibb (all contemporaries from her heyday), as inspirational designers she most admired. When asked her thoughts on London, she emphasised that people aren't afraid to experiment with their look, making London a great source of inspiration for designers. 'Everyone has their own personality and style' said Zandra. It is an amazing and very inspirational city to live in. We barely have to leave the capital when designing our own Dust collection, fabrics, jewellery, trimmings, the list is endless, are all sourced here. Just take a stroll down Brixton Market for all the inspiration you need. With every culture and nationality, and so much amazing exotic food stalls it's hard not to feel inspired! And with the Zandra Rhodes Fashion and Textile museum just up from the road from us in Battersea, it's well worth a visit.

The most amazing thing about Zandra though, is her presence, and she looked AMAZING, as ever. I have never seen anyone work that many colours, patterns, styles AND bright pink hair, all at once, and look totally inspirational. She has what I call 'it'. She just has 'it', and it works. She loved talking about her hair too. When asked how hard/easy it was to maintain, she claimed it was the easiest colour she has ever had. I can concur, having dyed my hair bright pink in my younger days it really is an easy colour to wear. It definitely makes a statement and has led many of today's pop fashionistas to follow suit - Lady Gaga, Lilly Allen, Kelly Osbourne, Katy Perry, to name a few.

She wrapped up the interview with a strut down the catwalk, like a kaleidoscope of fantasy inspired rainbow prints, chiffon floor length dress billowing behind her (by which time I was fumbling around frantically for my camera, so missed the photo op) accompanied by four models all in Zandra Rhodes original, print chiffon dresses for S/S 11 - magical!