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My London: Zandra Rhodes
By Charlotte Williamson, Evening Standard Last updated at 00:00am on 20.06.03
Zandra Rhodes: lives on top of the Fashion and Textile Museum
The fashion designer loves her roof garden, is a fan of lesserknown museums and yearns for a more car-friendly city
Where do you live and why? I live in the penthouse above the Fashion and Textile Museum in Bermondsey. I've been there ever since I helped convert the building - a former warehouse. I'm originally from Chatham in Kent.
What was the last play you saw in London? Well, it was an opera, La Sonnambula (the Sleepwalker), at the Royal Opera House. I really enjoyed it - there was an amazing two-storey set.
Harvey Nicks or Selfridges? They're as different as chalk and cheese. I do like Selfridges, though, especially when it had that Sam Taylor-Wood wraparound.
What do you miss most when you're out of London? Spring blossom and The Archers and Desert Island Discs on Radio 4.
What are your favourite home comforts? A glamorous bed with Zandra Rhodes sheets. I did a range ages ago for Littlewoods and I've still got them all. They should ask me to do them again.
What are your extravagances? The garden on top of the museum belongs to me and at the moment is full of the most wonderful camellias. I also like collecting art. I have a Kate Malone and a chandelier by Andrew Logan.
What is your life philosophy? To give back what I've received and keep doing collections. I'll work until I drop.
How do you get around town? During the day I use the Jubilee Line, which is great. At night I drive - it's too busy in the day - the Mayor has narrowed the streets in my area.
What scent do you wear? On several occasions I've embarked upon starting my own Zandra Rhodes perfume. I still use the remnants of those attempts as my special scent.
How long have you lived in Bermondsey? For two-and-a-half years. Before that I was in Notting Hill Gate. But I sold that house to buy the warehouse.
Where were the last three places you went on holiday? I went to Bombay to judge the Miss India contest and then on to Madras and Sri Lanka. Before that it was Lake Como.
What is your earliest London memory? Being at the RCA in the Sixties. The atmosphere was amazing - Hockney and Ozzie were there and it was a great time to be in London. I remember the Stones playing at the Albert Hall.
What is in your summer wardrobe? Printed tops from Topshop and floating kaftans designed by me.
What were the last books you bought? Nigella Lawson's Forever Summer and one by Elizabeth David. I like cooking but I don't cook enough.
What's in your secret address book? The Greenhouse on Bedale Street, SW1, sells wonderful exotic flowers. It's run by lovely Leila.
What was the last CD you bought? Bizet's opera The Pearl Fishers. I'm working on the sets and costumes for a production in San Diego.
What would you do if you were Mayor for the day? I'd drive around and see what a mess I'd made. Then I'd eliminate all yellow lines and get rid of parking meters. London is impossible for drivers.
What advice would you give a tourist? Walk everywhere. And visit all the 'secret' museums, like the Sir John Soane's Museum, the Old Operating Theatre in St Thomas Street and Dennis Severs' house in Folgate Street. They need to be kept alive.
The Fashion and Textile Museum is at 83 Bermondsey Street, SE1 (020 7403 0222). Zandra Rhodes dresses are for sale from the salon above the museum.
