On Show: Zandra Rhodes – A Life in Print at the Holburne Museum

Now on at The Holburne Museum in Bath – Zandra Rhodes: A Life in Print offers a vivid and immersive celebration of one of Britain’s most distinctive textile designers. Known for her unapologetic embrace of vibrant colour and her unmistakable illustrated prints, Rhodes emerges here as an artist of cloth, a designer who treats fabric as both canvas and wearable narrative.

From the outset, the exhibition foregrounds Rhodes’ identity as a textile print designer. Before a garment takes shape, it is her prints, hand-drawn, screen-printed, and bursting with her distinctive personality, that define the visual language of her work. Arranged into “hero print” sections, the show allows visitors to trace recurring motifs across decades: lipsticks, feathers, seashells, bows, even stylised New York skyscrapers and Egyptian references. These are not merely decorative repeated patterns; they are playful, expressive illustrations inspired by personal experiences and travel. 

Rhodes’ approach to colour is equally striking. Acid pinks clash joyfully with electric blues; citrus yellows dance alongside deep violets. There is nothing tentative about her palette, it is bold, emotional and instinctive. This fearless use of colour, evident throughout her six-decade career, reflects both her artistic training and her global influences, with many prints originating from her travel sketches and cultural encounters. Seen up close, the screen-printing process reveals its tactile richness: irregularities, ink density, and linework that reinforce the handmade quality of each piece.

The exhibition’s decision to display garments on vintage Adel Rootstein mannequins adds another layer of authenticity, anchoring many of the works firmly in the 1970s, the decade in which Rhodes rose to prominence. These fluid silhouettes, often cut to move freely with the body, serve as ideal vehicles for her prints, allowing the designs to ripple and animate as living pieces rather than static surfaces.

Rhodes’ cultural impact is also woven into the narrative. During the 1970s and early 1980s, her designs were worn by an array of high-profile figures, helping to cement her reputation as both avant-garde and glamorous. Clients included icons such as Freddie Mercury, Elton John, and Princess Diana, figures who, like Rhodes, embraced theatricality and individuality. Their patronage speaks to the performative quality of her work: these are clothes designed not to blend in but to command attention.

A particularly engaging element of the exhibition is the audio tour narrated by Rhodes herself. Hearing her describe the origins of specific prints, whether inspired by a fleeting visual moment or a sustained fascination with a culture, adds intimacy and depth. It reinforces the idea that each design is rooted in observation and imagination, bridging between fine art and fashion.

Curated in collaboration with Piers Atkinson and Rosemary Harden, the exhibition draws from the extensive Zandra Rhodes Foundation archive, which houses over 6,000 pieces. This breadth allows for a nuanced exploration of her evolution while maintaining a clear focus on her core identity as a printmaker.

Ultimately, A Life in Print succeeds in encouraging visitors to look closely at print textiles, at process, and at the artistry embedded in fashion. In an era increasingly dominated by digital production, Rhodes’ work stands as a vibrant reminder of the power of the hand-drawn line and the expressive potential of print. 

The exhibition, running at The Holburne until 10th May 2026, is not only a retrospective but a celebration of textile design in its own right.

Images by JoJo Iles