Style icon Zandra Rhodes set for fireside chat at season’s biggest show
Dame Zandra Rhodes is the big name draw at Spring Fair as the 83-year-old pocket rocket of the fashion and retail world will be sitting down for a fireside chat.
The Fabric Of Success: Dame Zandra Rhodes On Reinventing Fashion And Retail Leadership is the title of the session on the final day of the season’s biggest trade fair, running over Sunday to Wednesday, 4-7 February, at Birmingham’s NEC.
And the woman whose influence extends across fashion, homewares, print design, and even founded her own museum will be interviewed by retail analyst Natalie Berg on the Inspiring Retail Stage at 12.30pm on the Wednesday.
Nicknamed the princess of punk, Zandra launched her eponymous brand 55 years ago and continues to work full-time at her Bermondsey studio at the Fashion & Textile Museum she founded and where she also lives.
She will be delving into her origin story, the evolution of British fashion, and her pioneering role in home furnishings, and explaining how her own unique pink-haired and vibrant clothing style and daring collaborations shaped her brand, driving innovation and legacy.
Spring Fair organiser Hyve Events said: “This session is a must-watch for those interested in the intersection of retail creativity, industry advocacy and the cultivation of female leadership in retail.”
The Inspiring Retail Stage programme will also welcome other industry icons and experts to share their experiences, stories, and advocacy across the four-day show.
Soraya Gadelrab, event director Spring Fair, said: “We have created a new content programme to help guide and inspire our audience. We can’t wait to open the stage and enjoy the buzz of the catwalk and the insights of our speakers.”
The sessions include Retail Landscape 2024: Insights From The British Retail Consortium by BRC director of insight Kris Hamer, and British Independent Retailers’ Association ceo Andrew Goodacre, as well as the GTN Greatest Christmas Awards showcasing the work of garden centres over the festive period.
There’s also tv dragon, retail entrepreneur and small business champion Theo Paphitis sharing his insights, successes and key learnings from his 40-year retail career while looking ahead to the latest twists and turns of the industry.
And 12 small companies have won free stands to showcase their designs in the #SBS Village – part of Theo’s Small Business Sunday support – including Libra Fine Arts with its artwork and gifts, and homewares and gifts from Sally Tettersell Designs.
“The #SBS and Spring Fair partnership has gone from strength to strength,” Theo said, “and I’m delighted to have had nearly 50 businesses receive a free stand at Spring or Autumn Fair over the last few years – that’s a lot of support for some brilliant smes.
“Spring Fair 2024 will once again be a staple part of my diary and I will be sharing my thoughts on the opportunities and challenges of 2024 for retailers and, of course, visiting the #SBS Village on the day.”
Inspiring retail’s creators and curators, Spring Fair has brought the industry together for over 70 years so visitors, buyers and the whole industry can discover the latest products and trends.
The upcoming edition has four key destinations and 13 sectors:
Gift – Greeting Cards, Stationery & Wrapping; Beauty & Wellbeing; Gift; Party & Celebration; Kids, Toys & Play.
Home – Home, Living & Décor; Housewares; The Summerhouse; Christmas, Festive & Floral.
Moda – Clothing; Fashion Accessories; Footwear; Jewellery & Watch.
Everyday – re-energising the traditional volume sector.
To secure your free ticket to Spring Fair, which runs over 4-7 February at Birmingham’s NEC, click here.
