In Pursuit of Luxury

In conversation with Zandra Rhodes

Known for her fabulously bold prints, the iconic British designer, Dame Zandra Rhodes, launched her eponymous fashion brand 56 years ago. Nicknamed ‘The Princess of Punk’, Rhodes burst onto the fashion scene in the late 1960s and continues to work from her studio in London. Rhodes began as a printed textile designer and is renowned for perfecting the art-of-print as an intrinsic influence on garment shape. With dramatic designs and her own distinctive look, Rhodes paved the way for fashion as theatre and entertainment. Her illustrious career has seen her dress international stars including Freddie Mercury, Diana Ross and Barbara Streisand, and British Royalty, most notably, Princess Diana and Princess Anne.

In conversation with Richard McVetis

Richard McVetis studied at Manchester School of Art before studying at the Royal College of Art, where he now teaches. McVetis has been shortlisted for several distinguished prizes, including the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize, UK, 2023; the Jerwood Drawing Prize, UK, 2011 and 2017, and the international Loewe Craft Prize, 2018. In addition, McVetis has shown work nationally and internationally at several exhibitions, including Threads at Arnolfini, UK, 2023; The British Textile Biennial, UK, 2021; RENEW at Kettles Yard, UK, 2019; Loewe Craft Prize, Design Museum, London, UK, 2018; ‘Form + Motion’ – a major exhibition with the British Council, South Korea, 2017. In 2022 his solo show was at the Craft Study Centre, Farnham.

In conversation with Mark Sainsbury

Mark enjoyed a 25-year career in hospitality, developing and running some of London’s most successful restaurants and hotels including Moro Restaurant, Zetter Hotel, and the Grain Store in Kings Cross. In 2011 Mark co-founded the Sustainable Restaurant Association which with its brand Food Made Good is fast becoming the global standard for sustainable food service businesses. Alongside every other member of his family, Mark dedicates much of his time to philanthropy focusing his Trust’s giving in the areas of climate change, sustainable food systems, and music for good. In 2012 he partnered with his late father Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover and his brother Julian to set up Candover Valley Wines which makes the award-winning Candover Brook, an English sparkling wine from their 5 Hectare vineyard on Preston Farm. Mark and his siblings Sarah and Julian run the two family farms in Hampshire. Together with the enlightened stewardship of their estate manager Craig Livingston, they have spent the last 9 years farming regeneratively and seek to share their successes and their learning through multiple events and channels.

In conversation with Maria Grachvogel

Obsessed with the idea that clothing can transform your body, your mood and your confidence Maria experiments with innovative cutting always keeping the woman who wears the clothing front of mind. She is personally committed to preserving the craft of luxury fashion and is working with a technology partner to reimagine the future of fashion. One could easily describe Maria is a fashion architect instinctively interested in materials, shape, form and flow. Today we talk to Maria not only about her clothes but about embracing change in a changing world.

In conversation with Geordie Willis

Geordie Willis is Creative Director for Berry Bros. & Rudd. One of the oldest wine and spirit merchants in the World. With their headquarters based on St James Street in London, Berry Bros. & Rudd has been the official wine supplier to the British royal family since the reign of King George III and received its first royal warrant of appointment in 1903 from King Edward VII.