A Toolkit for Creative Learning
THE ZANDRA RHODES
DIGITAL STUDY COLLECTION
About the Zandra Rhodes Colourful Heritage project
Zandra Rhodes’ Colourful Heritage is an exciting and multifaceted project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund in collaboration with the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) and The Zandra Rhodes Foundation.
The project ran from March 2024 to September 2025 and aimed to inspire future generations of young designers and creative practitioners, by offering a dynamic platform for students to engage with creativity, fashion, heritage, build skills, connect with industry leaders and to engage disadvantaged and underrepresented learners through experiences within a higher education setting
The project has digitally captured an additional 150+ pieces of Zandra Rhodes’ past collections, including 50 accessories, for the first time, meaning the digital study collection now holds over 700 images, showcasing the incredible work of Rhodes career, so far spanning the last five decades
To support their progression, each intern was also offered coaching sessions designed to foster personal development and strengthen employability skills Once the photography was completed, the images were uploaded to VADS.ac.uk under a Creative Commons licence (CC BY-NC-SA) This licence allows the images to be shared and used globally for inspiration and teaching, while ensuring the copyright remains with the designer. The distinctive Zandra Rhodes Study Collection is now accessible online, providing a rich and inspiring resource for researchers, students, and designers alike.
With 10 hours of knowledge exchanged and 65 key questions answered, we have created a resource of usable videos to support further learning, breaking down barriers by offering advice on how to have a successful career and to achieve your goals.
You can access the knowledge bank here: mylibrary.uca.ac.uk/az/zandra-rhodes-videos
Awards and Honors: She was appointed a Dame the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2014 for her fashion industry.
Museum and Foundation: Zandra founded the Fash Museum in London in 2003, to showcase British fash Zandra Rhodes Foundation as established in 2020.
What is a Digital Study Collection and Why is it Important?
The Zandra Rhodes Digital Study Collection is accessed via VADS.ac.uk; it is more than just a collection of images - it’s a gateway to creativity It connects learners to world-class creative work and demonstrates, through access, that creativity is for everyone
Many young people, due to geography, socio-economic background, or school resourcing, may never visit a major fashion museum or a fashion archive in person. Digital collections like VADS ac uk widen access, removing physical and financial barriers, promoting equity in access to arts education The Zandra Rhodes Digital Study Collection gives students worldwide the opportunity to explore many of the collections of a world-renowned designer’s work, from sketches in the Style Bibles to catwalk pieces presented in detailed multiple angles. This leads to equality of opportunity, ensuring that inspiration and knowledge aren’t limited to those close to big cities like London, or those with easy access to museums and galleries
Digital collections give students access to real, primary source material not summaries or simplified versions supporting critical thinking as they interpret, analyze, and make connections between visual and historical content This inquiry-based approach encourages independent research, builds visual literacy, and fosters contextual understanding of art, fashion, and society.
For students in schools with limited access to textiles or design facilities, the collection acts as a virtual studio: a space to explore how ideas are developed, tested, and expressed through material Ultimately, it aims to inspire lifelong curiosity, learning, and creative exploration
Slow Looking and Creative Education
Thispracticeallowsyoutoengageonadifferentlevel,counteracti observation in a fast-scrolling world. It enhances appreciation thinking,andfosterscreativityandempathybytrainingdeeperpe
Task 2 : Deep Looking (5-10 minutes)
Now do the same with this image from the Zandra Rhodes Digital Stu look closely using that this image. Ask:
What stands out immediately?
What emotion or mood does this garment evoke?
What shapes, textures, or colours do I see?
Does the design remind you of anything?
How do you think the garment feels?
What’s the most unexpected feature that you can see?
What do you know about this garment already?
How would the garment move?
For example I might say that this garment called The Ukraine and 'Chevron Shawl' from Spring/Summer 1970 (on the right) might feel light and I think it would probably be quite fluid in movement because the fabric looks thin and floaty The colours I see are bright pink and orange and it reminds me of a cone flower I have in my garden...
When I look closely I can see a wiggly line pattern and some shapes that remind me of leaves....
The Ukraine and 'Chevron Shawl'; Spring/Summer 1970. Zandra Rhodes CC BY-BC-SA
You can find this garment here: https://vads ac uk/digital/collection/ZR/id/779/rec/2
What are the shapes, materials, colours, textures? What feelings or memories does it evoke?
Step 2: Compare & Contrast (4–5 Minutes)
Now look at both together
Ask:
Similarities: What visual or emotional qualities do they share?
Differences: What distinguishes them in form, tone, or intention?
Function & Context: Do they serve the same purpose? Were they m ways or times?
Story: Do they tell competing or complementary stories?
Worksheet: Slow Looking
CC BY-BC-SA
What do you see?
Silk chiffon dress, known as “the dress”, The Shell Collection, Autumn/Winter 1973, Style Number 73/44, by Zandra Rhodes. © Zandra Rhodes 2012. Mannequin courtesy of Rootstein.
Slow Looking: doodle, draw, sketch...
What do you see?
CC BY-BC-SA
Silk chiffon dress, known as “the dress”, The Shell Collection, Autumn/Winter 1973, Style Number 73/44, by Zandra Rhodes © Zandra Rhodes 2012 Mannequin courtesy of Rootstein
Askyourself:
Material Matters:
Howdoeslightinteractwiththismaterial?
Whatsoundswoulditmakeifyouhandledit? Howmightthewearerfeelinit?
Task3:MaterialRemix(20–30minutes)
ImagineoneofRhodes’iconicdesignsmadefromacompletelydiffe (e.g.,denim,recycledplastic,paper).Sketchorcollageyouridea.
Howdoesthechangeaffectmovementandmood?
Whatnewmeaningdoesthematerialbringtothedesign? Isthischangeanimprovementinyouropinion?ifso,why?
Whatemotionsorthemesaresuggested? Whatmighthaveinfluencedthisdesign?(e.g.,culture,travel,histo Students document findings in sketchbooks with observational sketch coloursampling.
Lesson Plan: Design Inspiration from the Zandra Rhodes Digital Study Collection
Peerdiscussion(physicalorvirtual):Studentspresenttheirdesignan Whattheydrewfromtheoriginalpiece Whattheychangedandwhy Whatandhowtheybroughtincontemporaryrelevance
LearningAims
To develop visual literacy through close observation and analysis fashionandtextiledesign
To explore and understand the work of Zandra Rhodes within its historicalcontext
To use digital resources as a research tool for creative inspiration designdevelopment.
To apply visual research to generate original fashion or text incorporatinghistoricalreferencesintocontemporarypractice.
To reflect critically on the design process and communicate des effectively.
LearningOutcomes
Bytheendofthelesson(s),studentswillbeableto:
IdentifyanddescribekeycharacteristicsofZandraRhodes'designs useofcolour,print,silhouette,andtechnique. Conductslowlookingandvisualanalysisusingadigitalresource.
Record and interpret visual research through annotated sketche creativeresponses.
Produce an original design concept inspired by Rhodes’ work, modernthemeorissue.
Articulate the connection between their research and creative ou verbalorwrittenreflection
Engage in peer feedback and demonstrate an ability to evaluate b andothers’creativeprocesses
Copyright + the Creative Commons licence.
The images of the Zandra Rhodes garments, accessories and drawings hosted on VADS are the copyright of Zandra Rhodes ©
Zandra has assigned a Creative Commons Licence to allow the images to be used globally for,
Learning Teaching Research
Images are licensed as: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Licence. CC BY-NC-SA
When using images you should credit Zandra Rhodes as the original creator. Example of a credit:
[title of image] by [name of source/creator of image] © [source] [year]
Colourful Heritage: www.uca.ac.uk/colourful-heritage
Creative Commons: www.creativecommons.org
National Lottery Heritage Fund: www.heritagefund.org.uk
Nucleus Arts: www.nucleusarts.com
Thinkability: wwwpzharvardedu/resources/thinkability
University for the Creative Arts: www.uca.ac.uk
VADS: wwwVADS ac uk
Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS): www.vtshome.org
Zandra Rhodes Foundation: wwwzandrarhodesfoundationorg
The Colourful Heritage Team
Thanks to you...
Image Credits...
