MARY KATRANTZOU "The Queen of Print"

Born in Athens, Mary Katrantzou studied Architecture at Rhode Island School of Design (USA) and graduated with a BA in Textile design and an MA in Fashion from Central Saint Martins (London). This creative fusion best signifies her signature hand of playful, often clashing aesthetics, bold prints and artistic flair. Vogue crowned her in the early days as "The Queen of Print". 

Continually pushing the boundaries of textiles, visual drama and innovation, Mary Katrantzou is a pioneer of digital art crossed into fashion than evolves; she has revolutionised the design approach way beyond fashion print. Her clothes are feminine, bold, imaginative and illustrative, a line that often rubs shoulders with culture, history and textile craft, demonstrated with her signature trompe l'oeil prints and structured silhouettes.

A favourite for brand collaborations, Katrantzou has entered into several significant collections for Adidas Originals, Victoria's Secret and has exclusively designed for the New York City Ballet and ranges for Moncler and Longchamp.

In 2020, Mary Katrantzou produced a headline collection that celebrated Greek heritage, history, and culture. The launch at the ancient Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion was also to commemorate the 30th-anniversary founding ELPIDA, the Association of Friends of Children with Cancer, established by Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis. This charity gives hope for the future for thousands of children.

Echoing the Ancient Greek belief in the pure power of colour, each outfit was executed in a single hue, including tonal embroideries of feathers, beads and Swarovski crystal. Here, as Plato wrote, "colour is a flame, which flows forth from each sort of body" - Aegean blue, Tyrian purple, the white and black of marble. The collection as a whole is a prismatic, refracted spectrum - a spectrum of both colour and inspiration.

All roads lead to Greece: shoes are Ancient Greek Sandals, handmade locally by skilled Greek craftsmen using traditional techniques centuries old. The music to the show was specially created by the Academy Award-winning Greek composer Vangelis. Those threads inspire Mary Katrantzou: here, she weaves them together to form the fabric of this specially-created collection.

A patron of the arts, creativity and design, her label has a distinct personality and culture — a Greek designer to watch.