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).
Her graduation show in 2008, which featured trompe l’oeil prints of oversized jewellery on jersey-bonded dresses, took the industry by storm, immediately securing a number of prestigious stockists, notably Browns, Joyce, Colette.
After her graduation show, Mary Katrantzou established her namesake brand. She now boasts over 100 high-end stockists ranging from Selfridges to Browns, Matchesfashion.com, Harrods and Bergdorf’s Goodman.
"The Queen of Print"
Mary Katrantzou was dubbed "The Queen of Print" by press, a moniker that recognized the enormous influence of her work in the medium. Katrantzou's work changed the face of twenty- first century fashion, inspiring high fashion and high street designers alike.
“Print can be as definitive as a cut or a drape and allows a woman to filter the beauty found in design. Our collections create a symbiosis between the world of digital technology and traditional craftsmanship, opening up a huge spectrum for possibility. I can create possibility out of impossibility, surrealism out of realism and both vice versa.” says Mary.
In her designs, Katrantzou plays with clashing aesthetics, mixes technology and artisanship and explores opulent innovative embellishments. Mary Katrantzou’s world is feminine, innovative, bold and artistic.
Awards
Mary Katrantzou has received various awards throughout her career. In 2010 she was awarded the Swiss Textiles Award in recognition of her pioneering textile treatments; in November 2011, she received the British Fashion Award for Emerging Talent, in February 2012 was awarded Young Designer of the Year at the Elle Style Awards.
In 2015, Katrantzou received the Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, was awarded Glamour designer of the year, Harper’s Bazaar Breakthrough Designer as well as the British Fashion Award for New Establishment Designer. In 2019 Mary Katrantzou was the recipient of Vogue India’s Designer of the Decade award for the 00’s.
Collaborations
Prestigious collaborations have included capsule ranges with BVLGARI, Victoria’s Secret, Longchamp, Moncler, Topshop and Adidas Originals. Mary has also collaborated with artist Pablo Bronstein at the ICA, designed costumes for the NYC Ballet, the Paris Opera, the Greek National Opera’s Ballet and her work has been exhibited at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Victoria & Albert museum in London. The Dallas Contemporary museum presented "Mary, Queen of Prints", the first solo exhibition of Mary Katrantzou from January to March 2018, bringing 180 looks into one vibrant tableau. A second solo exhibition followed in 2019 at SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion titled, "KALEIDOSCOPE KATRANTZOU: Mary Katrantzou, 10 Years in Fashion", celebrating the 10th anniversary of the designer's eponymous label.
Muses
Cate Blanchett, Beyoncé, Lizzo, Michelle Obama, Kylie Minoque, Tracee Ellis Ross, Naomi Campbell, Jane Fonda, Lupita Nyong'o and Zendaya are just a few examples of women who have chosen to wear Mary Katrantzou.
Mary Katrantzou’s first couture SS20 show was hosted at the Temple of Poseidon, Greece in late 2019. The show marked three decades of ELPIDA, a charity dedicated to support children suffering from cancer.
“It's almost surreal that she is capable of producing such distinct, accomplished bodies of work with such regularity. No ocean too deep, no mountain too high.” -Tim Blanks