Well, tell that to Mary Katrantzou, the girl whose single-minded creativity shifted digital printing into high gear when she was just out of Central Saint Martins in 2008.
Her graduating show in 2008 was a success and mapped out her signature style. It was themed around Trompe l’oeil effects and digital prints of oversize jewellery inspired by Russian Constructivism and early 70s movie posters. The collection was nominated for both the Harrods and the L’Oreal Professional Awards.
Her first Ready-to-Wear collection debuted at London Fashion Week in Spring/Summer 2009 with the support of the BFC and the New Gen Scheme. Despite a small collection of 9 pieces, Katrantzou picked up 15 prestigious stockists including Harvey Nichols, Colette and Browns.
Katrantzou’s pieces are designed for women with a liberated spirit and a strong sense of style. Her thematic collections revolve around an aura of luxury, art and design. She finds inspiration in perfume bottles, artisan blown glass, eighteenth century portraiture paintings and interiors, while keeping the printed image central to her aesthetic. Her collections are complimented by a capsule jewellery line with the same play of illusion and effect, highlighting her other talent as a jewellery designer.
Katrantzou has previously worked for Sophia Kokosalaki and Bill Blass amongst other designers. She has collaborated with Christian Louboutin, Swarovski Elements, and Topshop.
Mary Katrantzou currently boasts over 100 stockists worldwide, including Barney’s, Joyce, 10 Corso Como, Neiman Marcus and Colette. Her work has been featured in some of the most prestigious publications such as Vogue, Wallpaper, The New York Times and Dazed & Confused.
Mary Katrantzou is fast making a name for herself with her unique bold and graphic prints. Her innovative style has labelled her as a ‘breakthrough’ designer of recent seasons, winning the highly regarded Swiss Textile Design Award in November 2010.
Her collections are a play on the senses, with unique eye-catching patterns that flatter the feminine silhouette and at the same time express attitude and symmetry. Katrantzou injects a unique imagination into her opulent and thematic collections, which make them both desirable and coveted.