Designer Dossier: Mary Katrantzou
The London-based designer on her Adidas collaboration, Fantasia, and wearing black.

ONE THING YOU'D BE surprised to learn about Greek-born, London-based designer Mary Katrantzou—known for her vibrant colors and photo-real prints—is that she grew up wearing a wardrobe that was anything but that. "When I was around 14 or 15, I started wearing only black—black Converse, black jeans, and a black T-shirt," she says. The 31-year-old's personal style and mostly white apartment let her imagination run free to create the memorable trompe l'oeil patterns from ordinary objects like shoes (spring 2014), stamps (spring 2013), and perfume bottles (fall 2009) that she's shown on the runways since establishing her namesake label five years ago. For her second resort collection, the Central Saint Martins grad focused on calligraphy and typography. "We started looking at Milton Glaser typography and the adornment of the letters in manuscripts like The Book of Kells," she says. From there, she whipped up tulle dresses flocked with glitter and metallic jacquard suiting embossed with graphic letters and symbols in colors inspired by the movie Fantasia. To go with these pieces, Katrantzou introduced a line of clutches that collectively spell out her name—the next step toward building a lifestyle brand. "The idea is to influence a woman's wardrobe in as many ways as possible," she says. With the debut of her first costumes for the New York City Ballet in September, a collection for Adidas set to launch later this month (she's also worked with brands like Current/Elliott and Moncler in the past), and an ongoing collaboration with Gianvito Rossi, we'd say she's doing just that.
1. SHOES price upon request; marykatrantzou.com for similar styles.
2. DRESS price upon request; marykatrantzou.com.
3. DRESS price upon request; modaoperandi.com.
4. SNEAKERS $180 at Barneys New York; (212) 826-8900.
5. SNEAKERS $170 at Barneys New York; (212) 826-8900.
6. CLUTCHES from $2,870 each; marykatrantzou.com.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
All items, Mary Katrantzou; sneakers, Adidas Originals by Mary Katrantzou.
-
Hailey Bieber Dives Into a Rare-for-Her Color Trend
The Rhode founder ditched her trusty neutrals while accepting a major award.
By Lauren Tappan
-
Why Would I Splurge on Beauty Products When These Under-$50 Sephora Finds Exist?
How an editor really shops.
By Siena Gagliano
-
How Serena Williams Subverts Old Hollywood Style
The dress is modern, but the accessories are vintage glam.
By Halie LeSavage
-
I’m Choosing These Retro Sneakers Over Every Other Shoe Trend
Footwear designers are on a vintage kick, and I'm all for it.
By Emma Childs
-
Florence Pugh Is the Lingerie Dressing Trend's Poster Girl in a See-Through Stella McCartney Mini Dress
She loves a see-through look.
By Lauren Tappan
-
Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber Match in Little Black Dresses With Individual Twists
The two looked nearly identical while attending the Broadway premiere of ‘Good Night, and Good Luck.’
By Lauren Tappan
-
Marie Claire Editors Are Obsessed With This Cult-Favorite Sale
SSENSE has everything a fashion enthusiast could ever want.
By Lauren Tappan
-
Spring 2025's Candy-Coated Shoe Color Trends Prove Neutrals Are Overrated
Bold pastels and sugar-sweet hues promise to overtake your boring shoe lineup.
By Lauren Tappan
-
Issa Rae Is Fueling Her Mogul Era With More Me Time
The key to her success lies in self-care.
By Lauren Tappan
-
13 Hailey Bieber Outfit Formulas Defining Her Laidback Personal Style
Copy and paste to your closet.
By Lauren Tappan
-
8 Women Over 60 Share Their Age-Defying Fashion Wisdom
These eight style icons prove that age-appropriate fashion is a myth.
By Emma Childs