Mary Katrantzou
Founder and creative director of Mary Katrantzou
Mary Katrantzou is a Greek designer based in London whose eponymous label, founded in 2008, became known for vivid, print led womenswear. In April 2024 she was also appointed Bulgari's first creative director for leather goods and accessories.
| Role | Founder of Mary Katrantzou |
|---|---|
| Born | 1983, Athens |
| Education | Central Saint Martins (BA 2005, MA 2008) |
| Label founded | 2008 |
| Bulgari | Appointed creative director of leather goods and accessories, April 2024 |
Who is Mary Katrantzou?
Mary Katrantzou was born in Athens in 1983 and is the founder of the London label Mary Katrantzou. She made her name with intensely graphic, print driven collections, and the label's official website still describes its focus as "digital print, embellishment & unique designs". Signature pieces included trompe l'oeil prints of oversized jewellery on bonded jersey dresses that created the illusion of giant necklaces.
Career
Katrantzou began studying architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design before transferring to Central Saint Martins in London, where she completed a BA in 2005 and an MA in 2008. Her first ready to wear collection was shown for autumn/winter 2008, and she quickly attracted attention from buyers and the press.
Her early recognition included the Swiss Textiles Award in 2010, the British Fashion Award for emerging talent in womenswear in 2011 and the Elle Style Awards young designer of the year title in 2012. In 2015 she won the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, which brought a grant of 200,000 pounds and business mentoring, and received the New Establishment award at the British Fashion Awards. In October 2017 she sold a minority stake in her company to Yu Capital.
Collaborations and Bulgari
Katrantzou has worked with a range of established brands, including a capsule collection for Longchamp in 2012 and a collaboration with adidas from 2014. In April 2024 Bulgari appointed her as its first creative director for leather goods and accessories, extending her design language into one of luxury's most commercially important categories.
- Capsule collection for Longchamp, 2012
- Collaboration with adidas from 2014
- Creative director of leather goods and accessories at Bulgari from 2024
Influence on the fashion business
Katrantzou's label helped establish print as a central element of luxury womenswear in the 2010s, at a time when London was producing a wave of independent, design led businesses. Her collections were sold through a large network of international retailers, and her move to Bulgari shows how houses increasingly recruit independent designers with a strong signature to lead specific product categories.
Why it matters
For the industry, Katrantzou is an example of a designer whose distinctive visual identity became a business asset, attracting investment, collaborations and a senior role within a major luxury group. Her path from independent label to category leadership at Bulgari reflects a wider trend in how luxury brands source creative talent.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Mary Katrantzou?
Mary Katrantzou is a Greek born, London based designer who founded her eponymous label in 2008. She is known for bold, print led womenswear.
What is Mary Katrantzou's role at Bulgari?
In April 2024 Bulgari appointed her as its first creative director for leather goods and accessories. The role extends her design signature into the jeweller's accessories business.