Roksanda Ilinčić
Founder and creative director of Roksanda
Roksanda Ilinčić is a Serbian born, London based designer and the founder of Roksanda, a label known for sculptural silhouettes and bold colour blocking. Since her debut at London Fashion Week in 2005 she has become one of the most recognised names in British designer fashion and was appointed MBE in 2023.
| Role | Founder and creative director of Roksanda |
|---|---|
| Born | 1975, Belgrade |
| Education | Central Saint Martins MA womenswear (1999) |
| Label launched | 2005, London Fashion Week |
| Honours | MBE, 2023 |
Who is Roksanda Ilinčić?
Roksanda Ilinčić was born in Belgrade in 1975 and is the founder and creative director of the London label Roksanda. Her collections are known for architectural shapes, fluid volumes and confident use of colour, an approach that reflects her early training in architecture and applied arts.
Career
Ilinčić studied architecture and design at the University of Arts in Belgrade before moving to London, where she completed a master's degree in womenswear at Central Saint Martins in 1999. She launched her label at London Fashion Week in 2005.
In June 2014 she opened a flagship store on Mount Street in Mayfair, designed in collaboration with the architect David Adjaye. The project underlined the close relationship between architecture, art and fashion that runs through her work. Today the brand presents its universe in a concept store at 171 to 172 Sloane Street in London, which it describes as a space where "art, design and craftsmanship coexist".
Recognition
Her work has received a series of industry awards, including:
- Red Carpet Award at the British Fashion Awards, 2012
- Red Carpet Designer Award at the Elle Style Awards, 2013
- Business Woman of the Year at the Harper's Bazaar UK Women of the Year Awards, 2014
- British Designer of the Year at the Elle Style Awards, 2016
- MBE for services to fashion design, 2023
Her designs have been worn by public figures including the Princess of Wales, Michelle Obama and Cate Blanchett, and her work has been shown in exhibitions at the Design Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Influence on the fashion business
Roksanda represents a generation of London designers who built independent businesses through a distinctive aesthetic, international wholesale and a carefully curated retail presence. Visibility on the red carpet and among high profile public figures has been an important driver of brand awareness, while the Mayfair flagship gave the label a physical home that expresses its identity beyond the product itself.
Why it matters
Ilinčić's career shows how a designer trained in architecture can translate structural thinking into wearable fashion and how an independent London label can establish a lasting international profile. Her MBE in 2023 recognised her contribution to British fashion design, and her work remains a reference point for contemporary eveningwear and colour driven design.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Roksanda Ilinčić?
Roksanda Ilinčić is a Serbian born designer based in London who founded the label Roksanda in 2005. She is known for sculptural silhouettes and bold colour blocking.
What is Roksanda known for?
The brand is known for architectural eveningwear and confident use of colour, worn by figures such as the Princess of Wales and Michelle Obama. Its Mount Street flagship in Mayfair was designed with the architect David Adjaye.