Today is MARY KATRANTZOU‘s birthday and with this post I want to congratulate my dear friend who also happens to be one of my favorite designers. From her first presentation, I have been collecting her outstanding designs and I am proud of my extensive collection. It’s hard to believe that it’s a decade since her designs made their catwalk debut as part of the annual Central Saint Martins MA graduate show. Her digital trompe-l’oeil prints of oversized jewellery placed on colour-block dresses were an instant hit and her label is one of London’s most loved. Since then, she has constantly evolved. The so-called «Queen of Prints» surprises me each season how she masters print and plays with proportions.
Princess Beatrice of York, Mary Katrantzou, my humble self and Federica Fanari
On top of her talent, Mary is an amazing woman, so warm-hearted – it is always so much fun spending time with her. Therefore, I hopped on the plane in the beginning of October to attend her 10 Year Anniversary Party at MATCHESFASHION‘s newly opened retail space at 5 Carlos Place in London.
To celebrate the occasion, a limited edition collection was exclusively launched on MATCHESFASHION.COM. The capsule features 10 iconic looks from past collections, all reissued for this exclusive collaboration. And needless to say, I have most of the featured pieces in my closet. Here are a few examples:
Left: Caramolengo jewel-print silk dress (click here for the post from September 2011)
Right: Serendipity print crepe and chiffon mini dress (click here for the post from June 2011)
Left: Harp Hazzard printed silk-satin gown (click here for the previous post from May 2012)
Right: Powdy printed silk mini dress (click here for the previous post from December 2012)
Part of the exhibition: my beloved Jewel Tree dress from Mary’s F/W 2011 collection that I wore to her launch event with Longchamp at Collette in January 2012.
So divine: Mary Katrantzou S/S 2019
Also Mary’s S/S 2019 collection is celebrating 10 years of her eponymous label. It explores the urge to collect, catalogue and organise, infused with themes and motifs from Mary’s decade of designing. A collection of collections! Among the highlights is a dress inspired by her perfume-bottle dress from her first London fashion week collection.
Below you can enjoy some of my impressions from this amazing event. Amazing people gathered together from the world of art and fashion to celebrate our beloved Mary.
Favorite editor: Sarah Mower
With my lovely Federica Fanari
With another great designer Mira Mikati
Mary Katrantzou framed by Jasmine Hemsley and Candice Lake
With Mary Katranzou and jewellery designer Eugenie Niarchos (Venyx)
Girls in Mary: Magdalena Gabriel and me
Sandra Choi of Jimmy Choo
With Juliet Angus
The beautiful night ended at Annabel’s which is my favorite club in London… here with my gorgeous Brazilian friend Polyana Santos.
A little thank you note with lots of memories I made for Mary!
«The next decade,» Mary said, «is about taking the brand DNA and allowing men and women to buy into it in different ways, whether it’s homeware, jewellery or accessories.» No matter the medium, I am looking forward to having more Mary in my life!
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of MATCHESFASHION and © Sandra Bauknecht
