What does Roksanda Ilincic listen to while she works? "A lot of female singers like Grimes and Kate Bush, but also techno." This is the designer whose dresses have been worn by Rooney Mara and Lady Gaga but also by Michelle Obama. With their instantly recognizable voluminous silhouettes and flawless construction, Roksanda's pieces straddle the line between polish and pure, no-holds-barred fun. And speaking to Roksanda, you get the impression that she too is equally at home at a well-heeled function as she is at her local London pub. The Belgrade-born designer can conjure enthusiasm for everything and anything, and the results are always unexpected.
Harry stopped by Roksanda's studio in Dalston last week to check out the spring collection. And, later the same day, I called up the designer to talk about everything from baby clothes to Beth Ditto.
Shop all Roksanda Ilincic here.
Images by Harry Carr
Alice Newell-Hanson: Hi, Roksanda! Where are you right now and what are you working on?
Roksanda Ilincic: I’m in the studio working on pre-Fall and the main collection for February. No break for me!
ANH: Where in London is your studio?
RI: Right on the border between Dalston and Shoreditch, on the canal. It’s pretty busy right now, but not as busy as it was before the show!
ANH: Congratulations on the spring collection! What were you thinking about when you designed it?
RI: Thank you! I started with two artists who are kind of opposite. One is Josef Albers. I took a strong sense of masculinity from his work and his color palette. I like the subtle details in his paintings: all the different shades of yellow, for example. The bright oranges, yellow, and white came directly from his work, as well as all the different fabrics like the laminated tweeds. On the other hand, there was Niki de Saint Phalle, this strong, free, and very inspirational woman. Her work brings more femininity, experimentation, and curves into the collection. It’s really the two worlds mixed together.
ANH: How did you celebrate once the show was over?
RI: Our shows are normally in the morning so I take my staff out for a big lunch. This time we went to this very colorful restaurant in Dalston. It has a really fun mix of music, kind of like Arabian Nights mixed with classical! The girls continued way into the evening.
ANH: Outside of Fashion Week, what’s your daily routine like?
RI: We start at the studio at around 10am and work very late. It’s good because I have time in the morning; I can work or spend time with my daughter.
ANH: I love that your daughter inspired the color-blocking in the pre-fall collection!
RI: Yes, she did—with her Lego! That also inspired me to start Blossom, my children's line. So now I’m in my 30s and off doing a baby range!
ANH: Is there an affinity with your womenswear?
RI: Yes, they're all like mini-me's! The pieces are simplified but they have the same spirit.
ANH: Is your daughter interested in fashion?
RI: She is very particular about what shoes she wears! She loves wearing her Wellington boots because that means going to the park and having fun. I don’t know if that’s an obsession with fashion, though. To be honest, I hope not! She definitely has a
Harry stopped by Roksanda's studio in Dalston last week to check out the spring collection. And, later the same day, I called up the designer to talk about everything from baby clothes to Beth Ditto.
Shop all Roksanda Ilincic here.
Images by Harry Carr
Alice Newell-Hanson: Hi, Roksanda! Where are you right now and what are you working on?
Roksanda Ilincic: I’m in the studio working on pre-Fall and the main collection for February. No break for me!
ANH: Where in London is your studio?
RI: Right on the border between Dalston and Shoreditch, on the canal. It’s pretty busy right now, but not as busy as it was before the show!
ANH: Congratulations on the spring collection! What were you thinking about when you designed it?
RI: Thank you! I started with two artists who are kind of opposite. One is Josef Albers. I took a strong sense of masculinity from his work and his color palette. I like the subtle details in his paintings: all the different shades of yellow, for example. The bright oranges, yellow, and white came directly from his work, as well as all the different fabrics like the laminated tweeds. On the other hand, there was Niki de Saint Phalle, this strong, free, and very inspirational woman. Her work brings more femininity, experimentation, and curves into the collection. It’s really the two worlds mixed together.
ANH: How did you celebrate once the show was over?
RI: Our shows are normally in the morning so I take my staff out for a big lunch. This time we went to this very colorful restaurant in Dalston. It has a really fun mix of music, kind of like Arabian Nights mixed with classical! The girls continued way into the evening.
ANH: Outside of Fashion Week, what’s your daily routine like?
RI: We start at the studio at around 10am and work very late. It’s good because I have time in the morning; I can work or spend time with my daughter.
ANH: I love that your daughter inspired the color-blocking in the pre-fall collection!
RI: Yes, she did—with her Lego! That also inspired me to start Blossom, my children's line. So now I’m in my 30s and off doing a baby range!
ANH: Is there an affinity with your womenswear?
RI: Yes, they're all like mini-me's! The pieces are simplified but they have the same spirit.
ANH: Is your daughter interested in fashion?
RI: She is very particular about what shoes she wears! She loves wearing her Wellington boots because that means going to the park and having fun. I don’t know if that’s an obsession with fashion, though. To be honest, I hope not! She definitely has a