New Arrival: The Shapes of Roksanda Ilinčić

Roksanda Ilinčić's move to London in 1999 to study fashion design and construction at the prestigious Central Saint Martins was the beginning of what would come to be a colorful and successful career. She previously studied Architecture and Applied Arts in Belgrade and this is where her love of design and art sparked her need to create something more tangible.

Over a decade has passed and Roksanda not only has her own eponymous fashion label and childenswear line but recently opened up her first store on Mount Street in London’s West End. British architect, David Adjaye, known for designing homes for Alexanger McQueen and Juergen Teller, designed the store.

The store is modern and sleek with clean lines. The color palette is a muted gray, which juxtaposes the bright clothing perfectly. The floor’s zigzag pattern is visually arresting and based on the fashion designer’s love of geometry and symmetry in her designs. The coffered ceiling is a classic touch and a nod to Roksanda’s elegant design training while the walls are made from layered concrete that evokes an industrial feel inside the store.

Roksanda’s first fashion show was in 2003 at London Fashion Week and she quickly separated herself from the rest of the pack. Her design aesthetic is known for its dynamic and bold use of color, high quality fabrics, and classic silhouettes. Her designs are futuristic with retro undertones and her fabrics create a polished, modern look.  Roksanda has a legion of admirers as well including Kate Middleton, Anne Hathaway, Emma Stone, and Zoe Saldana.

The innovative designer also experiments with fabric technology using neoprene, silk-nylon jacquard, and laser cut techniques to heighten her designs. She borrows inspiration from her architecture background, playing with the shape and proportion of her clothing. This is evident in her Resort 2015 line where Roksanda uses her sculptural background to enhance the clothing.

She elevates drab garments such as the overcoat by reimagining it with extremely saturated colors and uses color blocking. She pushes the envelope by layering fabrics and playing with folding techniques in her long skirts and evening dresses.

Photography courtesy of Roksanda Ilinčić's