MY FASHIONABLE LIFE: ROKSANDA ILINCˇIC ´

THE FASHION DESIGNER ON WHY SHE DOESN’T BELIEVE IN SEASONS AND WHAT SHE LEARNED from HER MOTHER’S YSL DRESSES

The designer on the style lessons she’s learned and why she regrets ‘customising’ her mother’s YSL dresses as a teenager

MY school MUM’S in Belgrade STYLE MADE wearing ME bright SO PROUD. orange lipstick She’d pick and Yves me up Saint from Laurent. She showed me how to stand out with elegance and style. I LOVED DRESSING UP. I realised from an early age that it was a way to express yourself, and it could transport you to another universe. I ALWAYS THOUGHT KATE BUSH AND STEVIE NICKS WERE THE EPITOME OF COOL. I still use Kate Bush as a point of reference – and, if you call my studio now, her songs play while you’re on hold. I DON’T BELIEVE IN FASHION ‘MISTAKES’. A mistake for me would be sticking to rules that you have to follow. AS A TEEN, I REBELLED AGAINST MY MUM’S CLASSIC STYLE. I’d wear big Russian-style or harem trousers, and ruffles and bows with crazy prints. But now I’m more classic and appreciative of her look. GOING OUT WAS A BIG PART OF GROWING UP IN BELGRADE. The novelty of wearing something nobody had seen before was important. If I had nothing to wear to a party, I’d customise my mother’s Yves Saint Laurent pieces by cutting them in half. It took a while for her to forgive me. Eventually she did, but now, I don’t want to forgive myself. I SPENT MY FIRST PAY CHEQUE ON MARGIELA. When I was a student at Central Saint Martins, I modelled on the side. I bought a leather jacket and the now-cult hoof Tabi shoes. I learned early on that it’s important to build on a few pieces you love; to know your body shape, what suits you, your style and personality, then build upon that. I DON’T BELIEVE IN SEASONS. I have always valued the timeless element of fashion and I often wear things from years ago. EXPRESS YOURSELF. Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and Hussein Chalayan taught me how free you can be with fashion. I HADA SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH [THE LATE] LOUISE WILSON. She was my tutor at Saint Martins and an excellent mentor who sometimes knew me better than I knew myself. Having someone like that, at that moment in time, was life changing. It showed me the importance of people who make you strive for more. FASHION HAS TAUGHT ME TO MAKE SURE I ENJOY THE MOMENT. It’s also allowed me to express my views through clothing. CLOTHES SHOULD MAKE YOU FEEL DIFFERENT… Whether you’re in the office or on the red carpet. I always want people who wear my clothes to feel protected and empowered; a cloak of armour that takes them through their day and into night. The Roksanda x lululemon winter capsule collection is available at lululemon.co.uk and in select lululemon stores from 14 January