Australian Fashion Designer Effie Katsaounis Announces Birth of First Child
Australian fashion designer Effie Katsaounis has welcomed her first child, a baby girl named Roza, with husband James Cerolini. The 35-year-old Melbourne-based designer shared the joyous news on Instagram this Sunday, posting a heartfelt and detailed account of her birthing experience and the special meaning behind her daughter's unique name.
Heartfelt Announcement and Birthing Experience
In her lengthy Instagram post, Effie Katsaounis revealed that while the birthing process didn't unfold exactly as she and her husband had imagined, they were absolutely elated with the arrival of their daughter. 'Roza (Ρόζα) Cerolini ❤️ 20.01.26,' she began her announcement. 'The proudest moment of my life was bringing you into the world. Even though it didn't happen the way we imagined, you are everything we could have hoped for and so much more.'
The fashion mogul went on to explain the beautiful story behind her daughter's distinctive name, which pays tribute to Greek heritage and musical tradition. 'Roza is named after one of the most prolific Greek songs of all time,' Effie explained in her post.
The Meaning Behind the Name Roza
Effie shared the touching moment when she and James discovered what would become their daughter's name. 'Earlier this year, James and I were in our villa in Bali when he played this song,' she recounted. 'I recognised it immediately and its lyrics about strength and resilience; a tribute to someone who stands out, someone real, strong, and unforgettable... but I never knew the name of it.'
'I called out to James and said what is the name of this song and he answered, "Roza". I knew in that moment this was your name and it was always your song,' the new mother wrote, capturing the emotional significance of the naming decision.
Celebrity Congratulations and Support
The announcement prompted an outpouring of congratulations from Effie's celebrity friends and fashion industry colleagues. Former AFL WAG Nadia Bartel wrote enthusiastically: 'I can't!!! She is the most perfect little angel! Welcome to our new bestie.'
Bec Judd added her warm wishes: 'She's a mama! Congrats @effiekats @jamescerolini Beautiful news x.' Kate Waterhouse simply stated: 'Beautiful news. Congratulations xx,' while Rozalia Russian expressed: 'Gorgeous girl can't wait for cuddles.'
Previous Pregnancy Challenges and Announcement
The birth comes several months after Effie experienced a medical emergency during her pregnancy. In October last year, she shared a photo from hospital on Instagram, explaining she needed to 'rest and reset' after what she described as a 'reminder to slow down.'
'The past few days of my pregnancy have been a reminder to slow down and prioritise health, mine and the baby's,' she wrote at the time, reassuring fans that 'everything is ok' while emphasizing that 'pregnancy looks different for everyone, and it's not always straightforward.'
Effie first announced her pregnancy in August last year, sharing a gallery of precious photos on social media that included tender moments of her cradling her growing baby bump and James gently touching her pregnant belly. The couple also shared an ultrasound image, revealing their baby was due in January. 'Have kept this little one a secret for a while now. Feeling beyond excited for our next chapter,' she wrote at the time.
Background on the Fashion Designer and Her Marriage
Effie Katsaounis is a popular Melbourne-based fashion designer who dresses numerous A-list celebrities including Nadia Bartel, Carrie Bickmore, Kelly Rowland, and Rebecca Judd. She married finance broker James Cerolini in November 2023 in a lavish Melbourne ceremony at St Patrick's Cathedral, with their opulent reception held at State Library Victoria. The society couple had originally gotten engaged back in 2021 during Covid lockdown restrictions.
The arrival of baby Roza marks a significant new chapter for the designer and her husband, who have now expanded their family with their first child. The heartfelt announcement and subsequent celebrity congratulations highlight the close-knit fashion and social circles in which Effie moves, while her honest sharing about the birthing experience and pregnancy challenges resonates with many expecting parents.
