Rita Ora’s Albanian Roots and Punk Fashion Evolution: From Kosovo to Marc Jacobs Heels

Rita Ora was born to Albanian parents on November 26, 1990, in Pristina, SFR Yugoslavia (modern-day Kosovo). Her mother, Vera, is a psychiatrist, and her father, Besnik, owns a pub. Rita grew up in London after her family relocated when she was a child.

Rita Ora was born in Pristina, now part of modern-day Kosovo, and raised in the UK (Credit: PixieMe / Shutterstock)

Her original surname, Sahatçiu, is derived from the Turkish word saatçi, meaning “watchmaker.” To make it easier to pronounce, the family later adopted “Ora,” the Albanian word for “time.”

Ora has proudly spoken about her heritage, saying she feels deeply connected to her roots. In 2015, then-president Atifete Jahjaga appointed her an honorary ambassador to Kosovo, a moment she described as “overwhelming.”

Rita Ora stuns in a metallic, thigh-slit gown alongside her mother, Vera Sahatçiu, a Kosovo-born psychiatrist, at a red carpet event (Credit: Famous / Ace Pictures / INSTARimages)

Reflecting on her family’s move to the UK, she once said:

“My parents brought us here with the hope and the dream that we could get a decent education. I grew up in Britain, a country that has given me so much, but I will always have a special place in my heart for my hometown and Kosovo.”

Rita Ora wears a sleek navy cutout dress as she poses with Lirim Greiçevci, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo, during her 2015 honorary ambassadorship ceremony in London (Credit: Ian West / PA Images / Startraksphoto)

Ora’s ethnic identity has occasionally sparked debate. Over the years, she has faced accusations of “blackfishing” for wearing styles like cornrows and laid baby hairs — choices some critics viewed as cultural appropriation. In interviews, Ora has said she draws inspiration from a variety of cultures in her fashion and beauty choices.

The incident sparked broader conversations around fashion, identity, and where appreciation crosses into appropriation, especially when it comes to white celebrities adopting traditionally black aesthetics.

Rita Ora’s Punky Marc Jacobs Look at the 2016 VMAs: A Look at the Singer’s Edgy Fashion Evolution

We’ve seen Rita Ora dress elegantly for her appearances on America’s Next Top Model and in sporty Rita x Adidas Originals looks.

It turns out Rita can do punk, too. The singer donned an edgy head-to-toe Marc Jacobs look for the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City.

Rita Ora pulls her hair back into a spiked bun at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards held on August 29, 2016, in New York City (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN)

The pop star wore a look straight from the Marc Jacobs Fall 2016 runway, which featured a mesh-and-appliqué dress with a two-tone feather panel worn over lace underwear.

Rita Ora wears a punk-themed Marc Jacobs ensemble composed of leather, lace, feathers, fur, and sheer fabric (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN)

Rita took the look further with a leather jacket that featured fur trim at the shoulders and embellishments at the back.

Rita Ora shows off the embellished back of her fur-trimmed leather jacket from Marc Jacobs (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN)

The fashionable singer completed the look with ridiculously tall Marc Jacobs “Lili” platform heels, elevating her 5 feet 5 ½ inches (166.4 cm) height.

Rita Ora towers in dramatic Marc Jacobs “Lili” platform heels featuring bold multiple straps and sky-high block soles (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN)

Rita seemed to be oozing with self-confidence at MTV’s backstage snippets, so we think it’s safe to say that the then-25-year-old was feeling her punk-inspired outfit.

Check out Rita working the camera right before the 2016 MTV VMAs kicked off.

The Marc Jacobs “Lili” platform pumps are not for the faint-hearted. While this exact style is now sold out, you can browse the designer’s latest bold designs on Mytheresa.