Greek is famous for its ancient art and culture and has nurtured well-established fashion designers whose work is much-admired at home and abroad. Here’s a little profile of the nine best Greek designers who have achieved celebrity.
Maria Katrantzou
Born and reared in Athens, Maria Katrantzou went to the Rhode Island School of Design to study architecture before settling in London. She went to Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design, where she received her BA and MA in fashion.
She involved herself in the creative side of the business shortly after graduating, and her collection was chosen to launch CSM’s graduate program in 2008.
Later, she was considered for the L’Oreal Professional Award and the Harrods Award. Since then, she has partnered with other designers and businesses, like Topshop, and has even created a line of bags for Longchamp. She has also displayed her collections during London Fashion Week.
One of the main successes of her career was the collection of lamp skirts shown at London Fashion Week for the summer/spring 2011 season.
He created a Topshop capsule collection in the same year, and during the British Fashion Council showrooms in London, he debuted his collection in Los Angeles for the first time. There are currently more than 100 stockists for this talented young designer worldwide. See also most luxurious british brands
Sophia Kokosalaki
Sophia Kokosalaki, born in Athens in 1974, began drawing dresses as a child. She then enrolled at the University of Athens to study literature. Still, she never forgot her early obsession, selling a small collection of hand-sewn dresses at a boutique in Athens after graduation.
In 1997, he enrolled at Central Saint Martins School of Fashion, achieving such notoriety among his peers that his graduation collection was selected to be shown at Pellicano in London. She then launched her own company in 1 and collaborated with luxury Italian leather house Ruffo explore.
She was chosen to design the ceremonial costumes for the 2004 Summer Olympics’ opening and closing ceremonies, a task that required two years of research on traditional dress from every region of Greece. She is a proud Greek.
Kokosalaki has garnered numerous awards for his work, including the New Generation Designer Award in 2004 and the 2002 Art Foundation Award for Fashion. She is currently based in London and is still giving her name to the company. Her designs have a fresh, contemporary appeal and are distinguished by traditional Greek drapery.
Panos Papadopoulos
Panos Papadopoulos, the founder, designer, and businessman behind Panos Emporio AB, a renowned beachwear and clothing brand in Scandinavia, is called the “swimsuit king.” He was born in Athens in 1958.
In addition to being well-known for his work as a fashion designer, Papadoupoulos has served as the Miss Sweden pageant’s manager since 2005. He oversaw the elimination of the customary swimsuit contest.
He made certain adjustments to emphasize the participants’ inner qualities more than their outward appearances.
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Tina Kalivas
Greek-Australian Tina Kalivas is the woman behind the costumes for famous movies like Last Knights, Die Another Day (for no less than 8 evening dresses for a particular scene), Australia, and Goemon.
This designer is known in both fashion and film and carries her own eponymous brand alongside her film work. Her aesthetic was solidified in London, where she learned at the London College of Fashion and lived for several years after graduation.
In May 2002, Kalivas moved to Australia to launch her own label with her first collection of conceptual, modern, and feminine clothing.
A prolific designer always on the lookout for her next project, Kalivas collaborated with Kookai Australia and served as a uniform designer for the Sydney Hilton Hotel.
Her line always has something to say, and ethnicity is a recurring theme, which is not surprising to fashion designers born in Greece, England, and Australia.
Angelos Frentzos
Born in Athens in 1972, Angelos Frentzos graduated in 1992 from the Athens School of Fine Arts and began working as a print designer.
Teaming up with designer Sophia Kokosalaki, he created a collection of clothing inspired by the New Age music era. He then studied Fashion and Textile Design at Central Saint Martins, where he graduated from 1.
In 2001, he presented his own first collection at Milan Fashion Week, launching his namesake label later that year and, 12 months later, a menswear collection as well.
Frentzos won first prize in textiles in the Lycra Dupont competition in 2003, and in 2004, he restructured his company by signing a production and distribution license with an Italian company.
Frentzos designs are bold and modern, creating a youthful couture statement influenced by tradition and roots while maintaining a fresh attitude.
Ioannis Guia
Born in Greece, Ioannis Guia began his fashion career in Athens, channeling his design degree (earned at Veloudakis Fashion School) with his Master’s in History at the University of Athens into a career as a freelance stylist for many ready-to-wear companies.
Porter until 1991. Moving to Paris in 1993, he studied Historical Anthropology, and a few years later, he finally created GUIA LLC in 1. He has been presenting his collections every season during Paris and Milan Fashion Week since 2000.
Its luxury line, made exclusively in France, demonstrates great attention to detail; Guia had the honor of exhibiting some of his creations for the occasion of the Jouer La Lumière at the Louvre Museum in 2002-2003 and again at the New Generation of Fashion Designers in Paris at the Galliera Museum in 2002.
Athena Procopiou
UK-based Athena Procopiou began her career as a pianist but later went to London to learn illustration and graphic design and, again, Central Saint Martins. And suppose you don’t believe in fairy tales.
In that case, you should start now because she launched Procopiou with just a collection of capsule scarves, which she met with such immediate success that she quickly added lightweight kimonos and kaftans.
Her line was later expanded to include dresses and swimwear. Famous for her bohemian-chic designs, Procopiou works with quality silks, cashmere, and modals to create feminine designs. Every season, her new products are enthusiastically received by loyal fans.
Lydia Vousvouni
Like many other designers before her, Athens-born Lydia Vousvouni moved to London to study fashion at Central Saint Martins.
After graduating, she stayed in London and worked as part of the design team at Marios Schwab and Aquascutum, as well as Chloé and Loewe in Paris.
But after meeting Mareva Grabowski and Mimika Kolotoura, the team behind Greek fashion label Zeus + Dione, she moved to Athens and became the brand’s head designer.
The choice was bold, but it paid off: Vousvouni managed to prove that age is just a number, creating looks that embody the traditions of Greece without making them look like stage costumes.
Celia Dragouni
Best known for her bridal creations, designer Celia Dragouni, is inspired by vintage fabrics and vintage embroideries she finds when she travels.
After studying in London for a BA from Chelsea College of Art and Design, she moved to Paris to study Fashion and Textile Design. She then attended Parsons School of Design and worked at Sonya Rykiel in Paris.
In 2004, however, he gave up and created his own brand, Celia D. Her wedding dresses are lightweight and crafted with airy materials like silk satin, tulle, lace, and chiffon.
The rest of her creations are infused with colors and patterns and are perfect for the bohemian fashionista.
Conclusion
All of the luxury brands showcased above, whether international or Greek, represent a great example of how small businesses can be successful.
Sometimes this success comes as an international powerhouse brand; other times, it can come from engaging in niche markets and serving them to the best of your ability.
Luxury is not all about clothes, jewelry, and shoes but also about the customer experience and the feel of certain brands.
