Embracing Greek heritage: Zeus+Δione/3rd outfit

I always believed that life begins over again with the summer. It's the time when you are not required to be who everyone thinks you are, feeling quiet and grateful with no eyes on you and no past. Summer opens the door and lets you out. 

Wearing my Zeus+Δione 'Athena' kaftan, lost in a beautiful Greek beach gazing at a sunset smeared with too much color feeling full and happy, I decided to upload my favorite post in the heart of the summer! 

Every photo reveals a different emotion, captured in a scenery and at the particular time of the day that the tired brightest star goes to bed… That time that the rest of the human creatures can admire its glow and its majesty, and by stealing some of it's power it's their time to start dreaming!

"Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or bring storms, but to add colors to my sunset sky."

Enjoy a perfect summer full of beautiful sunsets unfolding in front of your hearts and your eyes!!!

'ATHENA' textured silk long kaftan with lace by Zeus + Δione, 'HEPHAESTUS' handmade leather flat sandals by Zeus+Δione, 'PANDORA' sand knitted cotton fringed bag by Zeus+Δione, handmade contemporary jewellery by Rallou Katsari
You can also shop the Zeus+Δione collection online atMATCHESFASHION.COM

Photos by LYDIA KOUKOU

 Editing by Andy Tsivanidou 

Embracing Greek heritage: Zeus+Δione/1st outfit

As you all know this is not a personal outfit blog!!! This is more like a fashion moodboard, sharing with you everything that attracts me and inspires me.

My country, Greece, has always been a constant inspiration for me and the place where my heart sings in appreciation for every breath; I feel tolerant, joyful, and loving.

This post in addition to the other two following are dedicated to the beautiful colors and places of this country and to a Greek brand, Zeus+Δione, that pays homage to the handcrafting heritage and rich style legacy of its homeland. Named after the parent of the ancient Greek goddess Aphrodite, Zeus+Δione is a company based on a myth and creating one at the same time. Selective and handpicked manufacturers and small workshops from all over Greece are sourced to offer us a collection of hand made, high quality products based on refined craftsmanship with modern design elements.

In my first post I chose to wear my favorite beige 'Sophia' silk blouse (made of Soufli silk) with rope details, 'Alcestis' pants made of silk and lined with silk georgette, my summer essential handmade 'Hephaestus' leather flat sandals, and the 'Pandora' hand knitted crochet bag. 

Those beautiful handmade contemporary jewellery I am wearing are by a very talented Greek designer and friend of mine, Rallou Katsari. The gold plated pendant from the 'drop by drop' collection is the piece I cannot live without and upgrades my outfits with its glow and its beauty!!!

The soft feel of the silk against my skin, the sun, the endless blue and the company of my beloved ones on that day made me recall what Odysseas Elytis once wrote: "Bliss is not subtractable".

Photos by LYDIA KOUKOU
Editing by Andy Tsivanidou and Rallou Katsari

'A Jewel Made in Greece' exhibition

The exhibition “A Jewel Made in Greece” held in February 2014 at Technopolis, brought together for about a week most of the greatest modern Greek jewelry artists. The idea and the implementation belongs to the visual designer Mary Samoli. The exhibition has been curated  by the distinguished art historian Iris Kritikou.

In the industrial cultural venue of Technopolis Gazi in Athens, 26 contemporary jewelers, along with seven Greek museums and six famous goldsmiths who pioneered the export of Greek jewelry worldwide united their powers to showcase today's art jewelry, its roots in Greek culture and promote its image overseas. The exhibition attracted more than 3000 visitors, who all admired and got inspired by the young and more experienced art jewelers who presented their collections with passion proving that creativity and art cannot be defeated by the economic crisis. For more info and updates on the work of those contemporary jewelers you can visit 'A Jewel Made in Greece' Facebook page here. Below you will find photos of the exhibition and my 3 favorites designers (plus their Facebook pages), whose jewels are associated with a story or a person connected to my heart!

 RALLOU KATSARI

POLINA SAPOUNA-ELLIS

DOLLY BOUCOYANNIS

Photos by LYDIA KOUKOU

Polina Sapouna-Ellis Convertible Jewelry - The presentation

 There has always been a debate regarding fashion being a true art form. There are some fashion pieces or some trends that can tell you the way people used to express themselves in a specific period, but there are some other pieces that their beauty is timeless and you can definitely say that they are a decorative art. 

That was my first thought when I had a closer look at Polina Sapouna-Ellis' jewelry two weeks ago at Salon De Bricolage. When I had a chat with her I could easily realize why.

Polina is an archaeologist by training and her life among invaluable treasures of ancient Greek art, as well as her own need to create, led her to her true passion :jewelry design.

When I asked her about her work and inspiration she stated: 

“My approach to jewellery design stems from the architectural perspective. SYMMETRIA, the ancient Greek concept of counterbalance is fundamental. I believe in the power of geometry. As an archaeologist, ancient Greek shapes and motifs permeate my designs. The collections DORIAN, MEANDER or ANTITHESIS are triggered by the austere simplicity of ancient Greek norms. The simplicity of clean geometrical shapes inspires and intrigues me, while it lends minimalistic and often futuristic elements to many of my creations. I view each piece of jewellery as a sculpture, a small structure born out of a concept, urging me to define how it will invade space; should it be large or small, shiny, matte, timid, assertive.I want my jewellery to be dynamic and often transformable, convertible to accommodate one’s mood".

It was an amazing chat, a beautiful and inspiring night with gorgeous people admiring those "small" pieces of art! You can already find Polina's jewelry in museums and shops worldwide, but it's just the beginning! I am sure that her name and her creations carrying and depicting the Greek spirit and history will soon concur the world! 

ps: for more updates and inspiration follow her Facebook page and her instagram page: @polinasapounaellis2013

Photos by LYDIA KOUKOU