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/2nd outfit

Wandering with my beloved friends around our secret place in Vouliagmeni area in my handweaved Zeus+Δione 'Phryne' kaftan, I suddenly felt an inner strength, like a tolerant woman who is not afraid to fall and stand up again. I felt like an ancient Greek goddess on the rocks by the deep blue sea, shaking myself from the dusts of the past and being ready to rise with passion, and fight with faith for my present and my future. 

It is incredible how a piece of clothing can transform your mood and your personality, create a story around you and crown you your fairytale's heroine. 

“Ruin, eldest daughter of Zeus, she blinds us all, that fatal madness—she with those delicate feet of hers, never touching the earth, gliding over the heads of men to trap us all. She entangles one man, now another.” 

― Homer, The Iliad

'PHRYNE' handweaved embroidered kaftan with trimming details by Zeus+Δione, 'HEPHAESTUS' handmade leather flat sandals by Zeus+Δione, 'ORB' woven straw sunhat by Zeus+Δione, handmade contemporary jewellery by Rallou Katsari
You can also shop the Zeus+Δione collection online at MATCHESFASHION.COM

Photos by LYDIA KOUKOU

Editing by Andy Tsivanidou and Rallou Katsari

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

Antonia Karra: Arm party full of braided inspirations!!!

 

When i first saw Antonia Karra's friendship bracelets it felt like love at first sight! Being a huge fun of arm parties and loving different colors, shapes, beads and textures blended together during the sun kissed days of summer i noticed that these bracelets have something unique to say, it was the piece that could give that extra touch and make my'party' the one that everyone would remember!

Meeting the designer during the 'Fun in the sun' event at Bettina boutique, i realized that Antonia Karra creates pieces that reflect her sense of adventure and love of life!

Inspired by her travels around the world AK collection is a mix of different cultures and styles sprinkled with a bohemian touch.
It all started last June during her trip to NY where she noticed all around her the arm party trend and she got influenced by Man Repeller's addiction to arm candies. As soon as she got back she started creating her own friendship bracelets and after posting herself wearing them on facebook she found out that there was a huge demand for her creations. So, she found herself creating her own fashion business!
When I asked her about her talent and how she learned to knit and bead these little arm treasures, she stated: " I was taught the handcraft of knitting by my darling grandmother. Under her loving watchful eye I pulled myself through knitting puzzles of ever increasing complexity. What started as a game to occupy my restless child’s mind soon became a habit of nature. Visions of golden Greek sunsets, the eye- soothing blue of the sea just a step away from our summer house are an endless inspiration'".

My favorite one, is the blue frayed one as seen on the second pic (taken by me :-)). In my opinion what makes AK bracelets unique is the quality of the materials she uses -silk yarns- that when knitted and blended together they have a smooth and luxurious feel. I guess that's the point when the essence of luxury is getting synonymous to hippie chic! 

You can find Antonia's bracelets at Bettina boutique, Gee list boutiques, starbags.gr and soon an exclusive capsule collection will be available for you to buy at queen Calliope e-shop!

Pick your favorite one and keep in mind that: Summer should be an endless colorful party full of surprises!

Photos via Antonia Karra-Makios facebook page

We Create Harmony: The Rice Co event

‘We Create Harmony’ , a greek initiative, is an online platform that promotes young and/ or up and coming designers in the fashion industry on an international level. Anyone who buys a product from the platform automatically donates 5% of its price for every Brand and 10% for the We Create Harmony Brand to a cause or campaign related to unemployment. 

Last week they introduced a new brand on board ,The Rice Co shoes, so we had the chance to visit 'We Create Harmony' headquarters in Athens, where all WCH products and designers were displayed, plus MyBanana (with the coolest gadgets) and Vintage Eyeshop (with an extraordinary selection of vintage glasses worldwide)!!!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so you can tell we had a great evening full of fashion, hope, and pride for the initiatives and the creativity of young people booming in Greece after a long time!

Visit their website, find, shop and support your favorite designers whose creations are a must and on top of every fashionista's wish-list! Even being at their headquarters we had the chance to see and buy instantly online our favorite pieces from a really cool brand list (which is growing day by day):

Valia Gabriel, Utopia Elena.k, Sun of a Beach, Wildwood, Zina G, Milk and Honey, Lito, and Pink Sands to name a few.

 I also loved their new baby, The Rice Co shoes, so comfy and stylish that can add this effortlessly cool touch in every outfit, either paired with cut offs and chinos, or maxi summer dresses.

I am really proud and excited about this new project and way of 'buying' and supporting will and creativity! I wish the best of luck to "We Create Harmony" team!

What are you waiting for? Buying with a good cause is just one click away!!!  

Photos by LYDIA KOUKOU