We had the chance to meet Andronikos Botsas, a talented young Greek jewelry designer who, despite calling London home, draws deep inspiration from the serene beauty and timeless charm of the Aegean Sea.
With every piece he creates, Andronikos brings the tranquil blues, the shimmering sunlight, and the rich heritage of his roots into the heart of his designs.
We explore how his journey from Greece to London has influenced his creative process, and the unique perspective he brings to the world of jewelry.
1. Tell us about your career path. What were some of your defining moments?
My career started very differently from what you would expect. I studied psychology in London during the time of the pandemic and later began working in academia and research.
In the years following the pandemic, I spent a lot of time working on myself and rediscovering my passions. Jewellery has always been at the core of who I am. Growing up, I was first introduced to the world of jewellery by my grandmother, who had designed an extensive collection of her own.
Over the years, I began using jewellery as a form of self-expression, collecting pieces from both small and large designers worldwide. While I discovered beautiful designs in both fine and fashion jewellery, I found that many semi-fine jewellery brands were not always as focused on design.
I wanted to create jewellery of a high quality using precious metals such as silver, with bold but timeless designs and a more affordable price point. And so, Feggeri was born.
2. What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?
I always envisioned Feggeri to be more than a jewellery brand – I wanted it to be a lifestyle, an experience, and a platform that celebrates Greek heritage. One of my biggest challenges was bringing this vision to life.
What helped me navigate this challenge was having a clear understanding of who the Feggeri wearer is. I wanted the people wearing my jewellery to feel beautiful, bold, strong, and empowered.
Feggeri is for the person who is unapologetically themselves and isn’t afraid to rock a unique piece of jewellery, whether paired with jeans or an evening dress. Keeping this in mind throughout our design and editorial process has allowed us to develop a more cohesive brand aesthetic.
3. Can you walk us through the process of creating a jewellery collection?
Each collection begins with a concept inspired by Greek culture, nature, and stories. Our first collection - Aegea, pays homage to the Aegean Sea and was inspired by a sea urchin brooch that my grandmother designed.
Working as part of a very skilled design team in conjunction with our manufacturer atelier, we expand on these initial concepts. An initial jewellery design is sketched out. Often, multiple versions of each design are made. We consider many factors such as wearability, weight and comfort.
There is a lot of back and forth in the design throughout this process, as some designs might not be as practical in person or possible to craft. Once we have decided on a design, a 3D model is rendered. From this, we are then able to make the moulds used to make our jewellery.
Each piece is then individually hand poured, plated, and often set with semi-precious stones.
4. What is a typical day like?
As a small business owner, you have to wear many hats. One day you’re working with the production team to create a new collection, and the next you’re putting together a concept for a shoot. This variety is what I love the most about my job.
In your day to day life, it is important to find a work - life balance. In the mornings I like to go on runs as I find it clears my mind and prepares me for a busy day ahead. I also spend some time every day meditating.
I believe it is important to take a moment to ourselves, and to find moments of mindfulness.
In terms of work, everyday tasks vary. I try to split my workday into a few smaller blocks, focusing on specific tasks in each. This could include doing admin work such as responding to emails or logistics, and helping pack and send out orders.
On other occasions, I get to do more creative work, working on new ideas for designs, creating content for social media, or having calls with my design, manufacturing and photoshoot teams.
Some days are busier than others, but I always try to keep my evenings free to unwind - whether that’s catching up with friends, going to the theatre, taking a walk around Central London, or simply watching the sunset.
5. What do you love about your job?
There are so many things I love about my job. One of the most significant aspects is the fact that I am creating something that will leave a lasting impact. I grew up admiring Ancient Greek jewellery in museums, and I can only hope that one day my work will be viewed with the same reverence.
I truly believe that jewellery is more than just metal—it's a way for people to carry memories, moments, people, and places with them. I am so grateful to be part of that process.
I also love that no two days are the same. As the director of the brand, I am constantly learning, evolving and collaborating with people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
6. Who have been your biggest mentors in this industry, and what is the best advice they have ever given you?
One of my biggest mentors and introduction to the world of luxury fashion has been Anna Paola, founder and creative director of Paolita. A piece of advice that really stuck with me was to not be afraid of asking for help from people.
Starting your own brand, there’s a lot of things you will be unfamiliar with at first - setting up a business and the process of launching a collection, being a couple of them. Don’t be afraid of reaching out to a more established brand, friends or family for assistance.
7. If you could go back and tell yourself one thing before beginning your career, what would it be?
If I could go back and give myself advice at the start of this journey, it would be to be patient, keep pushing forward, and trust that everything will work out. There will be moments of frustration, and although many things may seem new, you will learn over time.
The journey of lessons never really ends when you're starting a brand; it’s a continual process that I’m still experiencing today.
