1.Your 'Klotho''' collection is excellent. What motivated you to enter into the world of fashion?
-I have been in love with art and fashion ever since I was a little girl.So what I tried to do is creatively bring them together. My source of inspiration lies on the long lived and incredibly rich cretan art, craft and culture whose branch is the art of weaving.
Loom weaving has been considered a sacred art since the Minoan times. So when I found myself, totally by coincidence, at the weaving studio of St.Irene’s monastery in Rethymno I really got astounded. Those nuns created little masterpieces on the loom. “Wow! That’s something I want to try, experiment on “ I thought. I want to make a dress, totally woven and embroidered on the loom, of high quality and unique aesthetics.A special garment of artistic value and modern design addressed to the contemporary woman.
2.You started your own business in the middle of crisis. Why?
-Well, that was a bold and really risky decision to make. But I feel so confident about my project’s potential and work on it so passionately that I think no crisis could ever hold me back.
3. What is Crete ? Just an amazing place for holidays or something more than that?
-Well, as I am half cretan, Crete for me is so much more than an amazing place for holidays.I bear wonderful memories of my childhood summers in Rethymno.On top of that Crete is a never ending source of inspiration. The smells, the sun, the roughness of the mountains and the serenity of the blue sea, the Venetian monuments, the Minoan frescoes, all add up to my creative attitude.
As a woman on the other hand, Crete is an island I cherish and respect.It is the place I met my husband, made my own family, raise my children.
4.Thinking out of the box is for you?
-I am fond of unconventional minds and unconventional acts. It was my choice to bring forward the old, almost extinct, technique of loom weaving and try to make a fashion statement based on this technique.I was aware of the difficulties and the skepticism that such a project would arouse but I was also convinced that there is future in taking our tradition a step further that I all heartedly took up the challenge
5. Are you the type of character who would swim against the stream or would you rather be on the safe side?
-Well, If that answers your question, I left a stable job in the public sector a couple of years ago, to make my dreams come true. I started my own business in the middle of a very nasty economic situation. I feel happier and more fulfilled than ever to take so much positive feedback and to see my business grow day after day.
6. How does it feel to be a successful designer, a modern wife and a mother of 4 kids?
-My life is full of action and positive energy nourished by creativity in my job, my husband’s support and my four children’s love.I feel really blessed at the end of the day, even If the fatigue is so unbearable, most of the times, that I think I will collapse.
7. What is the biggest obstacle -from your point of view- about being productive and successful in Greece?
-No doubt the state itself is the biggest obstacle about being productive in Greece. Beaurocracy and heavy taxes are real drawbacks for people who want to invest, produce and take this country a step further.
8. Are you an optimist person? Do you think there is light in the end of the tunnel eventually?
-I thank God I am an optimist person, sometimes more that can be justified by the circumstances.I can’t stand misery and defeatism. I believe in Greek people. We have filotimo, we work hard, we are resourceful and determined to make things work, we are out-hearted, we live under a bright sun and a blue sky that fills our lives with positive vibes. I don’t know how soon but we will definitely see light at the end of the tunnel.
9. Future plans or dreams waiting to come true?
-Personally I would love to see my brand flourish and commercially expand even more and,why not, be globally identified as a fashion brand aligned with cretan weaving.
10.The secret of being so creative like you?
-I will paraphrase the well known song and say “love can make the world go round”.
Love for what we do, “eros” as the Greeks say, can launch someone’s creativity.