It
was like a huge party, with music and shows and so many people there! But it
was also extremely tiring and it soaked up all my energy. I wasn’t eating,
sleeping or resting, so I really needed to take a moment to relax and unwind
after it was done, that is why I’m posting this now. There were also some
technical issues but you don’t need to care about that. I just know now that I
can’t rely on anybody and that I need to take care of everything myself the
next time-like I usually do.
Anyway,
let’s get into the post, shall we?
Fittings
We
were also invited to the fittings of some of the designers, before the actual
fashion week. It was so nice to see all the designers working, some unfinished
pieces and meeting all the models. I thought it would be nice to interview some
of them-just for you!
Side Projects
Outside
the place where the shows took place, the event planners decided to let some
people show their accessories and unique creations for the fashion crowd.
Sunnies, jewelry and much more, complimented the entire event beautifully.
Day #1
Athens
Exclusive Designers Week started dynamically once again. Designers, bloggers,
reporters and many more people of the industry from around the world gathered
in the capital of Greece to celebrate fashion, exchange ideas and be a part of
this big creative party that Fashion Week is about.
On
the first day, both international and local designers presented their
collections for Spring and Summer 2016
in so many different takes, styles and alterations.
Eleni Kyriakou was clearly inspired by ancient Greek architecture.
The models were hypothetical statues, dressed in colorful dresses. The water
and air elements also played a big part in the collection with the flowy
fabrics, but also since the dresses were presented wet the second time.
Vasilije Kovačev mainly focused on pastels paired with neutrals and
edgy lines paired with feminine elements. Warm terracotta colors brought the
old-school shirts and blouses to life and upgraded the classic office look. The
designer wasn’t afraid to experiment with different textures and lines.
Sequins, leather and tulle together with the signature appliqué flowers.
LEON presented his first complete collection and dazzled
the crowd. With three previous mini (new designer) collections, he surely lived
up to the expectations and gained many more fans. Polka dots in many different
designs, vintage looking co-ords with contemporary accessories, tutus, stripes,
lace, blush colors and bohemian vibes were his main focus. It was such a vivid
and interesting collection, something highly anticipated from a young designer
like himself.
Boško Jakovljević was only focused in menswear. We saw classic yet crazy
and colorful suits but also some more sporty looks. He used vibrant colors,
polka dots, stripes and an interesting graphic printed fabric. If someone wants
to take his look one step further, he should definitely take a look at the designer’s
latest collection.
Kathy Heyndels created a stunning collection, as always. The designer
chose to present the current fall-winter collection instead of the spring one,
but that is something that many designers choose to do. It was full black and
white, but boring is not the word to describe it. Glamorous, edgy and sexy are
a far better fit. The designer used leather, fur, fringe, lace and fishnet,
experimented with stripes and glitter and presented some very elegant wedding dresses.
#Day 2
We all went there with our
hopes up for the upcoming shows. And we had every right to do so. All the
creations were wonderfully put together and it was obvious that the designers
had worked with a lot of love and passion. Everyone showed something different,
something similar to what we’ve seen before, but somehow unique in it’s own
way.
Marcello Niktas made his
comeback on the second day, presenting a bold collection with a mixture of rock,
grungy and wild-western elements. Lots of animal print, fur, leather but also
plaid, bold metals and safety pins and sultry lace. We loved the sexy total
black looks and the colorful ones intrigued our imagination. The designer surely made some very
interesting combinations that can easily be adapted and incorporated in our
everyday look.
Loukia Kyriakou showed a
full white collection with beautiful gold elements. All the pieces were very
elegant and flattering. She used lace as her primal fabric and the result was
really impressive. The models looked like glam goddesses and the golden prints
were simply stunning and captivating and they definitely upgraded the looks.
Gio Sourgiadakis only presented menswear. Mainly shirts and tailored
pants, things that we’re all used to, but with a slight twist. The colors were
popping and the prints were nicely mixed together creating a classic, put
together yet trendy outcome.
Tassos Mitropoulos presented
maxi dressed and extravagant gowns. He showed an edgy take on the classic tulle
skirts and really made a strong impression with all his designs. The red looks
were so vibrant and bold-probably some of our favorites from the entire
collection.
Somf has dazzled us with the
previous collections many times. This one was not very different, although we
missed the signature eye designs. We loved the rock aspect of the collection
and the adorable collaboration with that baby supply company surely melted our
hearts.
Vassilis Zoulias decided to pick a different space to host his
newest collection. We walked in a luxurious ballroom with carpets and
chandeliers and admired the models walking around the unique infinity-shaped
runway. “Women in Mykonos from 1920 to 1980” was the theme of the collection.
The presentation was simply stunning, complimenting perfectly the drool-worthy
creations. We were excited to see some of our favorite well-known Greek models
in the show and we left feeling so happy! Bright colors, black and white,
beautiful textures, everything that characterizes each and every one of the
glorious decades was there!
#Day 3
Sunday
is always dedicated to the new designers. Each season aspiring young artists
from around the country are given the chance to present mini collections, more
like a sample of their work to the crowd and receive recognition for their
effort.
This
year, two Greek fashion schools started the day with their creations and then
twelve new designers followed, competing for the three awards given at the end
of the night.
Akto Art& Design College presented abstract lines, neutral
colors and minimalistic styles. We enjoyed the casual aesthetic paired with the
asymmetrical styling of the looks.
Personal Favorite: the ombré romper.
Athens Fashion Club Fashion School put together a futuristic
collection with elements that glow in the dark. Alien chic, metallic hues,
sparkles and space hair, all impressed the crowd.
Personal
Favorite: Silver
two-piece with sequins.
Maria Vytinidou worked with folklore elements and
showed a colorful, vivid collection. She paired many different colors and many
different prints together and added a bit of a bohemian vibe to the looks.
Persephone focused on black and white. She played with
textures and added interesting cuts to the outfits. Imagine a very minimalistic
color blocking, with a slight pop of sea blue. The crowd was surely impressed
by the clean lines and the hairstyle of the models.
Parle Moi worked strictly with black and white and did a
chic color blocking, mixing and matching the two staple colors-working her way
to couture. One thing that certainly stimulated our interest was the headpieces
resembling to deer horns. It’s clear that the designer was influenced by
Alexander McQueen.
Penelope Demetriou presented a total black collection. She worked with different fabrics
like lace, leather and tulle in order to achieve a feminine, yet edgy result.
We enjoyed the powerful cuts and the rocker chic vibe of the pieces, as well as
the magical voice of the singer who performed on the runway.
MAl-LE by Aggeliki Maleviti sticked to the all-black theme too. Her designs
were a bit sexier, with the sheer fabrics and the revealing cuts paired with
the smoky makeup. One thing that really caught my attention was the spiked
heels!
Joy Koumentakou| Made by JK really stole the show with her
colorful and vibrant collection. Inspired by pop art, she presented fun clothes
with popping prints, feminine and androgynous lines and crazy accessories. To
be completely honest, it was very much needed after so much black-especially
during a spring presentation!
Blondie.e worked with light colors and lace and showed a
feminine bohemian collection. She also used fancy ropes as accessories like
belts and necklaces. Fringe elements couldn’t be missing from the show, but she
also incorporated some chic two-pieces.
MARΩ MARTZH presented an abstract, geometrical
collection. She invested in color-blocking and used vibrant colors like red and
blue paired with silky beige and glittery gold. Somewhat ancient Egypt...or is
it just me?
Chris & Tonia focused on pastels and summer vibes.
The blush colors were absolutely gorgeous and the lines were very feminine and
flattering. We really enjoyed the flowy silk dresses together with the tailored
pants.
Tryfonas Modestou worked with vivid colors paired with
whiny white fabrics. The color-blocking was interesting and it was clear that
the designer had a more futuristic vision. He also used fishnet in many different
ways and incorporated kind of a preppy vibe to the collection.
Nella Ioannou presented beautiful gowns. What really caught
our attention was the influence from Disney princesses, hence the interesting
head pieces. She used lace, tulle, fringes and embellishments and paired white
with pastels and vivid colors.
Demis Araniadis showed a full black collection.
Straight lines, clean cuts, sheer elements and hoodies incorporated in the
outfits. Sexy casual is probably the best way to describe this.
Dimitrios Ordoulidis, who is also the winner of the
previous contest, based his collection around two words: “sexual” and
“abstract”. He combined monochromes and prints and he presented causal yet
interesting and flattering clothes.
!Awards!
Best Fashion Design Ambassador: Parle Moi
Best New Designer: Parle Moi
Best Trendsetter: Joy
Koumentakou | Made by JK
Best Catwalk: Nella Ioannou
Day #4
During the
last day, we saw many great designers, some well-known, with a large fan-base.
Monday was probably one of my favorite days. It might have been only five
shows, but we enjoyed all of them. You know, quality over quantity.
Rita Pateroni showcased ethnic and bohemian elements,
transforming them into 21st century appropriate pieces. The dressed
were chic, feminine and romantic and the models looked like fairies. Very fresh
and beautiful.
Gogo by Stalo went glam and bold. Black, leather, shimmer, sheer
fabrics, lace and crazy prints put together a big and stylish collection. I
must admit that I can’t be very objective here because most of the pieces were
very close to my personal style, things that I would wear. Nonetheless, it was
interesting.
La vue showed mainly menswear. Fashionable clothes
inspired by hip-hop music, which was also playing during the show, minimalistic
prints and amazing shoes. A collection for the “cool boys”.
Panos Apergis presented beautiful kaftans. The flowing
fabrics and the colorful prints were just screaming spring. A bohemian
collection with 70’s and gypsy vibes. Such an interesting mix and match!
It was
truly a remarkable experience! I absolutely loved being there and meeting so
many people and watching so many different shows and designers. Sure, there
were some technical issues and things that got in the way of this experience to
be perfect, but I still enjoyed it and I simply can’t wait until the next one!
(photos: Elena Tsakiridou, Studio Panoulis)
