Yiorgos Eleftheriades at 080 Barcelona

image source
Yiorgos Eleftheriades held his show for a/w 2013 yesterday, on schedule at 080 Barcelona Fashion Week. Themed 'In Search of Poetry', the show consisted of both womens and menswear created in tweed, pinstriped wool and cashmere, leather and fur. No doubt, a collection that makes you want to fast forward the calendar.

For images and video see the official 080 Barcelona website, here.
Shots of the show by Filep Motwary here.

Post by Eternal Optimist including sketches of the collection, here.

Suggesting a good read

Illustration by Lena Corwin - source

I found this very interesting piece of writing by Brooklyn-based author Elizabeth Cline at The Etsy Blog. It was published back in May '11 but it will be relevant for months to come. Here's an extract:

"We now only make 3% of our apparel in the United States, down from 90% in 1955. The prices of these imports are so low that we have long since abandoned our sewing machines and deserted our dressmakers. Our clothes have also become increasingly casual and simplified, another reason for lower price tags.

As clothes have become cheaper, our clothing consumption has gone through the roof. In 1930, the average American woman owned an average of nine outfits. Today, we each buy more than 60 pieces of new clothing on average per year. Our closets are larger and more stuffed than ever, as we’ve traded quality and style for low prices and trend-chasing".

The whole post is worth reading, you'll find it here. Looking forward to her book 'The Good Closet' on responsible shopping in the age of cheap fashion, expected this Spring. Till then, I'll be following The Good Closet blog.

The New Concept Bazaar

A three day exhibition/bazaar by the most interesting mix of Athens based designers. Affordable prices, fashion clothing jewellery and art, at a beautiful loft, till late (12:00-22:00).

Now she drives with me

Never thought I'd ever hang anything on my rear view mirror but this one is special*. Somehow adds happy colours to the grey city streets I drive at:)
*Gift by friend who loves momiji.

knowhowfashion.com - online boutique

Here's a new browsing destination for you. Greek brand Know-How has an online boutique up and running. If you are already familiar with this local hero (still designing and producing 100% in Athens, Greece), this piece of news should be exciting as you can now have it available on your screen anytime, as well as your doorstep. If you are not, well-made clothes, hard-to-find pieces, a growing, colourful selection and featuring sales up to 50% are excellent reasons to get to know them.

Mi lajki / Style Factory - episodes

On February 1st, and during Swedish Fashion Week, Mi lajki's Style Factory begins the quest for a shiny styling star. Mi lajki is a Swedish creative community on a mission 'to make the world more colourful'. Nine international contestants have been assigned to bring forward unique interpretations of their stories in three different Mi lajki themes. It will all unravel in a series of 10 online episodes* and the winner gets to walk out with a 50.000 euro* contract to create his own jewelry collection. 50% of the vote will come from the judges whereas the other half by the viewers. You can watch it all here.

*'online episodes, 50.000 euro prize, contract' is becoming a pattern for the Swedish Fashion Week this season. Following the process via online episodes is a new reality too. Reality tv, documentary, open process, a kick start for young talent, call it what you like. It is interesting, it is happening, it's on your screen.


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On February 1, it is time for the first episode of Mi lajki Style Factory at nelly.com. During the 10 episodes of our style factory we will follow the nine stylists led by Mi lajkis star stylist Alexis Knox - known stylist from both London and Milan's major fashion shows. Each stylist is assigned a specially designed Mi lajki jewelry as they should interpret and create acreationism around. The winner gets a coveted contract with Mi lajki to a value of € 50 000.(milajki.com)

H&M Designer Award 2012 - episodes

H&M Designer Award 2012 process is already half way and down to three finalists. It is being documented in online episodes at designeraward2012.hm.com , expected to wrap-up on February 1st with a live streaming of the winner's show.

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Graduates from fourteen colleges in six countries will compete for the prize, with the winning collection being shown at Stockholm’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on February 1st 2012, along with a prize of €50,000. The winner will also get the chance to have chosen pieces from their collection sold in selected H&M stores later in the year. (hm.com)

Eastpak Artist Studio 2012

Zoe Vassilaki
Vegas
Stelios Koudounaris (see here for making of)
Konstantinos Rigos
Izima
Georgina Skalidi
Eva Nikolaidou
Dimosthenis Serketzis
Andrianos Aggelopoulos
Al Giga

To browse all creations for this year's Eastpak Artist Studio and read artists interviews visit http://artiststudio.eastpak.com/creations .

These one-of-a-kind bags go on sale in 53 days. All proceeds will go towards the non-profit organisation Designers Against Aids.

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It was quite a thrill being a contributor for Eastpak Artist Studio 2011. My bag must have been particularly loved in Italy as it was featured at Marie Claire and 'La Repubblica' among others. In the end, I think the winning bid came from someone in France though! Best of luck to all of this year's wonderful contributions.

Greek version of Yoox featuring Angelos Bratis

Double online debut for the Greek version of yoox.com and Angelos Bratis special edition s/s 12 collection 'Echo loves Narcissus'. Read all the details about the launch, the collaboration and the 'Y caftan-dress' at this very informative post by The Soho Symposium.

Plexiglas Class

Quirky plexi necklaces I came across at Ma_Li_Ya's online shop.
(Also on Etsy)

Paradise, the film - win collectors memorabilia

Looking forward to 'Paradise'. Panagiotis Fafoutis' latest film unravels during the Carnival of Patra and so far it's only praise I've heard about it. It goes out on cinemas on January 26th. Six collector's items inspired by the movie were created by artists who truly fell in love with it. They are now available for you to win. All you have to do is visit this album by 30/01 and click 'like' at the one you'd like to own:
Pillow by Costume Designer Marli Aleiferi.
Key ring by Actress & Jewellery Designer Maro Petli.
Shoe by Designer & Painter Anthia Loizou.
Earrings by Actress & Jewellery Designer Maro Petli.
Poster by Graphics Designer Stavroula Stasinou.
Bag by Costume Designer Marli Aleiferi.

Leaving you with this.

Pattern Cutting / Sewing seminars

New Pattern Cutting / Sewing seminar for beginners chez Theia starts this Saturday, January 21st, between 15:30-18:30. It involves pattern methods for ready-to-wear standard sizes 40-42-44 as well as learning to use the sewing machine and making your work come to life as an actual wearable piece. It will also be the last for this winter, with next classes scheduled for April. All tutors are experienced industry professionals and your first sewing kit will be courtesy of Theia.

For more info see here and here.

Premium Berlin - Now Showroom among exhibitors

Premium Tradeshow is also currently at large as part of the ongoing Berlin Fashion Week (18-20/01/2012). If visiting, drop by Hall 7N, booth H7, C49. It's the Greek mission by Now Showroom featuring Sotiris Georgiou's upcoming collection and limited edition tees by Digitaria. Worth checking out.
Booth snapshot stolen from here.
Sotiris Georgiou
Digitaria

On Sopa Strike

No commercial interest is above my right to freedom of speech.

Just wear Fotoshop

Maybe she's born with it.
Maybe she's not:)

Bread & Butter begins - Etsy among exhibitors

Much awaited Bread & Butter Berlin tradeshow kicks off tonight with a 'high voltage' opening party. Being already established as one of the top trendsetting exhibitions, it will be once again welcoming visitors from all over the world between the 18th and 20th January 2012. This season's theme is "High Fidelity".

Among its somewhat 600 international exhibitors, including global giant manufacturers Adidas, Custo Barcelona and Havaianas, online crafts retailer Etsy stands out. Small, independent productions are now in the same list and space as mass production key players, a sign that all those who underestimated them were wrong. If visiting, also look out for Etsy's Photo Booth Yourself area.

Retro moment - mannequins

Retro mannequins at Stadiou str., Athens.
Proof there was an era when you and boyfriend shared hairspray and it was natural.

Jewellery-making tutorial - Athens

A "Jewellery Lab / Seminar" by Christina Aggelopoulou (Strigles) and Marianna Kontoe (Powertex) is set for Sunday, 22/01/12. Includes detailed tutorials on making jewellery elements and knitting brooches to making a complete handmade jewel. Suitable for beginners but more advanced creative souls too. For limited number of participants (currently a couple short so if interested, contact them asap).

More info on location, fees, etc.:

6944911104 - info@powertex.gr (Marianna)

6987611515 - bystrigles@yahoo.gr (Christina)

facebook event page

Snow by the sea - archive

Images shot in 2008, at Marina Zeas - Piraeus. Surreal.
Temperatures today, between 8 and 3 degrees.
Have a relaxing Sunday and stay warm!

Holy Mustache Birthday Bazaar

Holy Mustache and Stella Veentaz are planning a 'One Year Birthday Celebration' in Thessaloniki, from Thursday 19/1 till Sunday 22/1. They promise a four-day bazaar of rare and affordable treasures 'for your pleasure and collection'. It will all take place at Ladoze / Toss Gallery, 1 Vilara str. May I note that vintage clothes are about the label and country of manufacturing and not just the looks. How many 'made in Greece / France / U.S.A.' have you seen lately?

For more info as well as the event schedule see here.