Plexiglas Class

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

Red is growing on me

It started off as a pink year and I think it's gonna end in red . Fabric shred necklace by Stripes'n'Buttons. If you are still gift hunting, click over, she's got some interesting stuff on display.

Charm-ing

What's hanging from my belt in this post is not exactly a charm, although I often use it as one.
It's a necklace by Sugarline Productions which I tend to wear a lot. It's pop, it's bling, it's got a lot of potential, I tell you. But to me, it's also a shiny image of a car that got me to all places beautiful in my teens, my grandad's Honda Civic - which was silver but this is close enough.
Accessories come in many shapes and colours now but seeing sweet memories in them, this kind of connection does not happen every day. Well, unless you visit Sugarline Productions headquarters every day. I find all of her hand-made pieces emotionally charged.

Speaking of "everyday", soon that won't be a problem. Sugarline Productions -among others- will be just a click away before you know it. A rather promising eshop is about to hit our screens, a little bird told me.

Tell a Story - Kores

KOres (Greek for 'daughters' and not KorEs, as in the Greek cosmetics giant, Korres) is Yianna Karvela. Last TaS was the first time I ever came across her work but something tells me it won't be the last. It was all split into three categories, steel creations, rubber and liquid glass. Everything was handmade by her and it was not the complexity, but the simplicity of the designs that captured me. Dear objects like our childhood crayons, kites, hearts, jigsaw puzzle pieces and scissors were all there, miniature and detailed, turned into easy-to-wear accessories. Yianna blogs too so if you like what you see here, here's the source for more: http://kores3.blogspot.com/ .
Yianna is also good at staying in touch. She has just informed me of her next public showcasing, at Cabaret Voltaire's 'Bizarre Bazaar' - Sat 20th to Sun 21st of March. For info and directions, click on the images below.

Tell a Story - Strigles

TaS may be over as of last night but my finds are not just yet! Christina Aggelopoulou is 'Strigles'. Featured above right with fellow accessories designer Irini Spinou, she has a bubbly, colourful style in the Brazilian sense.

Vibrant reds, greens and yellows splashed on flat pumps, flip-flops, rings, bracelets, necklaces, you name it. All designed and handmade by her , decorated with anything from juicy slices of watermelon to her trademark laminated fabrics.

Everything was so special and had such a Summer feel-good vibe, I instantly felt like pina coladas and long walks on the beach. Quite an effect don't you think? 'Strigles' is officially on my hot list!

(Actually, she has been since this interview for Life in Athens back in October - I remember wanting that brooch badly:))

Tell a Story - Emma.nuella

Emma.nuella is an accessories designer based in Cyprus. Since the announcement of this season's TaS I had been looking forward to a closer look of her clutches. I found the levels of geometrical bows and circles rather cute and overall thought her corner had something for every taste, from the most delicate, to the most avant garde. Good stuff.

Tell a Story - Meet the Cat

By now, it is clear to everyone that I am such a fool for the 'statement necklaces' this season. Close to the neck but still no chokers, bulky, eye-catching, the queen of accessories for Sping. When it comes to that, Meet the Cat is the queen of my heart and above you can see four good reasons for that. Funny enough, I do not own such a necklace yet but no doubt, the statement I'd like to make would be in a Meet the Cat zipper piece.

Tell a Story time

Just three days before the 6th Tell-a-Story begins, its founder and organizer Anna Polydorou, fills us in.
(bag by Emma.nuella)
What's new this season at Tell-a-Story?
The new collections of designers that we have got to know through this exhibition, like Vlieger & Vandam, Daniela Pais, Akira Mushi, Alexia Kirmitsi, KRV KURVA, Emma.nuella, ne_ne by Marina Nicolaides (she won first prize at last Cyprus Fashion Week) but also of well known Greek designers like Grace Atelier De Luxe, Meet the Cat, Matalou @ home and Euangelia, whose continuous presence at the exhibition strengthens its style and particular character. Latest additions, the leather bags designer Ippolito, the jewellery designer Kores and accessories designer Strigles.
(womenswear by Akira Mushi)
In which ways is TaS different to other fashion events?
It is an event that supports the work of indepentent designers with limited edition collections, particulat yet easy to wear. Through the minimal and direct presentation, Tell a Story focuses exclusively on the work of each designer.
(bags by Ippolito)
Which is ideally the goal for this 6th Tell a Story?
This season Tell a Story becomes a showroom. It will take place on the second floor of Myga multispace and it will be exclusively targeted to buyers, journalists and people directly interested in the field of fashion and design. It focuses on the real goal of the exhibition which is presenting and showcasing the work of designers to the Greek buyers.
(womenswear by Alexia Kirmitsi)
How does Tell a Story perceive the place of Greek fashion next to foreign designers?
I believe that each country has its own design force to show. Greece is not a minor in that sense. It really lacks though the financial support which is inexistent. Considering the fact that in Cyprus, Germany, Denmark, Portugal and other European countries theres are programs promoting designers work by financing up to 75% of the participation costs in international exhibitions, thus supporting their presence and exports, then you realise how much talent goes to waste before it even has a chance to make a beginning.
(necklace by Meet the Cat)
Why the lack of days open to the public this time?
As already said, this season Tell a Story becomes a showroom. The fact that is 'climbing' on a floor and at a quite restricted space would make it too difficult to satisfy both the public and the buyers. So we had to draw a line... That is why the exhibition dates just be Saturday, Sunday and Monday. As for the public, they can keep up to date though http://tellastorytradeshow.blogspot.com/, through our facebook page as well as the personal website of each designer.

(Tell-a-Story will take place on Saturday, 27/2 from 11:00 to 18:30, Sunday, 28/2 & Monday, 1/3 from 11:00 to 21:00, at MYGA, Aisopou & Mikonos 13, Psurri, Athens)

Statement necklace

Bonus to previewing Eastpak's smashing s/s 10 collection, was seeing fellow blogger LFOF. A fan of 'Build to Resist' herself, was caught in action whilst capturing the brand's latest for you. And moi in turn, captured her oversized crystal necklace (Accessorize she later informed me). The upcoming season is going to be all about bulky statement necklaces and hers, is an elegant transmission piece towards it. Take notes!

(check out Eastpak's press day through the lence of LFOF, here and here)

Xmas Shopping Sunday

It maybe a cold, rainy Sunday tomorrow, but some of the hottest xmas shopping events are scheduled to take place in town and bring some sunshine to your gifts' list - or simply your closet!

Gift inspiration, wine, browsing and a 15% off all purchases are on the menu of numerous shops in Psirri area which will be open especially this Sunday for your convenience and pleasure. Those are:

Formika design store (Pallados 9 - 210.3234636)
Occhi (Sarri 35 - 210.3213298)
Mofu (Sarri 28 - 210.3311922)
Euangelia (Aristofanous 15. 4th floor - 6972533664)
Tonic Essentials (Pallados 24-26 - 210.3317371 )
Sotiris Georgiou ( Miaouli 16. 2nd floor - 210.3243201 )
Κartoutsa (Taki 9 - 210.3247525)

Shopping activity will be taking over the Mets area too:

Sugar Line Productions, the most fun, retro-pop accessories brand around, is throwing and xmas shopping party at its headquarters, Trivonianou 42-44 (Mets). Music and munchies will be keeping the spirits high whilst you go down memory lane and ...choose which part you'd like to immortalise is the shape of a very skillfully crafted necklace or barcelet.

A couple of blocks down the road, Psarokokalo is hosting an open day at 8 Kosma Balanou str. Unique, fresh and funky items extend beyond clothes and accessories and promise to add the nicest touch of original, limited edition design to your home too.

Apart from Psarokokalo, designers participating are Taxis+Quat, Lacravate du Chien, Evrydiki and Efig. Very exciting detail: they will all be handcrafting on the spot personalised gifts & toys.

*For the facebook events pages, click on the images above.

Other stuff going on are noted and posted by Battered Couture, here and THE1015LAB, here.

Keep checking my right column for latest additions (all images linked to the events, click-click!). The closer we move to Christmas, the more exciting bazaars are listed.
Oh, joy!

Have a lovely, successful & merry shopping weekend;)

FWA - Vassilia

Vassilia, a jewellery designer, is having a static exhibition of her work on display at FWA. Went to check it out last night and first thing that hit me was the presentation of it all, lying on white canvases on the floor. Such a simple yet effective idea, with jewels as art paintings literally at your feet. It was mostly necklaces, bust length and easy to wear. Even though I am looking forward to short, bulky "statement necklaces" for s/s 10, I found this kind of chunkiness quite elegant.

Meet the Cat

More Tell a Story: Exquisite accessories by Meet the Cat. Had never thought of a zip like this before. All this work and creativity put into necklaces, rings and bracelets, had me trying stuff on and off for quite a while! Sad they were only display samples, it was love at first sight...

Fox Fair Finds - Cacao Rocks

Cacao Rocks is Jason Megoulas. I find what he says as interesting as the stuff he makes. Check it out.

Alecca: What does 'Cacao Rocks' mean?
Jason: Cacao Rocks means exactly that: cocoa kicks a**... it means being in a good mood from dusk till dawn. It means lots of colours, tropicalia with rock n roll, git it? How did I choose it? Hmmm, one morning, D'Arcy Foxx asked me how I'm going to call what I make and it was the first thing that came to my mind... I'd just finished drinking my cocoa ... lol. Sounds good though, huh?

A:What do you make and how long does each item take you?
J: I'm mainly into sculpture, but you are probably more interested in my accessories, even though I view my accessories as works of art too. Each one is unique. I use various materials, from wool and textiles to chains and toys. I try to combine the nu-rave with the industrial aesthetics, using some pop elements.

How long do they take to make? I don't know. To make a small necklace it will take 2 or 3 times of listening to Bjork's “Volta”... But it may take me months too as I'll be looking for artifacts to add. The dolls take up to 2 days. The hardest part is to come up with the idea. I never make the same thing twice..

A: When and how did you start?
J: Since i can remember myself -typical!... my dad is a sculptor and a designer... since I was little, I was always in his way... later on in high school, I started making necklaces for friends and a bit later clothes for me, as I couldn't find anything I liked in the stores... Now it has become my psychosis... I wake up in the morning and ask myself “What are we going to make today?”

A: Which audience would you like to see wearing them?
J: I think it's the audience that choses and not the creators... To meet someone who is wearing something I made, is the best reward for me...

A: Where can you find Cacao Rocks items?
J: You can find what I make at The Fox Fair, at Teeter Totter, www.myspace.com/teetertotterjewellery and by contacting me directly at cacaorocks@gmail.com and www.myspace.com/jasonmegoulas