Tell A Story a/w 11 - dates announced

Tell A Story a/w 11 dates announced: 25 - 27 February 2011, at Bios, Athens - Gazi. It kicks off on the 25th with an opening party on the spot, at 21:00, promising 'fashion happenings' for all. For the first two days the exhibition will be open for buyers only. Everyone else is welcome to visit on the 27th.

More info on participating designers as well as the exhibition, here: http://tellastorytradeshow.blogspot.com/

It's raining, wear boots

Officially time for rain-boots then and Strigles has quite some pairs for the job this season.

*Strigles will be showing at the 3rd Tell a Story in Nicosia, Cyprus on October 15th.

**Wonna bag a pair already? They are now in-store at Orsalia shop, Florida Mall, Glyfada.

7th Tell a Story

24-26 September 2010
International Designers' Tradeshow

From 12.00 till 21.00 @ Stavlos (Hrakleidon 10, Thiseio, Athens).

Tell a Story shop from 12.00 - 23.00.

Tell a Story Party @ Stavlos/ Friday 24th of September from 21.00 onwards.

More info at Tell a Story Blog.

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 - Euangelia

Fashion weeks' news caught up with me and my TaS reports had to be interrupted. Designers' work though doesn't stop once an exhibition is over. Here's what Euangelia is up to:
Apart from her being so imposing in her full bum dresses, she always incorporates great details in her designs whether that's a tight knot, a puffy sleeve or an unusual slash-cut. She always has my attention, but this time I had to ask:

Do you follow fashion trends at all?
Not at all. My work is timeless and for those who feel like wearing something different to the uniform shapes suggested each season. Special doesn't always mean 'special occassion', although I have many orders of this nature too.
What's with the big bum?
I love Renaissance figures, voluptuous and rounded. Clothing in that era was an obvious extention of the personality and today these shapes can be considered as classics. Obviously, I feel comfortable wearing a big bum and contrary to any worries that it makes a naturally big bum look even bigger, it actually camouflages it. However, this effect is achieved by an added tutu-like skirt which comes seperately. They can be worn like any other regular dress without it.
In these beautiful shapes you could be making some seriously avant-garde wedding dresses. Have you considered it?
Well somebody has! I have some orders at the moment and I tell you, these brides are going to be too cool.
What's new with you otherwise?
I am soon moving to a bigger atelier with fellow designers Ioli & Mirella. We are staying in the area of Psurri though, we all like it there.
Euangelia's dresses are unique. No, seriously, each piece is made only once and the proud owner is the sole owner. Too good? It's true. And the prices are even better!

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 - Ippolito

Ippolito is Pavlina Papailiopoulou's baby, traditionally named after her father. Going to TaS today or not, this is a name you certainly have to (re)discover as Bottega Veneta has already done so, standing out in her past work experience. Her weapon of choice is leather which she turns into the most particular handbags and accessories.

Tell a Story - Grace Atelier De Luxe

Today is the last day of the 6th Tell a Story tradeshow. After visiting yesterday, I strongly urge you to leave your chair and go check out this pretty refreshing exhibition.
Oh, wait.
Leave your chair only if you are a journalist, buyer or have some other bond/interest in fashion. TaS has moved to the first floor of MYGA, space is quite restricted so admission had to adjust. Besides, there is no chance of shopping this time so if none of the above applies to you, stay put and keep reading.
Myga's entrance looks like this. Memorize it if you are planning to go, once at the corner of Aisopou & Mikonos you'll find this very helpful. Don't pay attention to the signs saying "tickets are sold out". The entrance is absolutely free. Now walk in.
You'll be asked to fill in your details, receive the TaS bag and take the elevator to the first floor. The rail placed right opposite prepares you for the colourful ride you are in for.

Speaking of which, have a look at Grace's Atelier De Luxe delicious palette of fruity hues, all put into easy to wear spacious mini dresses, playsuits and fun zip details.



The pendant "La Belle du Jour", also by Grace, shone next to it all like a precious award we all deserve. Eat this Mr. "Mirror-mirror on the wall"!
(more finds to follow shortly)

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)

Tell a Story - Sat. 27/2 to Mon. 1/3

Tell-a-Story tradeshow dates have been announced:

Saturday, 27/2 from 11:00 to 18:30
Sunday, 28/2 & Monday, 1/3 from 11:00 to 21:00
At a new venue: MYGA, Aisopou & Mikonos 13, Psurri, Athens.

Participating designers:
aforest-design
Akira Mushi
Alexia Kirmitsi
Daniela Pais
Emma-nuella
Euangelia
Grace Atelie Deluxe
Ippolito by Pavlina Papailiopoulou
KRV KURVA
Madame Mo
Matalou @ home
Meet the Cat
ne-ne by Marina Nicolaidou
Ioanna Philippou
Simone Philippou
Psarokokalo Creative Studio
Strigles
Vlieger & Vandam

Yummy end of story

Smoof...smoof... I could smell something was cooking at Tell a Story's final day! Outside Bios, the air smelled delicious.

Moving closer, I saw "koupes" and other Cypriot delicacies being fried and grilled at an impromptu street barbeque. Grabbed a carrot and went for the dip whilst trying to figure out was was it all about...

Volunteers kept refilling the bowls with ice from the bar and the cooks switched to barmen, then cooks again in seconds. Now I had a "koupa" stuffed in my mouth and was mumbling "I want one too" as people kept coming back for more of...well, everything!

I watched Metaxa brandy, lemon squeeze, soda, ice and mint being pured into my plastic glass. "What is this?" I had to know. "It's Brandy Sour, a cypriot cocktail" I was told by the cook/bartender "Google it!" (and so I did.) Such a refreshing and simple cocktail, helped the "koupes" go down nicely.

And this is MCP's work. MCP is Maria Christina Papaleontiou, an architect turned into a jewellery designer, with designs as particular, fresh and yummy as what was going on a few metres away from it, by the barbeque!

What's Maria got to do with all this? First I noticed the cooks' brooches. Then I realised it was Maria's man, Nikos, who had organised this street feast for us. (Pictured below with lovely Maria. She is wearing one of her wooden necklaces, a great example of what fashion's gonna look like in ss10 - "statement necklaces")

By the end of that evening, all the visitors were toasting to MCP, and both buyers and the crowd left with a.. good taste in their mouth. Thank you Niko, Maria & friend! Update: Thank you Demetri, Maria and Constantine. (oops! blame it on the brandy sour!)

(picture below: it seems that MCP designs were quite a hit among exhibitors too. Here's 1/2 of designer duo 2D featuring MCP)

Matalou@home

No doubt, Matalou's bags and accessories make a statement. They are always top of my list and it was great to have the chance to see her new desings at Tell a Story #5. Sharing:



Matalou herself is such a positive, seriously creative person that's so into "happy" irony. Here posing for my lense wearing a mask she made for fun. The whole flu issue is not funny, but all the frenzy around it can be quite ridiculous. Being cautious is one thing but if you are to walk around in a mask, let it be a cool one!

Busted! Matalou is a walking explosion of creativity. Had to take a picture of what she did to her jeans. If you are to recreate, plz credit:) (Matalou, not me!)

And whilst we are at it, here are some shots from her stand at the previous Tell a Story. Never got a chance to show them before and they are good examples of her style and spirit. No Sir, you "don't f*ck with Bruce Lee"! Notice the variety of colours and materials she uses. Also note that she gets personally involved in the production process. Each Matalou@home item you fall in love with, the creator has personally put all her love and attention on first. Thumbs up.