Sophia Kokosalaki - Ilias Lalaounis
Concept
On 3rd October 2009 in Paris Sophia Kokosalaki presented her first collaboration with Ilias Lalaounis at her Spring/Summer 2010.
This new and exciting relationship is a perfect match. Both brands share a common heritage, as well as equal appreciation and love for the art and history of Greece.
The innovative designer Sophia Kokosalaki, is known for creating beautiful, intricate clothing adorned by contemporary women around the world. She draws from her Hellenic Heritage, and then modernizes with her unique, urban style to inspire her luxuriously crafted pieces. Ilias Lalaounis, one of Greece's premier luxury brands, has an international reputation for creating handmade jewelry collections in 18 and 22k gold inspired predominantly by ancient Greek art. Lalaounis designs are steeped in history and represent a synthesis of past and present, a unique interpretation of an ancient civilization or culture translated into a modern idiom.
Both brands are headed by strong, independent women who believe in the enduring qualities of beauty, femininity, intelligence and modernity. Sophia's artistic ability combined with that of Lalaounis has led to a unique collection that celebrates traditional workmanship and elegance with a dark heroic twist.
Sophia Kokosalaki comments, "To work with another brand that uses a wealth of expertise and traditional skills to create each piece, is for me the true essence of luxury . Lalaounis is one of the world's premier Goldsmiths, I am honoured to collaborate with then".
Ilias Lalaounis comments, "Working with a talented designer like Sophia has been a thoroughly creative and enjoyable experience. It has challenged us to find new ways of using ancient and traditional themes and transform them into bold jewelry creations to complement Sophia's strong signature collection."
ILIAS LALAOUNIS – PROFILE
Ilias Lalaounis, a fourth generation jeweler, artist and academician joined his family business in 1941 after studying law and economics at the University of Athens. Prompted by a passion for history he began studying the art of his ancestors and decided to breathe new life into museum artifacts and transform them into contemporary jewelry creations. Influences as diverse as, the Neolithic age, Mycenaean art, the Byzantine era, pre-Columbian architecture as well as science and nature, have all inspired the Lalaounis collections. Age-old techniques such as granulation, filigree, hand-hammering and repousse are used in creating the exquisite and distinctive hand-crafted Lalaounis jewelry which keeps alive and renews a 4,000 year old tradition in Greek art. Since 1998 Lalaounis's 4 daughters , the fifth generation, have taken over the mantle and while following on their father's footsteps they are putting down their own creative mark to ensure the continuity of the Lalaounis legacy.