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The Lito variants

Published on February 12, 2023

Orecchini Osiris in oro, diamanti, smalto

Geometry and nature, between past and future, here are the jewels of Greek Lito ♦

The full name, for those who speak the Greek language, looks like a tongue twister: Lito Karakostanoglou. This is why the designer has called his creation just as simply Lito. In Athens, where she was born, in 1999 he opened a bridge to the world, with a design that navigates through simple, geometric shapes, but also with lines that take in loan naturalistic forms, like the one that offers an endless variation of eyes, of ‘hive beetle, Peacock. In short, a way to bring the future to the past, for example, Art Nouveau and Art Deco, through design.

Before founding his brand, Lito studied at the Ecole Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris and technical drawing at the Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de La Bijouterie, Joaillerie et Orfèvrerie, to which is added an MBA in Boston. Her unique pieces have become collectibles and have been used for fashion shows from Kenzo and Jean Paul Gaultier couture and ready-to-wear collections.

Anello in oro 14 carati, smalto, diamanti neri

Collana in oro 14 carati con scarabeo intagliato in callcedonio, diamanti e topazi blu

Anello in oro 14 carati con scarabeo intagliato in callcedonio, diamanti

Orecchini in oro — Orecchini ovali in oro

Anello in oro 18 carati con diamanti neri baguette

Traveling through geometry with Ele Karela

Published on June 8, 2022

Rings/COLLANE

Anello in oro bianco, giallo e rosa 18 carati, diamanti bianchi e blu, zaffiri, ametiste

Born in Athens, raised (professionally) in London: Eléftheria Karela, who founded the Ele Karela brand, is a Greek jewelry designer who loves to innovate. Maybe even amaze. She can. She graduated from Central Saint Martins and has been producing jewelry since 2008. But only with small collections and, preferably, she works with bespoke orders. Her jewels are unique pieces inspired (also) by ancient myths and symbols, which she transforms into stories told through gold, diamonds, but also less precious stones, such as quartz or iolite. However, they are always stones with particular qualities.

Anello in oro 18 carati, diamanti, ametista

Another characteristic aspect of Ele Karela’s jewels is the search for elaborate geometries, which really have the quality of being unique. Necklaces and rings, in particular, are often built with proportions determined by the reflections of the stones, with volumes finding a balance even outside the usual shape. On the other hand, Greek architecture is historically the basis of that with which western cities are built. Finally, a certain new age scent adds character to the jewels, like a spice with a surprising taste.

Orecchini Sunrise in oro 18 carati, diamanti, rubini, zaffiri, ametista

Anello Tandem in oro 18 carati bianco e giallo, diamanti bianchi e blu, zaffiri, ametista

Anello Opal Princess in oro 18 carati, in oro bianco, giallo e bianco, opale, ametista, diamanti, zaffiri

Orecchini Venus in oro giallo, bianco e rosa, diamanti bianchi, zaffiri blu

Bracciale in oro biano e giallo, malachite, rubini, diamanti bianchi e blu

The Greek tradition of Lalaounis

Published on December 14, 2020

Showroom

Athens-based jeweler Lalaounis interprets the ancient Greek tradition of jewelry ♦

In Athens Ilias Lalalounis is a classic almost like the Parthenon. He is a few years younger, however: the founder of the jewelry at the foot of the Acropolis was born in 1920, into a family of goldsmiths and watchmakers from Delphi now in their fourth generation. In short, the Greek tradition had it in his blood. After studying economics and law at the University of Athens, in fact, the jeweler preferred to join his uncle’s jewelry company, where he learned the trade.

In 1941, during the Second World War, Ilias Lalaounis took over the family business. Driven by a passion for history, he began studying classical Greek art. So he decided to give new life to the Greek jewels kept in museums. Of course, to recreate those jewels of two millennia earlier it was necessary to learn the ancient goldsmith technique: granulation, filigree, hand weaving, hammering. His first collection, in 1957, was therefore an “archaeological collection” inspired by the Classical, Hellenistic and Mycenaean ages. He then continued on the same path with jewels in which gold was the almost exclusive material. Over the years it has obviously expanded the collections with modern pieces, but without abandoning the inspiration to the world of antiquity. In 1998 the company passed to the daughters, who continue to renew the collections, always following the path of the founding master. The tradition, in fact, still continues today with jewels that are inspired by the tradition of Greek jewelry, with some oriental influence.

Pendenti della colelzione Epirus in oro 18 carati, turchesi, diamanti e perle di acqua dolce

The good triangles of Anastazio

Published on January 6, 2020

COLLANE/Showroom/Rings

Anastazio, brand of the Greek designer Anastasios Kotsopoulos, launches the new collection (it is the third) Amazing Triangles. As the name suggests, the shape of the jewels that make up the collection is the triangle. A geometric shape that is difficult to translate into rings, necklaces and earrings, but this is exactly what Anastasios managed to do.

In fact, when you think about it, the triangle is also a frequent architectural element in the classical tradition of Greek art. Just think of the triangular pediments resting on the columns of the temples. But not only that: the designer refers to this geometric shape, to symbols of creativity, harmony, integration and change. In short, a triangle is a positive allusion. The Amazing Triangles collection is handmade in gold, with small diamonds set.

Anello della collezione Amazing Triangles

Anastasios Kotsopoulos started early: at the age of 19 he learned the art of bezel setting alongside his brother Agis, continuing to improve his experience by collaborating with the best Greek goldsmiths.

By Anastazio a mythical collection

Published on August 7, 2018

Argento/Orecchini/Showroom

The ancient myth of Meander in the jewelery collection of the Greek designer Anastazio ♦ ︎

Greece, in addition to being a popular tourist destination, is the country where western culture was born. There is no need to disturb the philosophy of Plato & c., The architecture of Fidia, the literature of Homer, the theater of Aeschylus, the mythology of Olympus (the list could go on) to know that this small country overlooking on the Mediterranean sea it is a sort of navel in the history of humanity. A necessary premise to explain how, even today, ancient Greece arouses interest and strong emotions. And that’s why even modern designers do not escape the desire to look for their roots.
Anastazio Kotsopoulos, founder and creative director of the Athens jewelery fair of the same name, Anastazio, has dedicated his new collection to the myth of Meandro, but with a modern design. If you don’t remember Greek mythology, you must know that Meander, son of Oceano and Thetis, on the occasion of the conflict with the city of Possene, vowed to the goddess Cybele to sacrifice the first person he would saw when he returned home if, in exchange, he had granted him the victory. But Meandro was unlucky (or punished for his request). In fact, he met his mother, sister and son Archelao. He killed them all three, as promised to Cybele, even if he then repented of his gesture and tormented by remorse he killed himself by throwing himself into the Anabenone river.
Looking back on the myth, Anastazio has now created a small collection of eight pieces. Seven pieces are in silver and 18-carat gold, while one piece is totally in gold. The jewels are enriched with orange and pink sapphires, amethyst and rutilated quartz. Please, if you wear them you do not make wrong requests to the gods.

Orecchini spaiati della collezione Meandro

Anastazio, collana della collezione Meandro

Bracciale in argento, quarzo rutilato e oro

Anastazio, anello in argento, oro e ametista