Greek Mythology personified at Paris Fashion Week this January.

One of the ancient buildings on the site of the Atropolis, on a rocky outcrop above
Athens, capital of Greece. Photo © Lucia Carpio 2017 

Athens - the birthplace of Democracy - and Greek mythology were the inspirations for couture fashion for two Greek designers at the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week earlier this month.

At Celia Kritharioti's presentation of her Spring/Summer 2017 collection at the Ritz Hotel in Paris, the Greek designer spoke volumes with her flowers of elegance in statuesque silhouettes reminiscent of Greek goddesses.

As one of the most famous fashion designers in Greece, Celia Kritharioti  has her own fashion house in the heart of the Plaka in the center of Athens, where history meets myth.

Her collection is full of positive energy; flourishing with flowers on most creations and lace on a staturesque silhouette.

There were black and white, as well as strong colours contrasting with sweet pastel shades.

 

Yellow represents solar energy and festive mood, rose and pastel tones romance and feminity.
Blue Azur symbolises creation and human ties,
Note the featuring of exceptional embroidery, fringes emphasising body movements, vaporous feathers, organzas, hand-cut pancakes, tulle and ruffles, elaborate braids and then spring cotton lace.

"The flowery gardens of our heart, in fabrics full of flowers, remind us that when we search for our inner spring even if we are not born in Paris we can always be reborn."

Taking a slightly different route is another Greek designer Maria Aristidou, whose Semi-Couture presentation took place at the Hôtel Normandy of Paris in January as part of Paris Fashion Week.

Featuring seductive attention to detailing, Maria's Spring/Summer 2017 collection was inspired by Greek mythology and specifically "Labyrinthos, an elaborate structure designed and built by the legendary Daedalus and his sons Icarus for King Minos of Crete at Knossos."

Maria combines a sensual silhouette with timeless elegance, using metallic yarns and elaborate embroidery to create a luxurious playground in her designs for women.

Sleek cuts, unexpected open backs and pleating details are the key signature of this elegant womenwear collection for day or night.