Georgia Charal and her creatures. Breaking the walls between art and geometry.
Interviewed by Alexander Mays / alexandermays
GEORGIA CHARAL will be exhibiting at HOMI FASHION&JEWELS EXHIBITION 11 - 14 March 2022
A dedication to sustainability, craftsmanship, design and manufacturing with the ultimate accuracy. HOMI FASHION&JEWELS EXHIBITION explores a cultural challenge, is sustainability an utopian fantasy or a possibility?
Alexander: Yeah, okay. So why don't you start by telling me a bit about yourself and your brand?
Georgia: It's based on simplicity. The philosophy is to touch the sophisticated side through creativity and innovation. Stylish and exclusive handmade looks, and comfortable easy to wear every day or on special ocasions.
Alexander: How long would you say that it took for you to establish yourself in the industry.
Georgia: After I found my brand, we took part in an exhibition in Athens. It went really well and I think since then, we felt that it was well established. We started taking part all over the world. I mean, we go to exhibitions in Paris, or in Milan, and we sell all over the world, from Japan to Africa. And I'm really happy about that.
Alexander: In which country do you think that you've been able to reach new customers?
Georgia: We have a lot of customers in Spain, and also Italy. We sell our jewelry in every part of Italy....Spain, also a lot. Shops and museums in France. Japan also.
Alexander: Cool! What would you say is the main difference between creating individual pieces and more limited edition pieces?
Georgia: It's more sentimental. It's a piece of art, I'm very happy with them when I make them. I mean, I feel fulfilled, fulfilled that I made something, a piece of art.
Alexander: How would you say that you gain inspiration for the collection?
Georgia: For example, I go on a trip, and by the sea, I find a shell...this is inspiration. I go to the forest, I find a seed, and this is an inspiration for me. Everything can be an inspiration depending on the mood, the environment, it depends on your company. You you are in a shop or you are in nature and suddenly you see something that inspires you. You can make something with that and convert that into something special.
Alexander: So you would say that nature is your main inspiration?
Georgia: Yes! I also love colors...always in life. I love colors. During the pandemic the mood was so bad. The colors gave me life...they gave life to my shop and they gave life to everyone. I like seeing women wearing red or green, for me is amazing, because it makes you feel special.
Alexander: What's your favorite color?
Georgia: My favorite color is green. I love purple also. Black is not a color but I like when we wear something white and you have a necklace which is black with gold or silver...it can be amazing!
Alexander: In terms of the materials, it's obviously gold and silver...but is there any other material that you really enjoy working with?
Georgia: I like gold. My next collection has also combined with silver...I like silk very much too.
Alexander: And how much time would you say that it takes usually for you to produce?
Georgia: You have something in your mind, but then you need to think about how can I create that. Is it possible to create that and until you reach the final step. You do many steps, many many changes. Sometimes it takes a lot of time. Sometimes I can't say specifically, maybe it's a short period of time. Every time I'm thinking, I'm thinking how can I make this more beautiful...more wearable, something like that.
Alexander: Which piece has taken you the longest?
Georgia: I think the poppies, they sell every season.
Alexander: Who would you say is your ideal customer?
Georgia: My sister... she's a colorful person.
Alexander: And how do you find the balance between minimalism and maximalism?
Georgia: I prefer minimalism I could say, but sometimes it is maximalism. There has to be a balance.
Alexander: Is there one piece that is your absolute favorite?
Georgia: My earrings.
Alexander: Nice. I also remember a ring in black and white...
Georgia: The concept comes from geometry. I was really good at geometry, so all of these circles and rectangles and lines...the lines that go to infinity and make shapes.
Alexander: How do you clean the pieces?
Georgia: You can boil water or...can use sodium carbonate. Yes, you can use this easily. Rub it with this and you can clean it perfectly. It's very simple
Alexander: And where do you source your silver?
Georgia: In Greece. There is a factory there, also sometimes we we bought silver from Italy...That's it for the moment, last year we use only Greek and Italian factories.
Alexander: What would you say has been the best sales experience?
Georgia: When I sold my pieces at the MoMA...I was excited about that.
Alexander: Do you have more success with online sales or in store?
Georgia: The online store is strong and growing. But as I remember two years ago, it was mainly with shops. It was mainly with the museums or their shops.