Zoi Kambouri, designer and philosopher “I like to make things not jewelry. I was making tables and shelves... I like the jewelry to be part of our body. Okay, so it's an extent of the body.”
Interviewed by Alexander Mays / alexandermays
ZOI KAMBOURI 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: So why don't you start off by telling me a bit about the brand and about what you do. Just a little background...
Zoi: Okay, I my making handmade jewelry from silver and gold I use 9.5 silver and 14k carats and 18 karat gold. I also use gemstones and quartz, I am working in my studio since 2006.
Alexander: How did you start making them, what was the idea behind it when you began?
Zoi: I like to make things not jewelry. I like gold very much. I was making tables and shelves...that's what I liked. I started in a school making and designing handmade jewelry. And that was how I started, and I love it.
Alexander: And during this time, how do you think that your brand has grown?
Zoi: I can I can be sure now if I can make this design or not, and the world has changed... we don't wear the same jewelry as before.
Alexander: Is there like any specific trends that you try to follow?
Zoi: I like the jewelry to be part of our body. Okay, so it's an extent of the body.
Alexander: How long would it take you to create a necklace or some earrings?
Zoi: It's not the specific time...maybe half an hour or maybe it's five to six. It depends on the piece...it depends on the material you are working with.
Alexander: What would you say is your favorite design or your your favorite material to work with?
Zoi: My favorite material is silver if you use your imagination, you can do a lot of things with silver.
Alexander: How many collections do you have per year?
Zoi: So some pieces will stay forever.
Alexander: Which would you say is the one piece that is the most popular for you that is that people buy the most
Zoi: Earrings... and bracelets.
Alexander: What kind of plans do you have for the brand? How do you think that it will grow?
Zoi: I'm taking part in a lot of exhibitions, and I have a lot of collaborations, so far. It's already a known brand here in Greece.
Alexander: What do you think about sustainability?
Zoi: I like my jewelry to be handcrafted, handmade. Every piece is unique for me. Handmade jewelry I think is more unique than others.
Alexander: Is there one type of jewelry that you like really don't like that, that you think is ugly?
Zoi: I like all types.
Alexander: And what would you say is the favorite piece that you've ever made?
Zoi: I like every piece is that I made...and if I make something that I don't like I don't show it. You don't like it? You don't show it. Okay.
