Cutting a body for future women: Katerina Vassou on young girls and their master ladies

KATERINA VASSOU 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?

It feels like your line tells a cultural story. Are there any ritualistic traditions in Greece that inspired you?

I would be lying if I said yes. I tend to look forward when I get inspired for a new design, or collection and not behind. I am more like, well that’s an interesting idea, let’s see what we can create with it.

It reminds us of earth and stone. Tell us about your land.

Don’t forget water also… An endless blue, combined of seas and sky surrounds us. I am no exception, I will tell you what I believe that most Greeks can confirm, that we are blessed to have been born in the most beautiful place in the world. Exploring Greece, and visiting some really extraordinary sceneries have definitely made an impact on me, and my love for using semi-precious stones.

Your message? Is it a feminist one?

I am not sure it’s a message, more like a wish I would say. I don’t think that in Greece we are bold enough to try new things, different things. I love creating pieces with a strong identity and although I feel that we are becoming less hesitant, I don’t think we are exactly there, yet…

If you would have a fashion show in your home town, how it would be?

So far, I have only participated in fashion shows of clothes designers that could connect with my style. That meant, that up to a point, I had to follow their logic. If I were to host my own, I honestly can’t predict how successful it would be, because I would let my imagination go wild. Or else, what’s the point…

Do you think young girls are responsible to protect artisans from dissolving into the current day flow?

I am very optimistic of the newer generations, not only about that, but in general. I feel we are raising better people, beautiful minds, that have learned from the mistakes of the past generations. And to answer your question, I have faith that young girls are more open minded and more comfortable with trying new things, they are very fashionable, and appreciate jewellery from artisans that complete their look. 

Is the creative process a deep research? Do you collect a lot of photos?

No, not at all. I wouldn’t call it a research. Usually it happens in two ways. Either by coming across a material that will draw my attention to start working with it, or by just seeing a girl with a personal style I like. That inspires me to visualize the jewellery I would love to see her wear.

Do you have a close relationship with the artisans that work with you? Do they sometimes inspire you and take you to a totally new place?

Most of my team members have been with me for several years now. We have a mutual understanding… they have to put up with my eccentric ideas and help me transform them into a well fitted piece of jewellery, and they help me enrich my collection with more down to earth designs, maintaining of course the main character of our brand.

Where do you see Katerina Vassou in two years time?

I think the key word for the next two years, is further establishment. It is true, that the last two years the whole world had a very difficult time, and great sectors such as fashion, could not evolve as before. Now, that things are slowly returning to normal, the main goal is to extend the brand’s success in both abroad and domestic markets, and at the same time, evolve as a designer, by trying new techniques, daring to work with unusual materials, exploring the use of new technology, experimenting with forms and processes of metal.