Working in Greece in fashion...

Working in Greece in fashion, is something of an oxymoron itself. No that we lack of talent, yet there are other factors that make it an oxymoron. First the market is quite limited. Then you have the greek way of doing things, which cannot compete outside greek borders…whoever tried to do it like that flopped! The most important, in my opinion, though, is that we don’t use our strengths and accept our weaknesses. Usually we try to copy something happening in other countries and continents which might be totally irrelevant with the current situation, status of Greece. In other words we lack of identity… Trying to copy will just bring fast profit for a short period!!! Of course there are few exceptions…Greek designer George Eleftheriades is the proof of having a strong identity and avoiding the mainstream route of getting your name known can give a long term and successful career. There are also quite few young greek designers who have worked and managed to export successfully.

Fashion as an industry is not a rose garden…you have to have a tough stomach, strong will and above all believe in yourself. If you have all that, then you should evolve continuously. You have to be current, but you should be fast forward at the same time. Unfortunately, if your country of choice is Greece your task becomes even harder, as the routes of expression are more like lanes and there are quite few things happening…you have to find your own way…that’s quite a challenge…on the other hand you can always leave the country…

What we should focus on is us…take a minute to see what is going on around us…which is the situation politically, socially, culturally in our country, embrace it and inspire from it…create an identity!