Ethos : Thracian motifs

During the 18th and 19th century, life in Greece is characterized by strong values, traditions and customs.  The several records that document the rich culture of that period act as a source of inspiration for Ethos Stories and its creations. All Ethos Stories jewels are designed with love, showing respect to the local traditions, meeting the creative needs of the people of whom it is comprised.  Often, the shapes of the jewels share common features with traditional designs found in historical records, while the elaborate embroideries of traditional costumes inspire Ethos Stories to create new motifs.  A focus on the colours that dominate each region ensures uniformity and shows respect to the diversity of the traditional Greek designs.

Makra Gefyra collection will take us to Eastern Thrace and more precisely to the clothing group of Makra Gefyra’s region.  This group consists of traditional costumes worn by 14 different villages in the prefecture of Evros, as well as Mega and Mikro Zaloufi, which is considered a sub-group of Makra Gefyra’s clothing group. Evros prefecture is rich in history and traditions, while its clothing presents an impressive diversity.  All the information about the character of the social group that wore the traditional costume is found in its small details.  Through the costume, we can ‘read’ the characteristics of the person that wore it, their age, social and economic class, or even their marital status.

Ethos Makra Gefyra Limited series

Each of Ethos collections consists of the basic and the limited line. The basic line consists of the largest number of jewels that will be available even after the launch of the brand’s next collection. The limited line consists of 5 different jewels, of which only three pieces per creation will be produced. The number three symbolises Ethos Stories’ soul; the three women’s vision to create the company. At the end of the collection, those jewels will not be produced again, showing in this way that they are designed with respect to uniqueness and value.

Ethos Makra Gefyra Basic series

The designers in order to create Makra Gefyra, the brand’s second collection, they researched documents as well as terminology from the bibliography mentioned below:

• Greek local costumes, IoannaPapantoniou, Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation, Nafplion
• Lyceum Club of Greek Women 2002
• Topalidis Georgios, Costumes of Thrace 2
• Thracian Embroideries, Angela Yiannakidou

Ethos was founded by Antigoni Poulou and Maria Stamopoulou to create and express themselves through their art, drawing inspiration from Greece’s history and tradition. Their dream is to recall values and ideals that have been forgotten, through Ethos creations; provide an opportunity to search for Greece’s rich customs and culture, as well as to contribute to the tradition’s survival.

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