Athens Fashion Week, the most enduring event in the Greek fashion industry, surpisingly commenced at The Ellinikon Experience Park venue at 8-12/6/2023.
The 32nd official fashion week of Athens, Greece
The 32nd official fashion week in Athens, Greece, provided a captivating five-day, multi-sensory experience deeply rooted in the rich natural surroundings of Ellinikon. This biannual major event aimed to highlight both renowned and up-and-coming Greek fashion designers and brands, while also promoting sustainable fashion and the harmonious relationship between people and nature.
The Ellinikon Experience Park
The environment, featuring 900 trees and 80,000 plants of Mediterranean flora, along with the serene view of the summer waters, reinforced AFW’s assertion that sustainability in fashion transcends seasonal trends, embodying a philosophy and lifestyle.
Consequently, the Experience Centre was the perfect setting for the fashion shows and various concurrent events from the outset. Upon entering the space, one could take a deeper breath, unwind, and awaken their senses. This approach elevated the senses to a pivotal role, preparing attendees for the forthcoming celebration.
Fashion Designers
The welcome-installation by renowned greek designers Angelos Bratis- Chara Lebessi -Dassios- Denise Eleftheriou -Dimitris Petrou- Ioanna Kourbela- Kathy Heyndels- Konstantinos Tsigaros -Liana Camba -Maison Faliakos – Parthenis- Sotiris Georgiou- Vassilis Zoulias- Yiorgos Eleftheriades-
was followed by vibrant Fashion Shows by K7 Konstantinos Tsigaros, Dassios, Kathy Heyndels & Marios Togos, Vassilis Zoulias & Pericles Kondylatos, Daphne Valente, Parthenis, Irene Angelopoulos, MariellaBGreen, Ethical Ode, Celebrity Skin, Paris Valtadoros, Vlassi Holeva
where minimalism, sustainability and the attitude of slow fashion concepts blended thoroughly with pret-a-porter collections, imaginative jewellery and luxurious fashion brands.
Most experiential set up
Paris Valtadoros and Vassilis Zoullias provided an improved experience from the audience’s viewpoint.
In Vassilis Zoullias‘s runway show, the industrial backdrop provided a striking contrast due to its vast scale, enhancing the elegance of each look. The retro-modern attired models resembled exquisite moving miniatures against the backdrop of a grand nostalgic structure, ensuring that no detail of the designs, including those by Kondylatos, went unnoticed.
Paris Valtadoros created a setup in the social hub and focal point of the Park, where an interactive fountain featuring hundreds of water jets contributed to a mesmerizing effect with choreographed aquatic music. The effect of the variably colored water across the center of the setup made the runway appear almost illusory. This was the designer’s intention, as he aptly titled his performance: Illusion.
At the Illusion, we appreciated a set design where the showcased creations—outfits, accessories, bags, and shoes—were remarkably in harmony with the scene throughout every moment of the show. Our experience was significantly enriched, and it appears that the majority of attendees genuinely enjoyed it.
Future vision
Ultimately, the 32nd Athens Fashion Week was thoughtfully crafted to enable a connection with both fashion and nature, and ultimately with our inner selves. Through these initiatives that position Athens as a fashion hub, AFW enhances the spectator experience and further contributes to cultural advancement. Rest assured, this subject is a key focus for us, and we eagerly anticipate discussing it further in the future.
*The third day was focused on the New Designers Awards and emerging fashion designers.
Find more info: athensfashionweek.gr
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