Let’s start with your inspiring journey. What do you consider the most important milestones that shaped it?
I studied footwear design at Cordwainers College in London. I knew I wanted to work in fashion, but I quickly realized how competitive the industry was, so I decided to specialize in shoe design in order to increase my chances of finding a job. I had a fairly structured plan.
When I graduated in 2000, I still hadn’t found a job. I had sent out dozens of résumés, and eventually the only person who replied was the owner of a small factory in Veneto, Italy, where shoes were produced for fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, and Chloé. I thought I had sent my résumé to Marc Jacobs—but it had actually ended up at the factory.
That is where I truly began learning the craft of luxury footwear making from some of the finest artisans. Very soon afterward, I was offered a position on the design team at Louis Vuitton in Paris, where Marc Jacobs was the creative director.
I stayed there for six highly creative years before moving to Balenciaga for another two. In 2010, when my first child was born, we decided to return to Greece, initially on a temporary basis. In Greece, I met my business partner, Nikolas Minoglou, and together we quietly launched Ancient Greek Sandals. The response was immediate: Colette and Net-a-Porter placed orders from the very beginning. That was when we realized this should become the main focus of our work.
As a result, I never returned to Paris. The brand is now celebrating its fifteenth year, and my journey has been shaped by my studies, my experiences at major fashion houses, the people I have met, and—without a doubt—good fortune and timing.
You have built a brand with international success. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
The beginning was relatively easy; the idea already existed and quickly took shape. The difficult part is longevity: keeping a brand relevant and alive.
There have been good years and challenging ones, including the pandemic period, but we have always found ways to adapt.
The most important thing we have achieved is our team. It is a team that works in harmony, continues to evolve, and remains creative through new projects, new categories, and collaborations that keep the brand vibrant.
What excites you the most today?
I am still excited by the moment when a good idea is born—whether for a sandal or for an entire collection. I think I can almost always tell when something has real potential.
Of course, there is also the other side of the story: believing that you have created something exceptional, only to discover that it does not resonate with people. That, too, is part of the process.
If you could go back in time, what would you change?
Nothing. Challenges, perseverance, and experience always lead to something positive. It may sound cliché, but when you trust your instincts, you usually find your way.
Which collaborations stand out in your career?
One collaboration that stands out in particular is our partnership with the House of Lalaounis, as I have always admired their work. Together, we created sandals that have proved timeless and continue to sell to this day. It remains one of our most meaningful and long-lasting collaborations.
What do you see as the future of the brand?
The heart of the brand remains sandals. We have explored other categories, such as homeware and bags, but our identity lies there.
We continue to expand our offering with new footwear categories—jellies, ballet flats, boat shoes, loafers, and winter styles. We are not changing direction; we are simply enriching what we already do well.
What’s new in this year’s collection, and what are the highlights?
This season’s collection features several key pieces.
For everyday wear, the Kasteli sandal offers comfort and support throughout the day. From beach to bar, the new Filia jelly slides and the lace-up Esther sandals are among our latest additions and have already become bestsellers.
For evening wear, strappy sandals with metallic and soft pink details bring a fresh and contemporary touch. For more special occasions, our platforms, available in different heights, remain a timeless summer investment.
My personal favorites are the braided ballet flats inspired by traditional woven craftsmanship.
What are the enduring values at the core of Ancient Greek Sandals?
We are a brand for everyone—a truly democratic brand. Every person can find something that suits both their feet and their lifestyle.
Quality, craftsmanship, and the handmade element—at least within part of the collection—are non-negotiable values. We do not follow trends blindly; we interpret them through our own lens.
What do you receive from your international audience?
The most important thing is that our customers come back. They are looking for authenticity, and they find it in our brand every summer.
What is your next personal goal?
To pass the Spanish exams I’m taking this week, because I’d love to travel across South America.
Life in Corfu, combined with running an international brand, is not always as effortless as it may seem. Especially when my children were younger and I was constantly traveling, there were many demands and challenges.
I certainly didn’t do it alone. I have a partner who supports me, and professionally, Nikolas Minoglou, without whom the company simply wouldn’t exist. Everything has been built on that balance.
An AGS story you will never forget
I remember that during the early years of the brand, Nikolas and I were in a taxi in London when we spotted a strikingly elegant woman walking down the street in a trench coat, wearing our winged sandals. We both started shouting with excitement—I think the driver was a little startled…
One piece of advice for those who want to work in Made in Greece fashion
Patience.
What do you love doing most?
Going on holiday.
Something we don’t know about you
When I was a child, I appeared on the ERT children’s television programme Chiliopodarousa (“The Millipede”), where I was the cooking assistant every week.
I also once found myself in the elevator at the Lalaounis Museum with Anna Wintour. Unfortunately, I was so shy that instead of introducing myself, all I could think was that I probably shouldn’t be in the elevator with her. I froze completely, felt terribly awkward, and to this day I still regret not saying hello.
Places you love returning to, and why
I love returning to Athens, where I grew up and where my family and friends live. I also love Paris, where I spent many years and where I still have close friends. In the summer, I enjoy escaping to the Diapontian Islands.
Your definition of beauty
Kindness and generosity of spirit—those are the essentials, and they are non-negotiable. Beyond that, of course, abundant hair, flawless skin, a beautifully shaped nose, and a sculpted body certainly help…
What do you consider authentic today?
Simplicity.
If you were to design something for The Authentics, what would it be?
A pair of flippers.
