Tell us about your creative journey and the achievements you hold closest to your heart.
I feel truly fortunate to have followed a path that has been filled with creativity from a very early age. I always knew that garment construction was the most authentic way for me to express myself. Even during my school years, I was creating clothes from any material I could find—it was a natural need for expression.
Later, I had the opportunity to study what I genuinely loved and graduated first in my class. At the same time, I was already working in ateliers—initially during the summers and later throughout my studies—which allowed me to combine theory with hands-on practice from very early on.
After completing my studies, I gained professional experience in companies in London and Paris before taking on the most defining role of my career to date as Head Designer at Zeus + Δione, where I remained for nine years. During that time, I shaped my design identity in depth, combining the strict geometric element that has always characterized my work with substance, history, locality, and craftsmanship.
Through this process, I came to understand the power of symbolism, the value of tradition, and the importance of materials. Those years formed the foundation of both my creative and professional evolution.
When the time came to create something of my own together with Amelia Theodoropoulou, everything came together naturally. Kiohne was born as a synthesis of our experience, our identity, and our shared desire to express something new, personal, and meaningful.
How did the shift to swimwear happen, and how did Kiohne come to life? What values define the brand?
Swimwear has always fascinated me. From a design perspective, I felt there were many aspects that had not been explored in depth. It is a garment that highlights the natural beauty of the body, is intrinsically linked to summer—a season Amelia and I deeply love—and forms an essential part of Greek daily life.
At the same time, it felt almost obvious to us that internationally there should be a strong Greek swimwear brand, since Greece is so closely connected to summer holidays. When we decided to collaborate and create a new brand with a strong Greek identity, swimwear became the natural starting point for our collections.
I did not want to leave behind my experience in designing high-quality products. Our swimwear is therefore made from carefully selected materials, with thoughtfully engineered fit and meticulous attention to detail. The handcrafted and symbolic element remains central: after extensive research and testing, we developed our signature handmade embroidery, which accompanies most of our collections.
Quality, symbolism, research, and handcrafted value form the core of Kiohne and guide every creative decision we make.
You have developed a signature style that conveys a sense of craftsmanship and understated luxury. How did you achieve that?
For us, simplicity, thoughtful design, the story behind each creation, minimalism, and complexity coexist. Throughout my journey, I have learned how essential quality is, but also how much people appreciate uniqueness, attention to detail, refined simplicity, and the versatility of a piece that can be worn from morning to evening.
In our swimwear, this translates into the careful selection of materials. We use exceptional fabrics—from the outer layer to the lining—with a texture reminiscent of silk, adapted to the technical needs of Lycra. Those who wear our pieces often speak about their comfort and softness, which for us is the greatest validation of our work.
Despite swimwear’s inherently sporty nature, maintaining a handcrafted and symbolic element remains essential to us. Our signature embroidery, which has become a defining feature of our collections, gives each piece its own identity. All additional accessories are also designed exclusively by us, ensuring consistency and dedication throughout.
Most importantly, however, proper fit and impeccable construction are non-negotiable. Each piece is more than an object; it is the result of study, care, and love—for the product itself and for the person who will wear it.
What have been the brightest moments of this journey, and what is non-negotiable for you?
One of our brightest moments came during our first year, when part of our collection reached Gwyneth Paltrow. She chose to wear one of our swimsuits for her photoshoot for Financial Times – How to Spend It and kept additional pieces from the collection. We were told that she personally selected them among many other options. For us, that was a meaningful confirmation that we were moving in the right direction.
What remains entirely non-negotiable for us is our team. Our team consists of exceptional individuals who share the same dedication to what we create, the same commitment to hard work, and the same attention to detail. I strongly believe that without a strong team nothing can function properly. But when you manage to build one with consistency and depth, it creates the conditions for everything to become possible.
Having already built several years of a remarkable journey, which pieces or elements do you consider your most iconic?
Certain swimsuits from our very first collection remain core pieces of the brand to this day. The Coral swimsuit and our classic Ocean & Zoe triangle bikini, both featuring handmade embroidery, stood out from the very beginning and continue to be timeless choices.
These designs actually existed as ideas even before the company was founded and represent the core of our design identity. Both pieces were developed with particular emphasis on construction and precision.
Our philosophy is rooted in clean, geometric shapes that structure the swimsuit with accuracy while embracing the body in a balanced way. This simplicity of form and dedication to detail are defining elements of our work.
That is our philosophy: minimalism, structure, longevity. Design that stands the test of time.
What story does your new collection tell, and what innovation does it introduce?
Our new Summer 2026 collection, “EARTHWORKS,” by Kiohne draws inspiration from the morphology of nature and seeks to give back to it responsibly.
The forms, shaped by natural landscapes, are distinctive, and texture plays a central role in this collection. Draped elements embrace the body with a sculptural approach. To achieve this, we selected a lightweight, durable, and exceptionally soft fabric that is sustainable in origin, produced from regenerated raw materials through a mechanical process without chemical intervention. More than 50% of its composition comes from repurposed materials, contributing meaningfully to the reduction of CO₂ emissions and water consumption.
The second key texture of the collection is an eco-friendly jacquard fabric, subtly featuring the brand’s symbol woven into its surface. This textile utilizes modern technology designed to reduce the lifespan of fabric waste in the environment, limiting its impact on oceans and nature overall.
Our classic Lycra remains a constant reference point—either through our handmade embroidery or through bold color combinations and geometric lines. The decorative elements of the collection are inspired by the brand’s symbol, the snowflake, created by our beloved collaborator Dimitris Papazoglou. The symbol appears discreetly in beads and metal accessories such as belts, functioning as a consistent signature throughout the collection.
How challenging is it to create an entire collection from scratch each time one that tells a coherent story with distinct content?
For me, the creative process stems from an internal need for continuous exploration of new themes, which are studied in depth and translated into forms, patterns, and fits.
At the same time, in terms of materials, there is ongoing research and a constant dialogue with our collaborators regarding new technologies and contemporary possibilities. Our team approaches the new with readiness, knowing that each collection requires precision, dedication, and evolution.
With method and clarity of direction, every new collection is built from the ground up. It forms its own narrative, its own characteristics, and a clear line that moves between evolution and respect for the brand’s identity.
Who is your audience, and in which direction would you ideally like to expand?
Our audience consists of those who recognize quality, appreciate simplicity, and understand refinement. We address individuals who feel comfortable being themselves who wear a garment naturally, effortlessly, in harmony with how they perceive themselves and choose to present themselves.
It is not about age or specific types. In today’s era, fashion is no longer restricted by rules. Anyone can wear anything, in their own way. That freedom is perhaps one of the most meaningful aspects of fashion today.
Fashion vs. Design what place do they hold in your heart?
Design and fashion exist in constant interaction. Design has always shaped the fashion of each era, and fashion absorbs and translates design into something new. Today, we may be experiencing a period of greater homogenization and minimalism in form compared to previous decades.
Nevertheless, the act of design cannot be separated from its investigative nature. Designers do not abandon exploration, even when the framework becomes more restrictive. As a pure designer, I continue to approach design as a field of thought and research—studying its complexity and navigating the countless directions it can take.
Fashion remains a powerful means of expression for me. However, what defines me more deeply is the intensity of design—the process through which form acquires meaning. I move between the two, anchored by a constant passion for new creation.
What would be a dream project for you?
I believe I am already living my dream project. The absolute freedom in what I design, as well as in how it is visually interpreted and evolves over time, creates my ideal creative framework.
At the same time, my collaboration with Amelia is defined by complete communication at every level, while our team as a whole operates with cohesion and deep dedication. This environment is essential and forms an inseparable part of what I consider my dream project today.
When you enter a space, what do you notice first and why?
I notice the architectural angles, the lines that define a space and the way light diffuses and transforms its surfaces. I pay attention to materiality, texture, and temperature, as all of these elements shape the overall atmosphere.
I have always had a deep relationship with spaces. I believe they possess a dynamic quality capable of shaping experience and emotion even before any human presence intervenes. Even the most minimal space can feel powerful through its geometry, its light, and its silence.
The last thing you bought or would like to buy?
The Home Desk by George Nelson.
The fashion designer closest to your heart?
Coco Chanel from the past, and JW Anderson from today.
An exhibition you will never forget?
“Pleats: From Ancient Greek Dress to 21st Century Fashion,” held at the iconic Benaki Museum – Pireos 138.
Three places you return to and why?
Kea (Tzia), because in recent years it has shaped the rhythm of our summers. Its light, serenity, and the clarity of its landscape serve as a reminder of the value of simplicity.
Amorgos, because it was the first Greek island that deeply moved me aesthetically. The intensity of its geomorphology and the strictness of its landscape made me understand the power of structure and clean lines—elements that still influence the way I approach design.
And Paris, because each visit is an exercise in observation. From the architectural discipline of its streets to the power of its museums and hidden spaces, the city always manages to fill me with inspiration.
Your own definition of beauty?
For me, beauty is authenticity and strength. It lies in perception and in the way one sees the world. It is simplicity emerging through complexity.
What do you consider authentic today?
Today, I consider dedication to be authentic. In a world that moves quickly and often superficially, authenticity belongs to those who go deeper—who speak only about what they truly know. Authenticity is emotion that stems from depth and experience, not from the excess of images.
If you were to design something for TheAuthentics.gr, what would it be?
Perhaps an ecological bag, something designed to carry the things one truly loves.
Photography: Panos Davios
Styling: Giorgos Karapetis
Hair & Make-up: Chrysanthos Smyrnaios & Anna Bakatsaki
