Page 134 - ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL 2022

ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL
Influence
“I brought Pin-Up Stars to Greece. I did
everything to get them on the market,
even put leaflets through people’s doors.”
F ounder Marie Zacharaki’s vi-
sion has transformed the Greek
resortwear scene and market, also
embracing everything from ready-
to-wear to accessories and home brands.
Salt Water was founded in 1995, when she identified a
gap in the domestic market. Why should swimwear be
confined to lingerie stores? Why can’t it be a fashion
statement? And indeed, it could. Marie Zacharaki’s
iconic company brings some of the most premium
fashion brands to Greece, from Orlebar Brown to
MC2 St Barth.
Today, Marie is one of the most successful and unique
figures in fashion. Salt Water’s monobrand and multi-
brand boutiques feature luxury flip-flops by Uzurii,
uplifting clothing by Camilla, the posh fragrances of
The English Soap Company, glamorous swimsuits by
Pin-Up Stars, coveted pieces by Balmain, stylish Stel-
la McCartney creations, and ethereal resortwear by
Temptation Positano – among others. In fact, her retail
network reaches 1 in 5 locals and visitors.
She set off on this glamorous journey young but nev-
ertheless set the bar high and strived for what she loves.
Having studied architecture in Italy, she earned a Mas-
ter’s in Design and speaks four languages. Marie Zach-
araki has an inherent passion for creation. Self-made,
she worked with determination and decisiveness to
eventually direct a company that boasts three mono-
brand stores (Orlebar Brown in Mykonos, MC2 San-
torini and MC2 Astir Palace Beach (Vouliagmeni)), five
multibrand stores (three in Attica and one in Paros) and
two multibrand corners in Athens.
We met in her stunning boutique inside the Four Sea-
sons Astir Palace Hotel Athens, in Vouliagmeni. Talk-
ing with Marie revealed a magical world of fashion,
inspiration and resolve.
How does a career woman combine success and fam-
ily life?
I set the bar high. Had plenty of experiences but I was
in it for the long term. My years living abroad matured
me and gave me a vision, but I never lost sight of my
Marie Zacharaki in her stunning boutique inside the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens, in Vouliagmeni. goal: building a beautiful, close-knit family and expe- tion, and that was important to me. I was on a mission.
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"OTHERS WOULD GO TO
riencing the serenity that can only come from creating CAPRICE; WE WOULD
something of your own and then sharing it with the WORK. BECAUSE WE WERE
people you love.
Growing up, I traveled a lot with my parents because my TOILED, STAYED UP ALL
INCREDIBLY PASSIONATE
What motivated you in your professional path?
I wanted to travel the world. I had a vision and an af-
ABOUT SWIMWEAR. WE
finity for creating. I also wanted to be independent.
father was a pilot with Olympic Airways. This opened
NIGHT, FELL ILL, BUT ROSE
my horizons and my ambition.
Back then, it was difficult for a Greek woman to move
TO THE OCCASION."
abroad. How was it for you?
I was incredibly enthusiastic. Afraid of nothing and
taking nothing for granted. I wanted to finish school,
I chose to study in Italy – which was fortunate because
I met lots of illustrious people in fashion. I worked for
move on, discover, experiment! But I also worked hard.
Fiorucci, who collaborated with Jean Paul Gaultier.
Gaultier was a huge name at the time – we made clothes
for Madonna. This was my introduction to high quality How did Ralph Lauren come into the picture? and friends helped – and vice versa, as people fell in
in fashion design. And it gave me an unwavering vision After Italy, I was invited to the US – a tempting offer love with the products. They sold out right away.
and standards. that nevertheless did not tempt me. I’d made up my When did you feel you made your dream a reality?
Did you visit Greece in the six years of your absence? mind. I had built a strong network and wanted to re- With the Astir Beach concept store – Salt Water Bou-
Often, even on weekends. We took our vacations in turn to Greece. I missed my friends. Today, I might tique. When I traveled with my parents in Miami, New
Mykonos, at a very authentic era. My friends and I have chosen differently. So my sister calls me and says York, Paris, Caribbean, where there are a lot of resorts,
would rent locals’ houses, ride vespas, swim, dive… Ralph Lauren are looking for someone for their Kol- I observed what people wore. I saw how they dressed
Authentic fun in a virgin landscape. onaki store – the first one. I was hired within a day. and didn’t like how commercial and boring the stores
You had a unique, key influence on the swimwear In Italy, at Gaultier, I learned about design and pat- were. I was determined to do things differently if I had
scene in Greece. How did you get this idea? tern. We would follow his mood board and do the test the chance.
In our country summer lasts several months. Back in drive. At Ralph Lauren, I learned about retail. VIP I was lucky enough to choose brands that took off. I
the day, swimsuits only lived in lingerie stores and were customers, amenities, luxury. At 24 years old, I was introduced new names such as Camilla, Agua Bendita,
utilitarian, not beautiful! Same in Italy. So I got the idea managing seven people. MC2 St Barth. I also brought to the market no brand
to design swimsuits. I was studying architecture at Do- And what about your passion for swimwear? companies that grew alongside myself – such as Melissa
mus Academy, but there were fashion design courses I never stopped marketing swimwear but I was pressed Odabash who now has incredible brand awareness and
available, and among the instructors was Ferré. There for time. I managed three floors at Ralph Lauren, for turns over 80 million.
was a swimwear shop in Kalogera, Pan, which agreed to three-four years. I would return home at 11. But it had This was where all my ideas took form. I created a re-
stock our pieces. We made amazing swimwear featuring run its course and I wanted to move on. I started my laxed store. I wanted a different experience – to have
gems, colors, beautiful double-sided Lycra textiles. They own swimsuit business. As I was looking for a store, it be part of the customers’ vacations. When my Salt
said, “Girls, come sell them yourselves!” And we took a Alexandros Manos approached me with a new concept Water multibrand store opened at the Four Seasons, it
leap of faith, heading there to work! And we discovered in marketing and media. I joined him for two years. But was a dream come true: a slow-living resort boutique. It
Mykonos behind the scenes. Louisa, Vanda Katoutsi I would still sell my swimsuits to friends – at Poros, at had a sitting area, spacious fitting rooms, large till area
and I – the bohemian, the iconic woman and I, with the water ski centers. I’d never stopped traveling and that gives you a sense of comfort, like being at home.
a more relaxed attitude. Three strong personalities, so searching for amazing swimwear all around the world. It was a success!
different. But we were so enthusiastic. Others would So, I brought Pin-Up Stars to Greece. I did everything What do you feel is your reward?
go to Caprice; we would work. Because we were incred- to get them on the market, even put leaflets through When people tell me they are glad to send me their
ibly passionate about swimwear. We toiled, stayed up people’s doors. customers.
all night, fell ill, but rose to the occasion. It taught us Where do you think your secret to success lies? What’s next for you?
so much: responsibility, tiredness, teamwork, limits… It’s essential that you do what you love. It’s impor- I’ve had an offer from Hawaii for a large shopping
It was Vanda’s first time wearing shoes decorated with tant to travel to find stimuli. To see things. I think center in NY and LA, that features brands such as
Swarovski crystals. out of the box. Once, for a winter collection, I hired Rolex, Tesla and Victoria’s Secret. I’m considering
How do you see yourself today, looking back? Dionysos restaurant near the Odeon of Herodes At- making Salt Water a new international concept. But
It was no laughing matter. I fought every day. I’m so proud ticus and flooded it with Styrofoam. It was a modern, I have always been careful and conservative in my ven-
GEORGE BOLBASSIS when I think about it. I learned self-confidence. I found revolutionary show in a classical setting with an in- tures. I continue to dream but my children and my
my footing. I had no qualms. I was creating my collec- credible view. Pin-Up Stars were a success. The me- family take priority. They give me balance and make
dia saw I was unique and supported me. My network me feel alive and happy. 
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