Page 103 - BLUE INK 2018

Alexandra Theochari, creator of
ORIGIN
“Τhe infinite changes
in the landscape are unique.
You are standing in a wild
landscape at the foothills
of Mount Psiloritis and just a few
kilometers away there is an
exotic beach, a green plateau,
a luxury resort, a traditional village
and a modern city .... “
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at the foot of the Asterousia Mountains and you
the brand Klotho can only get to it by sea. It is a magical place with
Drawing inspiration from the traditional art of green waters, black sand, rocky formations and
weaving in Crete, Klotho’s founder and designer caves.
creates clothes, handbags and other items that What is the first thing you want to try
combine Cretan tradition and technique with immediately you arrive home?
motifs and colours that keep up with modern I don’t have to think twice about that one -
trends and lifestyles. Her company is named sfakiani pies and calitsounia pies (both kinds of
after the first of the three Fates who, according Cretan cheese pies) with honey and cinnamon.
to Greek mythology, spun the thread of human Can you finish this phrase for us: For me
life. And, somewhat similarly, she herself Crete isn’t Crete without…
has spun her own fate. Although she is from Listening to the lyre, local dances, festivals in the
Thessaloniki, when she found herself in Crete villages in the summer, good wine and, of course,
after her studies she soon became integrated its proud and spontaneous people.
into the local community and loved the island’s Tell us about a trip you have taken, either
culture and traditional arts. Guided by her by car or on foot, that would enchant any
own personal experience, her passion and her traveller.
studies in Art History, she dreamt up her own The Kourtaliotis gorge is a wonderfully charming
Klotho, a brand that gives life back to traditional trip, however you do it. After going between
wooden looms by combining them with clean, giant rocks that literally hang over your head for
geometric lines and minimalist influences deeply a few miles, through a wild landscape with caves,
rooted in the simplicity of classical Greece. churches and narrow passes, you see the Cretan
Sea, calm and blue, waiting for you.
What characteristics make Cretans stand out Tell us where is the best place to take a deep
as different, even today? breath and enjoy the view.
One characteristic that definitely distinguishes The view from my balcony! I am lucky because
them is hospitality. Cretans will take you into their the first thing I see when I open the window in
houses and make you feel that you are part of the morning is the sea. I take a deep revitalising
their families. They will not let you go away if they breath – and my day starts positively!
have not given you something they have made Tell us your favourite place to take
themselves- wine, raki, fruit from their garden ... photographs. Describe the shot to us:
What influence has Crete had on your At the moment we are looking for the right
personality - who you are and what you have place to photograph the 2019 collection. I can
chosen to do with your life? imagine a place that will capture the many
Crete is my homeland by choice. I have made faces of Crete. We want to have the calm of the
great friendships here, I have created my family sea, the ruggedness of the mountain and the
here, I love the way of life and the people, cosmopolitan lifestyle.
I appreciate the island’s traditions and arts What do you think is unique about Crete?
that the Cretans know so well and keep alive. Crete is a blessed place. What I find unique
I dedicated myself to one of these arts and are the infinite changes in the landscape. You
decided to keep it alive and, if I can, to help it are standing in a wild landscape at the foothills
evolve. of Mount Psiloritis (Mount Ida) and just a few
Where in Crete do you personally identify kilometers away there is an exotic beach, a
with complete relaxation? green plateau, a luxury resort, a traditional
I often seek and find complete relaxation in village and a modern city .... It is somewhere
Gavdos, the small island south of Chania where you will never be bored of!!!
everything goes slower, far away from the anxiety
and stressful rhythms of everyday life.
Tell us what is your favourite beach in the
island, maybe one that visitors do not know
about.
Aspes Beach is one of the most beautiful and
least well-known beaches on the island, as it is By Despoina Sampson
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