Page 54 - MYCONIAN COLLECTION MAGAZINE 2023

MYKONIA NS AT HEART

Top left and clockwise:
pendant from the Delos
Collection, pendant from
the Mykonos Collection,
bracelets and pendant
from the Golden Shore
Collection, ring from the
Cinema Collection.
Maria Makryianni

She is a pure Myconian lady who was location. The exceptionally beautiful
born and raised in the legendary island aspects of Delos created centuries ago
of Mykonos and the designer behind the are the basis of the jewellery in the Delos
illustrious company GEORGIOS & CO Collection - aspects that leave a truly
Fine Jewellery. She knows nearly every lasting impression. You could say that
stone in Mykonos island and this is what anyone lucky enough to have acquired
makes the difference in her jewellery a piece from the collection has also
creations. We caught up with Maria to acquired a part of Delos’ history.
discover more about the pieces she What are in your opinion those singular
designs and creates and how they reflect or particular elements that have helped
the beauty of the island of Mykonos. you stand out from the competition in
What makes a piece of jewellery the Mykonos market? The quality of
timeless? What is at the heart of the items and their timelessness, the
the Georgios & Co’s Fine Jewellery excellent service offered, and ultimately
collections? Designing and creating the fact that I truly believe in and love
Georgios & Co jewellery is a complex what I do.
process that requires a high sense of How do you spend your time on
aesthetics and excellent craftsmanship. Mykonos? Is it difficult to balance work
It’s this aesthetic that informs the design and pleasure? Mykonos is indeed a truly
of the piece and helps make it unique and inimitable place. I chose to live on this
LIVING OFF THE LAND ultimately timeless. Craftsmanship is the wonderful island, and I wouldn’t change
"We are no business. We second but also most vitally important it for the world. The architecture, the sun,
are a home", says Nikos
Zougalenis about Rizes ingredient that ensures precision and sea and wind, they are all elements that
Folklore Farmstead, and it's a quality in every piece. It’s both my give me so much inspiration and drive to
Nikos Zouganelis jewellery that our customers will hold on Are your sons planning to enter the
Mykonos home open to all.
dream and passion to design and create
continue to design and create jewellery.
family business? Both of my sons have
to and cherish for life.
How do your pieces incorporate the expressed an interest in the world of
“What visitors see is our life, lived as close as possible to my memories of older generations”, says Nikos islands of Mykonos and Delos? Georgios jewellery from a very young age. They
Zouganelis, who grew up in a traditional Mykonos farmstead. His father, Giannis, kept sheep and cultivated & Co has a long history on the island marvel at the process of making a piece
the land while his mother tended to the household and made cheese. Nikos felt an urge to honor this of Mykonos. In fact, two of the first by hand and they’re curious about it.
authentic way of life by creating a fully functional farmstead that taps into the “rizes” [roots] of the land collections that were ever designed Just seeing them in our workshop and
and traditional folk life. Rizes Folklore Farmstead was the result. “We are no business. We are a home – were the Mykonos Collection and the our stores fills me with joy and gives
expanded to welcome visitors, but still a home”. Visiting Rizes, you start to understand this way of life, with Delos Collection. Contemporary but me energy. I believe they will be worthy
the wood oven, cheese dairy, cows, chicken coop, wine press, vegetable patches, donkeys… Nothing is timeless at the same time, the Mykonos successors of our family tradition and take
“frozen in time” because nothing is for show and everything is tended to following traditional methods. You Collection encompasses the light, the the company with its 40 year history even
can also see folklore artists working the loom, painting icons, creating traditional “tsampouna” bagpipes… wind, the sea – all elements which further in the future.
When you visit, you are a guest. “We want to show visitors they are loved and tended to; to treat them, abound on the island – and draws from After your admittedly impressive career
make friends with them – then, if they want, they can participate in this life, and understand how things the cosmopolitan character and vibe that trajectory, what is your life philosophy?
were before technology”, explains Nikos. And indeed, you can join him at the grape harvest, the traditional Mykonos exudes. The Delos Collection Do what you love and love what you do
threshing, the olive harvest, or the traditional festivals... More than anything, though, this family want you to comprises unique pieces of jewellery which I believe is echoed in the best way
join them at the table, breaking bread and living a purer life for a few hours. www.rizesmykonos.com • inspired by Delos Island’s truly matchless possible in the jewellery we make. •

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