Page 73 - MYCONIAN COLLECTION MAG 2021
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mykonians at heart





                                                                                           IT TAKES JUST A GLANCE at her clothes to
                                                                                           see why she describes them as “easy elegance”.
                                                                                           They feel effortless and comfortable, yet their
                                                                                           craftsmanship and creativity are evident. Ada
                                                                                           Kamara studied fashion in Paris but soon found
                                                                                           herself in India, and then in Mykonos. Both
                                                                                           were great sources of inspiration. Working
                                                                                           with natural materials, she is as confident as
                                                                                           her fashion – and she knows very well who
                                                                                           she makes clothes for.

                                                                                           How would you describe the world of Ada
                                                                                           Kamara? What ingredients comprise it?
                                                                                           It’s a world of simplicity. All the materials
                                                                                           are natural – cotton, silk, linen. The lines
                                                                                           are simple and the prints colourful. I think
                                                                                           timeless is the right word.
                                                                                           Who is the Ada Kamara customer?
                                                                                           Women of all kinds of backgrounds appreciate
                                                                                           my clothes. I have envisaged a summer with no
                                                                                           end lived by a woman of elegance, simplicity
                                                                                           and dominant femininity.
                                                                                           Do people who choose Mykonos for their
 VASILIS KARAFOTIAS  the Greek summer, placing the focus on the                            holidays seek inspiration in their life?
 light of the sun and the elements of the sky
                                                                                           Mykonos is like a magnet. This magnet attracts
 BESPOKE PIECES OF LIFE  and the sea. The brief here asked for luxurious                   many different people, who generally like to
 minimalism with references to nature. I’ll
                                                                                           come back! They seek the light! The positive
 Precision and creativity are not easy to combine   also mention the work we did for the Villa   ADA KAMARA  energy, the uplifting feeling that Mykonos
 Collection because it was so fulfilling despite
                                                                                           gives you, the freedom!
 in furniture design, yet Furniture Gallery CEO Vasilis   its challenges. This project revolved around   ENDLESS SUMMER  Do you follow specific creative routes
 Karafotias seems to have found just the right balance.   the art of hospitality, and our made-to-measure   yourself when designing your collections?
 constructions included long plush couches,                                                Not really; sometimes a collection is inspired
 comfortable beds and many more pieces. Of   Endless summer fashion inspired by Cycladic minimalism   by the fabrics I find, and other times I spend
 AT THE HELM OF a tight-knit team of   updating well-loved older pieces of furniture,   course, all of these designs had references to   and nature. This is the world of Ada Kamara, who crafts   a lot of time searching for the specific fabrics
 creative craftspeople, Vasilis Karafotias does   often antiques with a lot of sentimental value.   the Cyclades landscape that we made sure were   resortwear for the woman of the world.   I have in mind and want to use. I get really
 not hide his passion for the world of furniture   That is what Mykonos would be to me if it   free from clich�s. Instead, we chose to mirror   excited when I find a new fabric, a new
 and interior design, taking on the challenges   were a piece of furniture: A traditional piece   and pay tribute to the silhouettes of church   print, new embroidery – everything new
 of designing and manufacturing custom-made   – maybe an armchair or table – that has been   domes and buildings, and the textures found   that inspires me!
 pieces for commercial and private spaces.   given a new, very trendy and luxurious twist,   inside traditional homes. Our colours were   If you were asked to create an iconic piece
 Furniture gallery was established in 2004 and,   in the same way that the island combines the   both inspired by and complementary to the   to embody the spirit of a world traveller,
 in these 15 years, Vasilis has led it to a well-  best of both worlds.  famous Mykonos landscape and architecture.   what would it be?
 deserved prominence powered by out-of-the-  You’ve already completed projects on the   What is Mykonos to you?  It would be a great embroidered kaftan: easy
 box thinking, teamwork and dedication. He   island. What can you tell us about them?  Mykonos is iconic, but creating for it is a   to wear, quite long, comfortable for travelling,
 spoke to us about his close ties to Mykonos   It was very exciting to work alongside the   challenge. There is such a high level of hospitality   something that can be easily transformed with
 in a short but insightful interview.   director, set designer and interior designer   and services in general at properties such as   a belt and different accessories. A passe-partout,
 Antonis Kalogridis on several of the Myconian   those of the Myconian Collection, and since   as the French say – something very versatile.
 Design-wise, what befits Mykonos?  Collection hotels and resorts at Elia Beach.   it’s such a popular destination, the expectations   Where on Mykonos do you truly feel free
 For us, every new project is a story waiting   You wouldn’t believe the amount of thought,   are very high. We always give it our best – all   and relaxed?
 to be told. In the case of Mykonos, of course,   inspiration and planning that went into each   our energy, attention to detail and motivation.   I really love to lie on the sand. I love that
 the island is already full of interesting stories,   of these spaces. In the case of the Myconian   This is how we tackle challenges and bring new   moment when I fall asleep on the beach. I
 so when we are invited to take on a project   Avaton resort, we combined classic with   designs to life. This is how we shape stories.   feel truly relaxed and secure by the sound of
 based here, we will take into consideration not   contemporary high-end aesthetics, adding   Fortunately, working on Mykonos projects   the meltemi, the dry north wind that blows
 just the typical Cyclades architecture, but the   country and indie accents to the interiors for   also means getting to visit this breathtaking   only in the Aegean…
 functionality of the space we are designing for,   that extra effect. A challenge we faced was    island, which is a blessing.
 as well as its personality and that of the owner.   combining timber with fabric and LED in
 One type of project more and more clients   couches, armchairs, chairs, and other items,   FURNITURE GALLERY   ADA KAMARA STORES
 +30 210 5776745 info@furnituregallery.gr
 entrust to the Furniture Gallery in recent years   but everyone was elated with the result. At   II Eleftherias & Parnithos,  Ag. Ioannis Rentis,   • 2 Fl. Zouganeli, Mykonos 84600
                                                                                                  • 9 Klisthenous, Athens 10552
 involves upholstering, adapting and generally   the Myconian Imperial, the goal was to exalt   GR 18233, Athens, Greece.  www.adakamara.com

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