The precious world of Katerina Psoma

Originally from the heart of Athens, Katerina Psoma was surrounded by a strong sense of culture and style. Her aesthetic was broadened, and passions realised over the years that came.  Katerina developed her love of vintage materials whilst she studied History of Art at Rome and London. During her doctoral studies, she travelled around the world to broaden her artistic horizons.  These trips inspired her to forage for jewellery, unique trinkets and charms in an array of flea markets.  Based in these findings, she created the first personalised pieces. Coupling vintage charms, semi precious stones, wooden and odd murano beads, she has never strayed from creativity. Inspiration for the themes and stories prevalent in these collections come from a multitude of references such as art, current and native world cultures. 

Katerina’s lively and vivacious character is reflected through these eclectic, innovative pieces that highlight the value of ingenuity in design.

When we visited her showroom to view her magnificent collection, we felt like entering to a magical colourful world where Katerina was our fairytale hostess. Whilst trying on the jewellery and taking pictures for all our beloved wanderers, Katerina was in the process of creating her upcoming collection.

Every piece is produced on an old carpenter’s table. "This is where we work; this is home. I sense that the carpenter’s handmade tradition is magically transmitted in every single piece."


To me, Katerina is one of Greece's most "precious stones" and one of those few people who are a source of inspiration to me! Everytime I see her, and talk to her I feel so overwhelmed and stimulated by her allure that I know that it's people like her who make me love this whimsical world called fashion!
I hope that you will enjoy this interview as much as I did!

FW: The majority of the world we live in has nothing to do with fashion nor finds interest in it. For whom do you work? What does your work reflect and towards whom?

K.P: Fashion, nowadays, has involved into a serious industry, from the price of cotton, production, distribution, sales, PR etc. So, it forms a part of our society no matter the social interest, or its absence.  My work is not related with fashion so much as it is related with the pursue of aesthetics.  I never follow the trends and if my work reflects some of them, it is coincidental.  I create pieces that are based and communicate some messages and ideas.The women who buy them are not after a hot accessory to match their trendy clothes with.  They trust that they will own a special piece with a little story, which will transcend the seasonal deadline.    

FW: What's fashion for you? Define the word fashion.

K.P: That is a good question; we always talk about fashion but never about its definition.  Fashion refers to the prevailing styles of appearance that a society massively adopts.  It is made of distinctive trends that become popular styles or practices.  Fashion is closely related and influenced by society and historical, cultural and political factors.  It reveals one's social status or social subgroup.  Fashion is a term addressed to the whole not to the individual and does not exist outside the social nexus.  It often mirrors our societal, historical and cultural environment.   For me, fashion is not about matching colors and mixing laces with satin....It is about understanding and decoding our society and bringing some messages forth as a piece of jewellery.  My jewellery thus reflect the collective subconscious and desires of the society I am leaving in.

   

FW: Which was the most influential person in your life so far and the mostmemorable memo in your career and why?
The most influential person was Lena Papanikolaou, a friend and buyer in the hottest boutiques in Athens.  She wore my jewellery from day one of my small career and when I was finishing a collection she was the first to view it.  We had a very special bond; she understood exaclty what I had in my mind and mirrored it back to me in the most enthousiastic way. She is irreplacable. I have many moments; I much enjoy my daily routine, working with my team, going to the fairs, the meetings with the buyers and press.  However, if I had to pick just one memory, I think that my first London Fashion Week participation is the most vivid.             
                                                                                                                           

FW: Is Greece an inspirational country regarding your work? In what way?                                              

K.P: Greece is the absolute inspiration in many, many ways.  First, I look at the Parthenon and its golden ratio everyday.  That is why, I think, I am obsessed with the quest of the perfect proportions. My notions on Greek phylosophy, art, theater have deeply influence the way I create my pieces.  Even the colors of the sea, the Attican sky or the olive trees leaves (green on the one side, silver on the other) always find their way of being expressed in my jewellery.

FW: What inspires you when it comes to conceiving the idea of your new collection 

(a place, a person, a colour, a particular stone)?                                                                                                                                   

K.P: The materials I find as well as concepts or people.  Once, I was inspired by Iris Apfel, another time by Hydra and the movies shot on the island.  A third collection was dedicated to the pegeon houses of Tinos Island.  Architecture, people, or state of being have a clear reference in the collections.  However, the backcone is always the material I find in various parts of the world and flee markets.

FW: Describe Katerina Psoma's woman.  

K.P: I do not have a clear idea about the woman who wears my jewelelry but they all have something in common: they are well educated, polite and share a good sense of humor. 

FW:How would you describe your personal style? What inspires you most? 

K.P: Humor: I do not mind wondering in Athens or Paris or wherever being dressed in the most absurd combinations; however these are never trivial......

FW: What are your favourite pieces in your wardrobe? 

K.P: I love green dresses; I have plenty of them...I think I will be buried in a green dress, to match the grass....

FW: Do you believe in jewellery trends (eg the statement necklace)? 

K.P: I beleive only in what makes us feel confortable and beautiful.  Jewellery is not about fashion; it is about an emotional state....

FW: How has recession affected fashion as a whole (apart from the sales part) and how did it change you? 

K.P: We live in the land of plenty, or in the land where plenty is not enough....I always find exagareted consumerism kind of scary.....The offer of so many material goods combined with the lack of a phylosophical or cultural movement is the peril of our society. Selling less has nothing to do with the creative state of a designer; my collections are always available in limited numbers.  This is not necessarily a loss since it protects the brand and my creative instincts. I do not mind selling fewer pieces as long as they perfectly reflect my creativity. 

F.W: What is the future of the social media and what is their impact to your work?

K.P: I love instagram because it is the channel through which I communicate my world.  I do not like the aggressive selling techniques that some stores use in order to attract more costumers through social media.  In my view, uploading photos of trendy items and fashion news exclusively is boring.  The impact of the social media is huge; not only for sales.  Primary and most importantly to communicate ideas..... 

FW: Which are the social networks or apps you cannot live without?  

K.P: I love posting photos on Instagram and I am an obsessed passive reader on Twitter, regarding financial news and daily articles, as well as fashion and art.  I am not a great fan of Facebook

FW: Could you reveal us some of your future plans? 

K.P: To find time to read the Leopard once again.  To find time to watch "In the Mood for Love" once again.  To find time to have a silly chat with my best friend.  To find time to arrange all the familly photos and clear that top shelf in my library from uneccessary papers.

FW: What is your moto in life? 

K.P: Ok! Stop panicking, take a deep breath and count till ten!! 

FW: Give FashionWandering's readers a jewellery fashion tip. 

K.P: Always follow your own instict.  It is irrepplacable and suits you better!!!

If you like my favourite Tagari bag on the picture above stay tuned, as this is Katerina's new project for which I am more than excited!!!

You can find some of Katerina's creations online at luisaviaroma.com and yoox.com or you can visit her website: http://www.katerinapsoma.com/. Her e-shop will be launched soon!

Photos by Lydia Koukou and Ioanna Tsivanidou

Inside Netrobe : An exclusive interview with Christina Plakopita

Inspired by the now infamous virtual closet in Clueless, Netrobe, an iPhone app out of Athens, Greece, attempts exactly this, helping you remember the individual items from your wardrobe by giving you a tool to catalog them. Netrobe allows iPhone users to mix and match individual items of clothing or accessories on a Styleboard, create outfits for events, pack entire suitcases or add inspirational images to a Lookbook.

The Netrobe iPhone application publicly launched in August 2011, and has since become a top-ten ranked iPhone "lifestyle" application in the United States, with similar rankings in other countries, including number one in Greece and Romania, and number four in Brazil.

"Netrobe is a socially interactive way to create and refine your style", says founder and president Christina Plakopita, a 28-year-old fashion technology entrepreneur who first dreamed up the idea while living in New York city. "There are a lot of sites that provide fashion inspiration, and Netrobe is a way for people to apply those ideas to their own closets."

Being a huge fan of this app, I met Christina and she was kind enough to answer a few questions for all of you my beloved Fashion Wanderers!

FW: The concept of Netrobe, I believe, is inspired from the movie 'Clueless' and Cher's wardrobe. First of all what is the competitive advantage of Netrobe? What does Netrobe offer which makes it unique?

C.P: I was inspired by the movie but I also wanted to create something useful and applicable to different women. The competitive advantage of Netrobe is the usability and clean inspirational design. It is a user-friendly app, which helps you create a record of your clothes by photographing them and removing the background with a sophisticated Photoshop like technology. On top of that the design is simple, inspiring and frames all of your clothes into digital Polaroids, so that you can happily spend hours staring at what you own.

 Through Netrobe, you can save time in organizing your clothes and you can save money by avoiding purchasing the same things. Netrobe is unique, as it allows you to access your wardrobe wherever you are and helps you be more creative and stylish with your outfit choice

FW: What is your target market? Who is using Netrobe's app and why? 

C.P: The app is available for anyone interested in the service. Our target is both 2.0 men and women, from 15 to 45 years old. Netrobe is currently used mostly, by fashion savvy women, who have limited time to organize their wardrobe and who want to be reminded of outfit alternatives. 

FW: What is the vision of the company? Where do you aim to be in 5 years time?

C.P: In 5 years, I would like to see Netrobe becoming a useful tool for every woman and all those men who are interested to combine technology with style. I also aim to make Netrobe a common platform for people who want to share their digital wardrobe, to talk about fashion trends and style and to exchange clothes or accessories all over the world. 

 FW: What is your future plan in order to upgrade your customer service?

C.P: Our aim is to make the process more fun by making it a social tool and allowing consumers to shop online through their virtual closet. There are more surprises to come in the near future..!

FW:  Are there any bloggers or other individuals from the fashion industry that you would like to collaborate with in the future?·        

C.P: I am willing to collaborate with a lot of people from the industry by developing customized and special projects. Would love to have the opportunity to work with Garance Dore, Alexandra Spencer of 4^th and Bleecker, Elin Kling, Olivia Palermo and Rachel Zoe. There is so much talent out there that the list is endless though.

FW: What is the future of the social media, and what is their impact to your work?

C.P: The social media have definitely changed the way business is done in the western world. It is the first time in history where consumers are truly heard. Businesses have understood the impact of consumers in decision-making and now the economy is consumers-oriented. The word of mouth has become the most important marketing technique. The future is digitalized and the new social world is looking more prominent that we can ever imagine. I think it’s a friendlier, happier and more honest world. Personally, on Netrobe I’m integrating this trend to the core product. We’re going to embrace all social media outlets and make Netrobe one too.

FW: How would you describe your personal style? What inspires you most?

C.P: My style is minimalistic with a touch of glam. I get inspiration from everything, as long it has a twist! I love fashion magazines and editorials, catwalks and shows. I am truly inspired by young, talented individuals who dare to run after their dreams and from powerful minds who make the difference.

FW: You are into fashion yourself! Which are your favorite fashion designers?

C.P: Proenza Schouler, 3.1 Phillip Lim, AKRIS, Alexander Wang and Chloe.  

 FW: What are your favorite pieces in your wardrobe?

C.P: Emm, let me sign in to my Netrobe and tell you... kidding.

My, what I like to call, museum pieces are… a one shoulder black evening dress from Akris, my grey Chanel evening shoulder bag and my black spiked Christian Louboutin peep-toes.

 FW: What is your moto in life? 

C.P: Own it. Style it. Share it. 

And it doesn't have to do only with clothes. It is nice to be an authentic and own your personality, style it continuously with improvements and then having the altruism and eagerness to share it with the world. 

FW: Give FashionWandering's readers a fashion tip.

C.P: Never abandon your personal style to become something that you cannot support. Always follow your instinct. 

 Being someone who should dress up for work everyday, when i discovered Netrobe my life became easier! I organize myself throughout the weekend, I know what to wear everyday and its fun as well!
Download the Netrobe application yourselves, capture, organize, style and wander through your clothes and your entire wardrobe! This is my favourite iPhone app, and apart from that Netrobe runs one of the coolest blogs with a selection of the most inspirational photos, fashion news and campaigns! Check it out here.

Wandering around Katie Rowland's jewellery collection

Award winning 'New Jewellery Designer of the Year', Katie Rowland launched in 2009 with her revered 'St Tropez' collection. Named in the industries 'Hot 100' list, Rowland has since shot with Rankin and collaborated with the fashion industries finest including Chloe Kerman, Gemma Slack and Hasan Hejazi.

Awarded the Lonmin Design Innovation Award For Platinum two years running, Winner of Coutts New Jewellery Award and Winner of the Sonama Cutrer Design Award, Katie Rowland's latest accolade of New Jewellery Designer Of The Year' has cemented Rowland as the one to watch. Bringing her to the forefront of the fashion worlds attention, Rowland has captivated press, buyers and celebrities with her unique designs.

Katie Rowland's eponymous designs of 'St Tropez' and 'Lilith' have secured her global stockists including Liberty of London and New York's Treasure and Bond, whilst cultivating a strong celebrity following including Keri Hilson, Lady Gaga, Cheryl Cole, Daisy Lowe and Tali Lennox.

Inspired by the female form, Rowlands designs investigate the powerful human emotions of lust, escapism and pleasure to offer a luxurious, seductive yet playful collection across her Signature collection, Fine Jewellery range and bespoke pieces. Her unique use of gold and precious stones perfectly blur the boundaries between jewellery, fashion and design creating luxurious adornment for the modern woman.

Katie showcased her Spring Summer 2011 jewellery collection during London Fashion Week at the Vauxhall Fashion Scout Exhibition. This is where i met her and i had the chance to have a close look and admire her sculptural jewellery. My instant huge crush and immediate buy was the knuckle duster (see below)!!

Katie was really kind to answer to a few questions of mine for all the fashion wanderers.

FW: What was your inspiration for this collection?

KR:The St. Tropez collection which includes the stone set knuckledusters, was inspired by 1960's St. Tropez where the stars of the era used to enjoy cocktail graced days followed by sultry nights. It screams statement jewels and red carpet glamour. The collection looks great dressed up, or worn simply, with a white shirt. It really is for the women who is looking to make a killer entrance....and exit!

FW: Why do you think jewellery are important as a part of an outfit?

KR:Jewellery is probably one of the most important accessories, it can really make an outfit and take clothes to another world. 

FW: What's fashion for you? Could you please define me the word "fashion"? 

KR:Fashion to me is about creativity, experimentation and a big dollop of glamour! I'm in the jewellery business and I work with some of the most precious materials known to man, so it's pretty exciting to be surrounded by all that sparkle. 

FW: Who are your distributors in the UK or abroad?

KR: Liberty of London, Machine-A, Azendi, Nude, Johnny Rocket, Pressleys

Kiki de Montparnasse - New York

Treasure and Bond - New York

With her innovative designs Katie has cultivated a celebrity following that includes Cheryl Cole, Coco Sumner, Tali Lennox, and Danni Minogue and Lady Gaga to name a few.

I can't wait to meet her again and view her Salome SS12 collection in London Fashion Week in about a week time!

Photos by LYDIA KOUKOU and katie-rowland.com