Retail
Mouki Mou, Plaka
In 2023 Maria Lemos opened the Athenian iteration of her influential London boutique, Mouki Mou. Tucked away under the Acropolis in the Plaka neighbourhood, the shelves display a handsome selection of homeware and womenswear picked to reflect Lemos’s slow-fashion ethos and penchant for textured and imperfect pieces.
Christakis Athens, Syntagma
This exquisite menswear shop is renowned for its artisanal techniques. “We developed a unique approach to translating body measurements into personalised patterns,” says Christos Nyflis, the founder’s grandson. “It is all done by hand, letting us incorporate a bit of our soul into each garment.”
Phāon, Kolonaki
In the wake of the pandemic, Dimitra Louana Marlanti and Alexandros Kalogiros opened a scent-related shop where they stock products that they grew accustomed to abroad. Besides fragrances by international brands from Perfumer H to Ormaie, Phāon’s offerings also include soap, vases, candles, incense and fresh flowers.
Ileana Makri, Kolonaki
In her Athens atelier, Ileana Makri’s steady-handed team works with raw materials including enamel and gold. Here metals and stones are melded in motifs of snakes, mosaic tiles (something she adores from her island home of Patmos) and celestial symbols.
Savapile, Psirri
Savapile’s hats have adorned heads since 1960 and is considered the last hat-making company in Athens to use traditional handmade millinery techniques. Famous for its straw hats and the “fisherman’s cap”, Lisa Sarigiannidou sells her custom-made creations to shops around the city.
Olgianna Melissinos Sandals, Monastiraki
The neighbourhoods of Monastiraki and Plaka are home to family-run shops that have meticulously crafted items for generations. Olgianna Melissinos Sandals is one such spot. Third-generation owner Olgianna MelissinosIt creates made-to-measure leather sandals inspired by the beauty of ancient Greek design.
Callista, Syntagma
Callista began with the grand ambition to create the perfect bag while championing Greek craftsmanship and empowering local women. All of the bags are handmade and the intricacy of the decorative designs have become a recognisable symbol of quality and ethical craftsmanship.
Anthologist, Vathis
In the Vathis neighbourhood, Andria Mitsakos transformed a neoclassical building into a by-appointment wunderkammer. Her elegant emporium brims with items produced in workshops in Athens, Egypt and Mexico. “It’s a brand for collectors and those who want to surround themselves with beautiful craft,” she says.
Zeus & Dione, Syntagma
Zeus & Dione is committed to creating sleek designs that celebrate traditional Greek craftsmanship. Their elegant clothing, accessories and homeware are an unmistakable nod to the motifs of Greek antiquity. Alongside the flagship shop on Voukourestiou Street, you’ll find a second location at the breezy Astir Marina.
Paraphernalia, Syntagma
Angela Koutroulaki and George Karras opened Paraphernalia in 2014 to fill the gap they perceived in Athens’s design market. Offering everything from candleholders to comely mid-century armchairs, this joyful jumble on industrial-style shelves is an apt representation of its name.
