Celia Kritharioti, the international Greek fashion designer

If Celia Kritharioti’s imprint on fashion had to be described in one word, that would be allure. Her creations, whether glamorous gowns for the most important evenings or luxurious bridal dresses for the happiest moment in a woman’s life, are not just beautiful and elegant; they are literally alluring. No one can resist them, and everyone remembers them forever. This is exactly what happened to those who had the fortune to see up close the Celia Kritharioti Couture collection for Spring-Summer 2024, presented at the Pavillon Cambon Capucines in Paris themed Deep Sea, starring the legendary Naomi Campbell, who opened the show, and world renowned Candice Swanepoel and Coco Rocha, who stole the spotlight on the runway.

The sea is a great love for the designer with the alluring personality. Elements such as the sea shells, symbolizing life, resilience, and hope, the corals with their magical colors, and the aquatic creatures like lobsters, seahorses, and crabs adorned mermaid and mini dresses. Sparkling handmade embroideries reflecting the iridescence of the waves and their play with the sun and moon captured the tradition of Greece’s oldest atelier, while the delicate fabrics «sculpted» by Celia in order to create unique evening gowns that exalt the female figure, dominated the catwalk. Blue, aqua, green, pink, purple, gold, silver, and yellow in organza and silk tulle compose a collection that praises the sea. «The sea is an inspiration and a reference point for me. I can’t live without seeing it or traveling by it» she explains to us during our interview.

 

Growing up in Greece to a family lineage of luxury retail aficionados dating as far back as the late 19th century, Kritharioti’s childhood was steeped in high fashion. «Fashion has been a defining part of my life from my earliest memories. As a little girl, I recall spending countless hours immersed in the atelier-observing seamstresses at work engaging in rehearsals, and delighting in the textures of the fabrics», she recalls. Often jetting off to couture shows alongside her mother and seeing behind the scenes of the world’s greatest ateliers in action, she soon became enthralled with the world of haute couture «Childhood trips to Paris, attending shows from Chanel to Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent, became a cherished tradition. This heritage is more than just knowledge; it encapsulates a unique aesthetic and mindset-the art of making every women feel truly exceptional», she explains.

Wanting to know more about the steps in her career that she truly cherishes, we asked her about them. «While completing my studies in Business and Economics at Athens University of Economics and Business I orchestrated my debut fashion shows in Athens, featuring esteemed models such as Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Iman, Gisele Bundchen, and Karolina Kurkova as honored guests.

 

This marked a resurgence of Greek couture fashion. Throughout the years, subsequent shows in London and New York showcased my designs, including the Pret-a-Porter collection “5226”, the children’s collection “5226 Princess”, sunglasses, and a makeup line in collaboration with MAC.

I also had the privilege of designing uniforms for Olympic Air and costumes for the Greek National Opera. In 2017, I unveiled the Celia Kritharioti Couture Collection at Paris Fashion Week and I’ve consistently presented my collections there ever since».

 

Today, from her atelier in Plaka, the oldest one in Athens originally built in 1906, and acquired in 1980 by her family, Celia Kritharioti designs unique creations that famous women such as Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lopez, and Taylor Swift choose to wear for the Oscars, the Baftas, or the Emmys, while in November 2023, she announced her exclusive presence at Harrods, one of the world’s most prestigious department stores. The grand unveiling of her exquisite collection captivated fashion enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike. «Launching at Harrods, an emblem of luxury, is a dream realized.

To further elevate our debut with the backing of Kate Moss and to be spotlighted during the festive season speaks volumes of Harrods’ faith in our brand. This collaboration is not just a nod to our heritage but also to the craftsmanship infused in every thread”, the world famous designer said at the time.

 

Without a doubt, Celia Kritharioti, devoted to her husband, Nikos Tsakos, Founder, President and CEO of Tsakos Energy Navigation (TEN) and their three children, is at the top of her game, so the most important question is, what is her vision? «My vision is quite simple and so difficult to accomplish: I don’t want to create just a beautiful dress but create something that will make a woman feel the best version of herself, to make her confidence rise as the zipper of her dress goes up» …