Contessina London founder Clara Poulantza on Karen Radley for our latest “My Neighbourhood ” interviews
Tell me the history of Contessina:
Contessina London is a sustainable, fine artisan, design-led brand based in London and Athens.
It is a sister-brand to Contessina Athens, our family luxury fashion brand, established in 1958 in Athens by my grandmother.
Contessina was one of the main exclusive importers of luxury brands in Greece and among other we used to manufacture the Christian Dior pret a porter collection in our atelier in Athens. Our grandmother and mother opened the Christian Dior boutique in Athens, the first to be opened outside Paris.
Today the family brand is at the 3rd generation, my sister and myself. My sister is in charge of the boutique in Athens and I am the designer of Contessina Athens and founder of Contessina London.
My experience in luxury knitwear design and love of fine workmanship especially lace encouraged me to create the “My Precious Lace” jewellery collection.
Let’s talk about the lovely city of Athens:
Athens is the city where I was born, grew up and where my family and most of my childhood friends live. Wherever I am coming from, every time I land in Athens, a gentle warmth always envelops my heart.
Athens is an interesting blend of ancient heritage and modern creativity. Amidst its iconic ruins and historic landmarks, the city's creative scene thrives in lively burgeoning neighbourhoods like Monastiraki, Psiri, Thissio, Koukaki and Keramikos.
Additionally, the Athens Riviera, with its new grand developments, offers a stylish seaside escape that complements the city's modern cultural scene.
Favourite neighbourhood:
I am very fond of the old neighborhood of Plaka, the most historic area around the Acropolis in Athens, it feels like stepping into another era.
Favourite place for brunch:
Ergon House located in a modern boutique Hotel in downtown Athens - a cool Greek deli with a market style tables, serving contemporary Greek food sourced locally from their own producers. A Greek culinary experience.
Best coffee in Athens:
Carpo - best coffee spot: Zonars. A place that has been a coffee spot and a restaurant for a long time combining a good location with old elegant charm plus modern vibe.
Favourite gallery or museum:
Athens having a surfeit of great Museums that i very much enjoy visiting, makes it very difficult for me to make one choice. The Benaki Museum in Kolonaki housed in a neoclassical-style mansion, with the collection that covers everything from prehistoric busts and ancient amulets to Byzantine icons, traditional folk costumes and 19th century engravings. And the Ilias Lalaounis Jewellery museum, one of the few museums in the world dedicated to contemporary jewellery
Favourite place to shop:
I love strolling around and shopping at the Historic Triangle which is a tangle of streets, stoas and pedestrian alleys wedged between Syntagma and Monastiraki squares, where whole streets are devoted to specialist shops and maker's workshops selling various artisanal goods and food.
Favourite park:
The National Garden combined with the Zappeion Megaron.
Favourite food market:
The local farmers market
Your sanctuary in your neighbourhood:
Walking at the sunset along Dionysiou Aeropagitou Street through Pnyka hill and ending up to Plaka.
The most romantic and spiritual paved promenade in Athens alongside the Acropolis, is like a journey back in time, immersing you in the enlightened and soothing energy of the ancient city.
This summer season I’m loving:
The Greek Summer Festival including delightful performances at the ancient Theatre, Odeon of Herodes Atticus
