Ysso, a jewelry brand, has introduced a captivating pop-up store in Notting Hill, offering Londoners a delightful taste of perpetually sunny Greece. This pop-up space proudly exhibits Ysso’s elegant gold jewelry, complemented by an array of brands including Ett Hem London, renowned for its luxury faux flowers; the clothing brand La Veste; and Atelier 278, a home accessories label.
Alexia Karides, the creative director of Ysso and a former corporate lawyer, shared her motivation for this initiative: “I thought that it was a very beautiful way to create communities around these female-led brands, expand our circles, and tell their stories.” Karides founded the brand in 2020, drawing inspiration from her mother, an archaeologist and art historian who had a flair for jewelry design.
Alexia Karides is behind the Greek-inspired jewellery brand.
Karides’s designs incorporate her mother’s jewelry concepts and Greek motifs. She elaborated, “We started using traditional Greek fabrics for inspiration, and many of our hand-carved designs are inspired by Greek architecture and lace.” Sustainability is a pivotal element of Ysso’s design ethos. “It’s very important to me that our materials consist of up to 35 percent recycled metals. The boxes are manufactured in the U.K. and are recyclable as well,” she emphasized.
Ysso produces its jewelry in limited quantities in Greece, primarily following a direct-to-consumer business model. Karides highlighted her close involvement in the production process, stating, “I have direct contact with the producers and oversee every aspect of production. Empowering these artisans is a significant driving force behind the brand.”
Source: Greek City Times