The Olympia Pattern

I love this old photograph of my great grandparents! They look good and happy together – and seem to be proud to let the photographer secure this moment for eternity.

I love how Seraphim holds his arm relaxed and lovingly around his Olympia, maybe also ever so slightly to protect but more to say «she is mine». They are so elegantly dressed. She in shining white contrasting her thick, raven black hair proudly carrying her pearl necklace, golden bracelet, wedding ring and chic sunglasses like the true lady she was. He no worse in a tailored, striped suit, a white shirt that fits perfectly and – of course – a tie with patterns on it.

When I started to design «The Heritage Collection», which is my first collection ever, I knew I wanted to dedicate a pattern to my great grandparents, especially to my great grandmother. According to my mother, Olympia was a unique woman in many ways. She was kind, warm-hearted and friendly – an easy person to be around, someone who made you feel at home, always welcome and surrounded by love. I guess many great grandmothers and grandmothers are like that.

But my Olympia was also an exceptionally strong and hard-working woman. With Seraphim by her side, they built up a successful textile business. They were loved by their customers and friends – and appreciated by the Greeks, Armenians and Turks alike through out their community in old Istanbul. This acceptance and respect also from the Turks, was something very important in those days.

When Seraphim died, Olympia’s strength and unwavering character served her well. She became the centre of the universe that was my father’s family. She continued to run the textile business, managing five weavers at the same time as she took care of her daughter Alexandra and helped out to raise my father, who remembers his grandmother very well:

«She was a radiating force like the sun, always passionate and dedicated about her work. At the same time she was giving so much love to people around her. She was smiling and laughing – and working hard. I don’t know where she drew all that strength from. Deep inside her, I think»

I feel a deep connection with my great grandmother, even if I never met her. Just like her, I create and work with patterns and textiles. Maybe that is something, which has been handed down through the generations – from her to me.

In my Olympia pattern I have tried to capture my great grandmother’s strength and power, as well as her delicate touch and love. I wanted to make a pattern with a soft and strong centre, which radiates and glows.

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