‘Fashion is not for fat people’
Locally-born fashion designer Erotokritos is known around the world but prefers the slow pace of Nicosia to the bright lights of Paris
He is cute but that’s not the reason Kate Moss likes Erotokritos, nor is it the reason his name is on Kirsten Dunst and Cate Blanchett’s lips. And the locally-born fashion designer admits it still makes his head spin when his name is connected to theirs: “I couldn’t believe it when the sales person at a boutique in Brighton called me and told me that Cate Blanchett had been in and bought a dress of mine. I was over the moon.”
Erotokritos lives in Paris, where most of his work is produced by a solid team. “My day starts very early, at 7:30. I have a light breakfast and I head to the gym. Thank God I live in the centre, so I can walk everywhere and anywhere, something I enjoy very much.”
But it wasn’t always celebrity clients. “I studied Fine Art and Textile Design in San Francisco and then went on to fashion at Studio Bercot in Paris,”
Erotokritos explained, “I then worked for various Parisian fashion houses before launching my own label in 1994.” However, it took a while before he found success; 10 years since he first started out making his own garments. Erotokritos’ clothes are now sold in department stores including Harrods and Selfridges in the UK as well as others in Spain, America, Switzerland, Japan, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy and Greece.
“I can’t complain,” he said, “because even if it did take a lot of work, patience and failures, I have finally reached a point, I think, where I can safely say success has knocked on my door.” The fashion designer walks to his offices everyday where meetings take place concerning new collections and fresh ideas. “On an average day I meet with my press agent and organise accessories, which are part of the collections as well. I would say that mornings are my most productive time because that is when everything gets in order.”
One look at his clothes and it is easy to realise why they are so loved. The changing point in the 38-year-old’s career was when Kate Moss was spotted wearing one of his pieces. “I try to keep it simple yet stylish,” Erotokritos said, “my clothes are all about attitude, so anyone could wear them. From 16 to 60 year olds, whatever the age. However, my sizes do go up to a certain point. I don’t make clothes for fat women. Fashion just doesn’t go on fat women.” He isn’t particularly inspired by a specific era. “I find that I am most inspired by life, really,” explained Erotokritos, “by a mixture of a lot of things like music, films, something I might see on the street. But I am absolutely fascinated by new things mixed together with old.”
After his daily lunch at his favourite caf? Les Deux Apeilles near the Eiffel Tower, Erotokritos loves visiting exhibitions, which are also a source of inspiration. “Usually these exhibitions are very near my studio in Paris, so whenever I can, I take time out to go and see exhibitions by Yvonne Lambert and Taddheus Robac.” He also spends a lot of time at the Musee De La Mode et ou Textile at the Louvre and the Musee Galleria, where many famous designers have exhibited in the past.
He is massive in London and Paris and locally from the Flexi boutique in Nicosia and despite the bright lights, he prefers Nicosia to Paris. “I try to come to Cyprus as often as I can, which usually adds up to about four months a year. I love the slow pace in Cyprus. It’s much more relaxed and you can go everywhere by car instead of walking or catching trains. The food is great, the weather is perfect plus it is my motherland. Don’t get me wrong, I love Paris but it’s just different.”
Which contrasts to his hectic schedule in Paris, which is not so full of glamourous parties as you might imagine. “I wish it was. I wish I could go out more but I really don’t have the time.” Since making it big in Paris, where he has two stores, his life has been all about running around. “I travel a lot, so I’m never really in one place and even though I live in Paris, in one of the very old areas, my life is all about my studio and working with my collaborators.” But with work finished by 8pm, Erotokritos likes to chill at the cinema and have food and drinks with friends.
‘I don’t make clothes for fat women. Fashion just doesn’t go on fat women’
