With clothes available only in London and for a short period here, one designer is set to open her workshop
I AM often surprised by the people I meet while on the job. On my way to meet a dynamic fashion designer who lives in Nicosia, I couldn’t even remember how I got there. She has been designing for more than five years and already has clothes in the most extravagant boutiques in London, Paris and Athens, with “ridiculous price tags” the designer herself says that even she couldn’t afford. But despite all this she remains down-to-earth. “I love what I do and want women to enjoy themselves among the clothes when I open the doors for my summer collection,” she said. Move over Donatella, Kyriaki Costa is in the house.
“I have always loved clothes and designing in general but I didn’t study fashion design,” explained Kyriaki, mother to a little girl, even though she looks 18, “I studied the art of painting and Byzantine Arts.” But through a project that she had to do involving materials and clothes, Kyriaki decided it was time to change direction. “Well, I didn’t exactly change profession because my work involves many aspects of designing and art apart from clothes,” Kyriaki explained, “I do videos and make many other things.” She admits to working a lot but she loves it and her love for clothes is what got her started in the first place.
I met Kyriaki at her workshop, which happens to be next to her house in Kaimakli, and admitted being surrounded by all her clothes was about as close toheaven as it gets for me. She was trying on some of her skirts when I walked in. “I never have time to try them on but I have to now because of the showing of my summer collection,” said Kyriaki. The moment you walk into her workshop the colour and imagination hit you and I’m almost certain there was nothing in black. “I love bold colours and because some people think that it’s difficult to match something, I help as much as I can as well,” Kyriaki explained, “but if there is a particular piece of clothing that needs a specific match and I don’t have it, I’ll tell my client.”
Although, the mixture of colours is one thing that makes Kyriaki stand out from the pack, there is another that is much more exceptional. Her clothes are practical and unique so giving clients the opportunity to experiment. “Most of the skirts I design can either be worn inside out or can change style completely,” she explained, “from short to long and visa versa.” As far as sizes are concerned, she has thought of that too. A lot of her clothes have elastic waistbands, so they are fit for most figures.
Most designers admit to being inspired by certain decades when designing their clothes but not Kyriaki. “I can’t really say that there is a specific era that inspires me nor am I a fan of one particular style,” she explained, “I could see something on TV or as I’m walking down the street or maybe something that’s in the street. All my clothes are about practicality and being easy to wear. Of course, some of them need women with a lot of self-esteem but over all, they are fun and easy-going.”
She also loves to play with different types of material. “I have many clients who love my clothes from 17-year-olds who shop with their mums to 60-year-olds,” Kyriaki said, “ and above all they love the fact that not one item is the same as the other. Everything is different and although there might be two skirts that look alike, they are never the same.”
Her skirts, tops and trousers can’t be found just anywhere and she doesn’t open her workshop to sell, so during the ten days when her clothes will be on display, women and girls better get ready. Imagine women abroad spend more than the designer herself on these clothes.
l Kyriaki Costa: Summer 05 collection available to view and buy from April 13 to 23. Tel: 99 471107. 58 Griva Digeni Street, Kaimakli, Nicosia (near St Barbaras church)
