Two of the three costumes unveiled by the Hellenic Olympic Committee show how internationally acclaimed designer Mary Katrantzo drew inspiration from ancient Greek columns. [InTime News]
What adjective would describe any new creative interpretation of ancient Greek culture? Should it be “simple yet elegant”, “abstract”, or “figurative”? Is it “fresh”? Can it be “modern”?
And what are the appropriate adjectives for an aesthetic proposal based on a completely different creative approach?
As always, with the unveiling of new costumes designed by internationally acclaimed Greek designer Mary Katrantzou for the Olympic Torch Lighting and Handover Ceremony ahead of the Paris Games. The debate is heated, mainly on social media. The announcement was made at the Greek Olympic Committee's Athens headquarters on March 12 and sparked a wave of mostly negative comments on the web.
From the photos of the costumes, it is clear that Katrantzou, like her predecessors who designed for the same project, drew inspiration from the world of ancient Greece. But going a step further than previous collections for the Olympic torch-lighting ceremony, she tapped into ancient architectural and decorative motifs. It is, after all, an approach deeply rooted in her creative process, and anyone who has followed the trajectory of her work and career on the global fashion stage knows that this Greek designer has a very strong and special I know that I have developed a method of expression.
A child of the digital age and technology, she designs instantly recognizable and visually impactful collections that are the exact opposite of her patented minimalism.
It was clear that Katrantzo was going to break the rules ever since she presented her first collection in London in 2009 (a small collection of colorful dresses with digital prints of oversized jewelery motifs), but soon She earned the nickname “Queen of the World”. It is not only a recognition of her talent, but also a recognition of her new era. Katrantzou also designed costumes for the New York City Ballet and dance pieces such as Russell Maliphant's “The Thread,'' for which Vangelis set the score.
She also draws on Greek culture in other collections, including motifs inspired by the graceful Minoan women depicted in the frescoes of Crete and motifs taken from the drachma. One of the main features of each time is the trompe l'oeil technique.
It is also worth noting that the Paris Olympics will have a second creative Greek banknote, with one side of the medal designed by Elena Vozzi. The Greek jewelery maker designed her medal for the 2004 Athens Games, and since then, one side has continued to feature a statue of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, with the Parthenon and Panathenaic her stadium in the background. .
A designer's work is judged on the spot, and while Katrantzou's costume presentation in Athens last week was disappointing, it's probably best to hold off on criticizing it until you see it in person at Ancient Olympia.
