GREEK DESIGNERS
Inspired and made in Greece
VOLOS
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Volos based jewellery designer Kostas Papalexandratos is a passionate creator, designing mouthwatering collections with references mainly to Greek History, Mythology and culture in general.
Stilvi in Greek Mythology was the daughter of the river god Peneos and the nymph Kreoussa, Mother of Lapithis (founding Father of the Lapithos, the ancient people of Thessaly) and Centaurus (Mythical creature living in Thessaly, half a man, half horse).
In another definition στίλβη η {stílvi} is the continuous change in intensity and color, observed in the sparkle of a star.
Whichever definition you prefer the objective fact remains the same. The eponymous jewelry collection by Kostas Papalexandratos has declare something really different.
“From my perspective, beauty does not lie in perfection but in uniqueness”.
“Behind “STILVI” Brand name”, says the creator,” lies my personal approach to contemporary jewellery, with reference mainly to Symbolisms and Depictions inspired by Greek History and Mythology, such as the Olive Tree, and the symbols of Spiral and Meandros. The materials I use are Sterling Silver, 14K and 18K Gold and mineral stones and the design and making of each and every model is, entirely, made by hand.
My intention is to make and present jewels with spirit and identity, rather than perfect but lifeless and impersonal items, designed in a computer program and “built” in a 3D printer. From my perspective, beauty does not lie in perfection but in uniqueness.
On the contrary, to ensure quality in manufacture I follow a combination of traditional and modern methods, techniques and equipment so that the final product is of the best possible quality-price relation”.
THE DESIGN AND MAKING OF EACH AND EVERY MODEL IS, ENTIRELY, MADE BY HAND. MY INTENTION IS TO MAKE AND PRESENT JEWELS WITH SPIRIT AND IDENTITY, RATHER THAN "BUILT" IN A 3D PRINTER, AS BEAUTY DOES NOT LIE IN PERFECTION BUT IN UNIQUENESS
KOSTAS PAPALEXANDRATOS
The creator behind the label / Kostas Papalexandratos was born in Germany in 1973 and lived in Athens until 2005. His professional engagement to jewelry making started in 1995. He worked in a goldsmith’s workshop for 10 years where he acquired valuable experience in techniques as well as the art of jewellery making.
In 2005 he decided to live in the town of Volos. There he set up his own workshop under the name of Stilvi and make handcrafted jewels from Silver, Gold, and Mineral Stones. His aim is to evolve as a craftsman and artist and to present pieces of jewellery which carry his personal style relieved from the short- lived fashion trends.
Every January his work is presented at the “CONTEMPORARY CREATIONS” and “ATHENS INTERNATIONAL JEWELLERY SHOW” exhibitions witch take place in Athens.
His collection is available at selected stores in Greece and Worldwide
It’s all about the inspiration / In search of the special that does not become glaring, the concept of the precious escapes from its material existence and acquires a personal point of view. And then the anxious creator releases his imagination and seeks inspiration wherever it comes from.
OLIVE TREE / Symbol of Peace, Wisdom, Fertility, Prosperity, Luck, Victory
The Olive Tree, present in Mythological Literature as well as the traditional celebrations of Greece, is a timeless symbol of honor, conferred to victors of the ancient Greek Olympics and famously associated with goddess Athena and her designation as the patron-state deity of Athens.
In Greek mythology, Athena competed with Poseidon for possession of Athens. Poseidon claimed possession by thrusting his trident into the Acropolis, where a well of sea-water gushed out. Athena took possession by planting the first olive tree beside the well. The court of gods and goddesses ruled that Athena had the better right to the land because she had given it the better gift. Olive wreaths were worn by brides and awarded to Olympic victors.
According to mythology, Heracles planted an olive tree in the temple of Hera in ancient Olympia, after completing its twelve labors. It was known as “THE OLIVE KALLISTEPHANOS”, from which the wreath was made, the greatest distinction for each athlete.
MEANDROS / A decorative Architectural border constructed from a continuous line, shaped into a repeated motif. It is also called the Greek key. The name comes from Meandros River, a river of too many twists and turns, along its 548 km, long way to the sea. My personal interpretation to the symbol, is the “Journey” itself, rather than the final Destination, just like “Ithaca” the famous poem of Constantinos Cavafy.
SPIRAL / Symbol of Life, Consciousness, Evolution. Spiral shape and movement is seen everywhere in Nature, from prehistoric ammonites to the shape of Galaxies.
STONES / I have chosen to work on high quality mineral stones, mainly in rough and irregular shape, which provides a sense of uniqueness in every piece of jewellery. Favorite stones are the sky blue Topaz, the olive green Peridot, the twilight purple Amethyst and others.
NATURE / Nature has always been an inspiration in the Art of Jewellery. Respectfully, I am trying to convey it, avoiding the easy way of merely imprinting it.
IMAGES / Favorite songs, books, places in a “naive” perhaps translation on my personal field.
BASIC / I experiment with geometric forms, in a more liberated performance, “playing” with the contrast of the colors.
Best quality- price relation / A combination of traditional techniques and modern methods, assure that the final product is of the best possible quality-price relation.
Purchasing a STILVI piece of jewellery, and not a simple imitation, a year quality guarantee is provided, which covers your jewellery for any damage at proper use.
VOLOS
You can find Stilvi collections at selected stores in Greece and Worldwide
Stilvi Jewellery , Kostas Papalexandratos
4, Sotiri Amvrazi Str., Agria, Volos
Tel.: +30 2428 092 795
