Colorful coffee with THEIA

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After receiving only positive comments at AXDW for her catwalk show (see our previous article here), we decided that it was time to meet THEIA and talk about all the things that interest her! So, last Saturday Theodora Provopoulou welcomed us at her colorful atelier with coffee and chocolate treats!  She had just finished  her sewing lessons and relaxed, she found the time for a little chat!

THEIA exists from 2004, and despite the fact that people tend to believe that THEIA is only Theodora, she insisted on pointing that THEIA is a group of designers, that also consists of Aliki Demi and Melpo Stefopoupou for the time being.

Theodora, how did you start making clothes?

I have to say that I have studied something completely different. Economics and Philosophy. After I finished my studies and I returned to Greece, I worked in a business that economics where needed and then I discovered that I wanted to do something more creative! From that moment, I started searching for schools so as to get the first basic education concerning clothes.

I found it very difficult to find such a school because most of them offer a degree and that was something that I wasn’t interested in. At the end, I managed to find a school where I could do some courses but not the complete undergraduate program. After I completed my courses, I saw that I was really interesting in making clothes and after that I went to a college abroad to continue my studies.

And how did the sewing courses come up?

I was always wondering why there didn’t exist a place in Athens, where people could learn five basic things about sewing and construction, with a more modern way of learning. So I always had it in mind to start these courses. The best thing is that there is no degree, so the program is very open and focused on each student. Everyone starts with the same basic instructions but later on each can focus on what interests him more.

(The sewing courses are held every Saturday between 11.00 and 14.00 o’clock and will continue till Easter.)

The collection that you presented at Athens Xclusive Designers Week was the first complete collection that you made. How did you manage to complete the idea and why this was the right time to present your work in a fashion show?

It was all a matter of time. As I have stressed, I’m trying to make THEIA be a group o people and for that to be achieved, time is valuable for the results to come out. Furthermore, I’m a perfectionist and I didn’t want to present something that would not be really good. Also i didn’t want to just hire 3 people, order 12 dresses to be made and then present them as mine. I didn’t think that it would be professional.

Will you be also at the next Fashion Week?

Yes, I will be presenting my work also at the next Fashion Week but I’m not sure about the concept of the presentations from now on. I’m intending in changing concept and the next catwalk show won’t be a kitty-catty one for sure! The retro-romantic style is something that represents my character but I don’t want to make shows where the models will only walk in the catwalk just showing the clothes.

I’m interested in making things that will interest the crowd that will come just for the 20 minutes of the show. Also, I would be interested in doing a presentation in other places, such as theatres or central squares! I want to experience all these things because after all the amount of money that is need is for a presentation is quite high so you have to benefit as much as you can!

Would you like to make clothes for the theatre or cinema?

The last 3 years, we have worked a lot in making clothes after the demand of the customer. That means, that anyone can come with some sketches or an idea and after I try to design some clothes, I can create clothes based on his character.

We also make clothes for commercial spots. So, as you can imagine, theatre is something that really interests me and we have already started doing some works! As for cinema, we have given 2 corsets at Katia Zigouli for her latest movie!

How did the corset-frenzy start?

Corset is a fetish item. While in Spain, someone brought 2 corsets from France. It was the first time I ever so from that close distance a corset and I fell in love with it immediately.

We create corsets from the Victorian period but in a more modern way. We use more modern tecnics and the design is more up to day. Corset is known to be something very extravagant! But it’s not only that. It can be worn even daily, with a shirt and a simple pair of trousers!

You can find THEIA after appointment at:

Ippokratous 66, Athens, 106 80

tel. +30 210 3600 449

mail: info@theialab.com

webpage: www.theialab.com