Mirka Drapaniotou: Shaping emotions into clay

You might already know her as the artisan behind the clay pieces of our Homeware collections. Mirka Drapaniotou, an Athenian ceramist, showcases her work both in Greece and internationally. With a background in fashion design and costume studies, she found her medium in clay, valuing its malleability and capacity to express movement and emotion. Mirka is constantly driven to push the limits of this material. Her art, which explores primal origins and natural geometry, disrupts conventional symmetry through thin clay sheets and perforations, resulting in captivating, unique forms. According to her, ceramic art, evolving from utilitarian storage to a significant form of contemporary expression, harnesses the four elements—earth, water, air, fire—to create life in each piece.

A woman who inspires me… “is Georgia O'Keeffe. She embodies strength and resilience, both in her art and her life. Despite her declining vision, her unwavering creativity demonstrated her immense passion and dedication to art. Her enduring legacy continues to inspire artists across the globe.”

My message to women… “on their journey through life is this: Discover your uniqueness and worth. Embrace self-respect and seek out a community that uplifts and empowers you.

Alexandra Bissa: Using her loom as the tool of her artistic expression.

Initially drawn to interior design, Alexandra's childhood experiences in Metsovo, under her grandmother's tutelage at the loom, eventually called her back to her roots. This led her to pursue an MA in Textile Design in London, focusing on loom work—a decision that set her on a collision course with her destiny at Zeus+Δione. Her breakthrough with the brand occurred in 2015 when she presented her vision and samples to Yiannis Kolotouras, who immediately recognized her dedication and offered his support. This was a period when weaving had lost its sheen in Greece, and her venture into reviving this craft was both exciting and daunting. The partnership began with a borrowed loom and some sample creations, marking the start of a symbiotic relationship that saw her designs being incorporated into Z+Δ's collections. Alexandra values the trust and freedom in her work with Z+Δ, praising their dedication to handmade creations. "This environment of mutual respect and creativity has enabled me to fully delve into my craft," she says.

A woman who inspires me… “is often the woman next door. She juggles being the perfect daughter, wife, professional, partner, and mother—all at once, without pause, and with relentless dedication. By chance, on a walk with my dog yesterday, I encountered a lady whose daughter is a Paralympian, with herself serving as her daughter's assistant at competitions. This meeting held symbolic significance for me, reflecting the essence of my admiration. I hold in high esteem those mothers who, despite the profound loss of their children, continue to honour their memories and fight for their legacies, such as Magda Fyssa and Maria Karystianou.”

My message to women… “is that, by nature, every woman embodies the potential for motherhood. Whether or not we bear our own children, we stand as the mothers of all the children in the world. This is our strength: a profound force of love, care, affection, forgiveness, and solidarity. Let this inner strength guide us and remind us of the incredible achievements we can realise with these qualities.”

Virginia Matseli: Revolutionizing Life

The Benaki Museum / Mentis – Antonopoulos ('NEMA') Passementerie, synonymous with high-quality craftsmanship, and renowned for its partnership with Zeus+Δione in crafting galloons, ornamental cords, and tassels, has been revitalised by Virginia Matseli. A retired ethnologist and former Head of the Directorate of Contemporary Culture at the Ministry of Culture and Sports, Virginia has linked Greece's heritage with the modern era through this initiative. Starting in 2011, during a challenging economic period, she embarked on a mission to document the ancient crafts that once thrived in Athens' historic centre. Among these was the silk manufacturing workshop of Mentis, which had succumbed to the economic crisis. Determined to preserve its legacy, Virginia secured support from key partners, including sponsorship from a close friend and a strategic alliance with the Benaki Museum. Her goal was to transform the workshop into a living museum that celebrates historic artisanship while serving as fertile ground for future generations. Thanks to her efforts, today, ‘NEMA’ Passementerie is a vibrant centre for creativity, offering workshops, educational programmes, and exhibitions that highlight Greek silk artistry.

In the coming days, Mrs. Matseli launches a weaving program for incarcerated women at the Thebes women’s prison. This initiative will teach them valuable skills, offer purpose, and connect them to the community. Their work will be sold at the Benaki Museum shop, aiding their reintegration, and supporting their families.

A woman who inspires me… “is Ioanna Papantoniou, the esteemed Greek set and costume designer, founder, and former president of the Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation. Her commitment to historical preservation has deeply influenced my own journey towards effecting change. Back in the years, defying my parents' expectations of marriage and domesticity, I secretly got a passport and studied in France. My return to Greece and attendance at one of Papantoniou's lectures in Nafplio solidified my admiration for her and her work. As the daughter of Asia Minor refugees, I was driven to contribute meaningfully. In 1982, with just a vision, I founded a small museum in Nea Kios, inaugurated by Silva Akrita. Recognising my dedication, Papantoniou later invited me to join the Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation's board as a secretary, a position that eventually led me to become its vice president after her resignation.”

My message to women… “is that beginning with a vision and the belief in your ability to achieve it will ultimately lead to success. I undertook the challenge of saving ‘NEMA’ with nothing but a vision, passion, and the determination to save it by any means necessary.”