For Evi Lazou the fight against marine pollution is not just about the environmental protection and human health, it’s also a fight for aesthetics and the protection of our heritage. As Chairman of the A.C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation, an Athens-based, non-profit organization that primarily focuses on protecting the sea in and around Greece, Evi knows firsthand both the challenges and the rewards that marine clean-up activities entail.

New York-based painter Alexandra Mirzayantz has a way of evocatively capturing the viewer’s attention with just a few ink lines and brush strokes. From dreamy portraits that seem to visualize the sitter’s state of mind, to Duchamp-esque self-portraits with fruits standing in for the artist and her family, her work draws from the subconscious as much as from the world around her.  The figurative compositions marry reality and dreams though deceptively stark yet vibrantly coloured still lifes.

For American-born, London-based jewellery designer Diane Kordas,  jewellery should communicate emotions above all else. Inspired by a wide range of sources from Ancient Greek and Roman mythology, art, architecture and her extensive travels, Diane’s creations are simple yet opulent, classic yet surprising and always underpinned by a cool-girl aesthetic. A fashion graduate of New York’s Parsons School of Design, Diane was drawn to jewellery design and founded her eponymous brand in 2010.

For Marie-Louise Scio, luxury hospitality is about soul and personality, not star rating. As CEO and creative director of Pellicano Group, which includes the legendary Il Pellicano hotel, a magnificent Tuscan retreat that her family has owned and operated since 1979, Marie-Louise has been refining the concept of la dolce vita by meticulously curating and orchestrating every aspect of the guest experience.

For New York-born, London-based stylist to the stars Elizabeth Saltzman, success means making her clients feel confident and relaxed on the red carpet rather than getting on a best-dressed list, although they regularly do. Elizabeth’s sharp fashion sense, laser eye for detail and congenial attitude have won over celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Saoirse Ronan, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer and Uma Thurman, who rely on her not only to look but also to feel their best.

For jewellery designer Eugenie Niarchos, what makes a piece of jewellery precious is the story it tells as much as the materials and craftsmanship it represents. After starting her career in fashion, Eugenie was drawn to jewellery, interning at Christie's and collaborating with Repossi and Azzaro before founding her own brand, Venyx – a playful portmanteau of planet Venus and precious gemstone Onyx.

For acclaimed chef Ari Vezené, cooking is both about finding one’s self and branching out: his practice is equally informed by the traditional cuisine of his native Ionian islands and a culinary diversity inspired by his extensive travels around the world. Born in New York City to Greek parents, Ari is a self-taught chef, butcher and restaurateur who turned to gastronomy after a degree in Finance and Marketing.

London-based fashion editor, stylist and designer Kim Hersov loves merging different cultures and interests, a sensibility fuelled by her passion for flea markets, art galleries and antique fairs, and reflected in Talitha, a bohemian lifestyle brand she co-founded in 2013. Conceived as the ultimate travel wardrobe, Talitha was inspired by the rich cultural heritage of India’s arts and crafts, and although Kim has since moved on, the brand is informed by her funky yet timeless aesthetic and interest in traditional craftsmanship.

For acclaimed Greek chef, restauranteur, TV host, and best-selling cookbook author Argiro Barbarigou, the finest dining experience is a home cooked meal. For the past two decades she has been sharing her passion for authentic Greek cuisine through her soulful recipes as well as her celebrated Athenian restaurant Papadakis. Since most of us won’t be travelling this summer, we asked Argiro for an easy recipe to bring the flavours and aromas of the Greek summer to our home.

For Town & Country Editor-in-Chief Stellene Volandes, modern luxury is all about feeling special, for some it could be an exotic trip, for others a precious piece of jewelry. What is also special is the way she has kept the 174-year-old magazine at the forefront of the current zeitgeist by approaching high society with discernment and intelligence.