Athens City Guide: the new rules for the art of living
Saturday 7 September —
15:00
- 15:45
The Talks — Hall 7
Description
In just a few years, Athens has become a European creative capital in its own right. Whether it’s in design, architecture, or fashion, the Greek metropolis innovates, without losing sight of its historic roots. Join us for a conversation with Marios Schwab, Creative Director of the Zeus+Dione fashion brand, Nicolas Bellevance-Lecompte, a gallery owner, creative director, and curator working on multi-layered deisgn projects, and architectural firm K Studio, to help us take the pulse of this revolution in progress. Today, Athens fascinates and inspires so many, from Paris to New York.
Participants
Nicolas Bellavance-LecompteDesign curator and Art director
Marianna StavridouCreative Director, K-Studio
Marios SchwabCreative Director, Zeus+Dione
Clara Le FortJournalist
Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte
Design curator and Art director
Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte, a Canadian-Italian design curator and art director, is a key figure in contemporary collectible design. With a background in architecture, he has curated over 65 exhibitions globally. As co-founder of NOMAD, he connects galleries and collectors, partnering with brands like Gucci, Dior, and BMW. He also founded Carwan Gallery, the first contemporary design gallery in the Near East, between Athens and Beirut. From 2018-2021, he directed the Fonderia Artistica Battaglia Design Department in Milan. Nicolas is currently curating "Interlude Rwanda" and "Carthagisme," fostering cross-cultural design dialogues.
Marianna Stavridou
Creative Director, K-Studio
Marianna Stavridou is a Creative Director at K-Studio. She received her Master in Architecture from National Technical University of Athens with Distinguished Merit and since then she has collaborated with several architecture firms in Athens. She has also completed several projects as a freelance architect and interior designer. She joined K-Studio as a Project Architect in 2015 and has completed several projects with significant success, leading to her appointment in 2018 as a Creative Director. She is currently leading teams in projects of various scales with main focus on architectural and interior design projects.
Marios Schwab
Creative Director, Zeus+Dione
Marios Schwab collections are synonymous with sophisticated and innovative design. His work combines his studies of classical tailoring and technical construction with an appreciation of elegant beauty and his understanding of the feminine form. The Greco-Austrian designer began his studies at prestigious schools in Europe, before completing his MA in Womenswear at London’s Central Saint Martins in 2002. After debuting at London Fashion Week in 2006, he won ‘New Designer of the Year’ at the British Fashion Awards followed by the Swiss Textile Award in 2007. Delivering a design aesthetic that embraces cutting-edge technological advancement while remaining steeped in respect for traditional craftsmanship, his directional take on eveningwear, timeless ready-to-wear, and expertly detailed lingerie and swimwear has allowed Schwab to communicate his diverse design personality throughout the varied appointments and collaborations of his career. His evolution has included positions as Creative Director of iconic American label Halston in what Vogue described as a “match made in heaven”, Head Designer at the French luxury fashion house Maison Martin Margiela and design partnerships in jewellery, eyewear, shoes and lingerie as well as launching the swimwear and contemporary resort wear label ‘On the Island’ in 2016. Most recently, in 2020 Schwab was announced as the Creative Director of the Greek fashion brand Zeus + Δione. Drawing inspiration from their shared Greek heritage he is creating luxury modern collections with a focus on artisanal techniques and craftsmanship.
Clara Le Fort
Journalist
A writer for French and international publications (Les Echos WE, Le Point, ELLE, ELLE DECO, Bllnr), Clara Le Fort deals with subjects related to luxury, innovation and sustainable development. She also works with brands on strategic matters, as a design director. In addition, she has authored five books, published by Gestalten, and has written the Louis Vuitton City Guide for Sydney, Istanbul, Copenhagen and Arles.