BEHIND CITY COLLECTION
Oct 10, 2024 A Love Letter to Greece: Behind Aeráti Collection We spoke with our co-founder Evangeline to gain insight into her culture and family roots, which inspired our upcoming collection, Aeráti. "My family migrated to Australia from Greece just before I was born. I have one biological sister, lots of cousins who are like siblings, and Sami, our adopted sister, who is basically Greek now. We're lucky enough to spend time together in Greece every summer, and there is truly nothing better—everything just starts to make sense. We shot this collection in Naxos this summer. It’s probably definitely our favorite shoot ever. We met locals through out the day who invited us in and shared their stories. We drank frappés until it felt like an appropriate time to switch to wine, we ate fresh fish while swimming in the bluest waters in between takes. We called this collection 'Aeráti', which translates to 'air' or 'ethereal,' for us it is embodying the essence of wind, symbolizing movement and freedom. It captures the spirit of my heritage, where cultural influences flow, inspiring creativity and connection. This collection is a celebration of our roots, reminding us that while we honor tradition, we also embrace the dynamic beauty of our journey." SHOP THE COLLECTION WHERE IS YOUR FAMILY FROM: Thessaloniki FAVOURITE ISLAND: All the Cycladic Islands, I am a gatekeeper of nothing except for my favorite Island. But you can't go wrong with the Cyclades. FAVOURITE GREEK SONG: Ti Imouna Gia Sena - Remos but also Anna Vissi and everything she does because she is iconic. FAVOURITE MOMENT FROM THIS SHOOT IN NAXOS: The owner of our hotel trying to feed us excessive amounts of food at least 5 times a day and then getting genuinely upset when we declined. Felt like home. A GREEK TRADITION YOU MAY NOT KNOW: Everyone knows it but maybe not the meaning behind it - we smash plates during celebrations as a way to express joy and exuberance. It symbolizes the idea of letting go of negativity and inviting good fortune, it also signifies the abundance and the celebration of life. When I connect this to my family and how we all expresses ourselves, it feels profoundly fitting and extremely metaphoric. MUST TRY FOOD: Spanakopita and also Bougatsa with cinnamon and icing sugar. FAVOURITE GREEK SAYING: "Ο φίλος είναι η άλλη μας ψυχή" (O filos einai i alli mas psyche), which translates to "A friend is another soul." DESCRIBE A PERFECT DAY IN GREECE: Slow mornings with my family, drinking strong coffee and buying excessive amounts of sweet and savory pastries at the nearest fourno. We sit on the beach until 7 PM, eating stone fruits to tide us over until dinner, when we walk to a taverna still salty. There’s no menu for dinner; my dad just asks what they have fresh today. We drink a few carafes of homemade wine. We're arguing, we're speaking but it sounds like we're shouting, we’re all constantly laughing. I can see the comfort in my parents' eyes; they communicate the clearest and they can speak from their hearts because they are speaking their native tongue. There is a lightness about them—they're home. HOW DOES GREECE INSPIRE YOU: In so many ways. It is a tangible connection for me of my family's journey. My ancestors escaping war and my parents' determination to migrate to Australia for better opportunities for my sister and myself, it reflects a our legacy of strength and perseverance. Their stories of struggle fuel my gratitude for the life I have today and thats inspires me everyday. SAMI, AS AN HONORARY GREEK, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?: As an honorary Greek, it means so much more than just being part of a culture, it's about truly feeling embraced by it. For me, it's the connection I have with Evangeline and her family, who have partially adopted me into their world. They express love in such vibrant ways, through celebration, laughter, loud conversations, and so much emotion. It’s an undeniable feeling that makes me want to immerse myself even deeper every time I’m with them. Being part of their lives is something incredibly special. It’s not just observing their traditions; it’s being welcomed into them, sharing their joys, and feeling like I belong. With every visit and every moment surrounded by Evangeline’s family, I feel a stronger pull to dive deeper into the culture, to understand it more, and to let it shape my own experiences. That’s what being an honorary Greek means to me. Feeling like I’ve found a second home. COME JOIN US @WITHJEAN | #WITHJÉANGIRLS
