From the Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion, in Athens , one the most amazing and unique places in the world , Mary Kantrantzou, presented her latest collection for summer 2020.

“I did a collection based on ideas that were birthed here in the 5th Century BC when the temple was built,” Kantrantzou said, “From trigonometry to physics to biology to geology to philosophy.” As she pointed out in her show notes, the very word “idea” was invented in Greece.

“If I know something it is that I know nothing,” rendered in Katrantzou’s mother language in oscillating tiers of silk fringing. “I wanted to give the words life,” she said. Her philosophy permeated the collection, each look entirely its own and intended to be sold as made-to-measure dresses. Katrantzou has the clientele for it. Her show was attended by the former Queen of Greece and some of her children, the former Crown Princess of Serbia, a Bahraini sheikha, and Kerry Kennedy.

They were part of a guest list of Katrantzou’s super rich regulars, who had bought tickets for the show in aid of the Elpida Association of Friends and Children with Cancer. The designer had teamed up with its founder Marianna Vardinoyannis, who was celebrating 30 years of the foundation, which cures 280 cases of child cancer in Greece every year. For the finale, some of those children walked the runway with Katrantzou to an epic soundtrack composed for the show by her countryman Vangelis. The kids stood side by side with models dressed in testaments to the influence of Ancient Greek culture.

Mary Katrantzou Spring/Summer 2020, Ready to Wear

On Thursday evening, the London-based Katrantzou returned to her homeland of Greece for one season only to stage the most floor-length and couture-level show of her career.

Mary Katrantzou with Marianna Vardinoyannis, the founder of “ELPIDA” who was celebrating 30 years of the foundation, which cures 280 cases of child cancer in Greece every year.

Mary Katrantzou with among her models and the great survivors, the children of “ELPIDA”.

From Athens,

Georgia Papadon & team