Collection SS2015: Ciels Byzantins (reissue)

This is a reissue from 1997's Ciels Byzantins ("Byzantin Skyes").  No longer on jacquard silk, the new colours are wonderful !

Europe’s first Christian hermits took refuge in northern Greece, at the foot of Mount Athos. The Cenobites followed soon after, and in 963 CE, Saint Athanasius of Alexandria founded the monastery of Great Lavra. Numerous other monasteries followed, and the ‘Holy Mountain’ became the spiritual centre of Orthodox Christianity. 

On the Aegean island of Patmos, Saint John the Evangelist wrote his book of Revelations (the Apocalypse), in the 1st century CE. 

And later, in the Egyptian desert, the fortified monastery of St Catherine was built at the foot of Mount Sinaï. 

These three high places of Orthodox Christianity are home to rich collections of priceless illuminated manuscripts. Inspired by the decorations preceding the texts of the early Christian Gospels, this carré offers an anthology of exquisitely refined motifs.

Collection SS2015: Brins d'Or

Embroidered with gold or woollen thread, decorated with stylized animal and flower motifs, geometric patterns or arabesques, these four aprons pay tribute to the people of the shores of the Aegean sea. At the centre of the design, an amulet set in a square of belt buckles affords protection against evil spirits.  The economic expansion of Greece in the 18th century, and sea-faring trade with the other Mediterranean countries, brought a new prosperity reflected in the lavish ornamentation of traditional costumes.  Bold, often geometric designs characterize the motifs on these aprons from Thessalia, Argos and Arachova.

Worn over dresses or skirts, their varied decorative motifs are steeped in symbolism, reflecting different times of day, and the succeeding ages of life: age, social status, the changing seasons and their festivities, captured in costume.