MagnaDi is a new Greek cultural brand which brings Greek heritage into life in a stylish content. A collection of high quality silken accessories hand drawn and then digitally printed on some of the finest Greek silk. With colorful, original, contemporary designs that will beguile you into a mythical world full of color, will travel you to the blue of Aegean Sea and its islands bringing you the warmth of summer.

Here, we go behind the brand to find out more…

When did you launch the brand and what was the reason behind it?
The brand was officially launched beginning of January of 2016. It was the previous summer that I have finished my studies and my working experience in an interior company in London, and I had decided to go back home. I felt the need to go back and have a summer break while helping my mother in the family business at my hometown till I figure out what I wanted to do next. In a way, I think it was the combination of people and events in my life that all helped in cultivating this idea in my mind for creating something authentic and something that I will be passionate about. Definitely, the fact that my mother is herself an artist and I was grown up watching her drawing in all my life had a great impact on me. And then, the place that I was born and raised, the seaside historical small town of Nafplio, in Greece with the sea element and history all around it, inspired me to create something that will be true to my heritage and the missing feeling of the Greek summer I had while I was abroad.

Whats your background?
I have a diverse background with studies in business and design. I did my bachelor studies in business and economics in Greece, I studied design in LCC at the University of the Arts in London, and I have also a Master degree in Marketing and Management. Now, I can say with confidence (to my parents mostly☺) that all these years of studying came in handy.

How many ppl are involved..?
At the moment the company is me, I am the one who takes the decisions and the one who has to make it happen. I started with a very low budget, and though the brand has started to building up, I cannot afford to have some extra hands and minds with me yet. I draw the designs on the software and then the digital files are sent to the manufacturer who does the production of silk and has the needed equipment for the digital printing on fabric. The scarves are hundred present silk made in Greece.

2018 is almost here, where do you plan on taking the brand?
This question follows up perfectly the previous one, because these almost two years that I am trying to build my brand, I had the luck to have wise people and friends around me, that each one with their advice on the field of expertise have helped me to improve and follow the right steps. All the positivity that I had from these people helped me to continue chasing my dream and built step by step the right connections for the right collaborations for me and my brand. There are still lots that need to be done, but I hope 2018 be the year that I will be able to bring these ‘positive influencers’ officially on board with me and have our creative energies combined to make more beautiful things together.

What is the hardest challenge you faced since the company started?
The hardest challenge I faced it was actually when I took the decision that I really wanted to do it. It was the summer that I moved back home, almost two years ago, same summer that the country was closer to a possible default. It was straight after the Greek referendum followed by two months of destress and chaos where economically everything had paused and nobody was sure what will happen next. The manufacturer of the silk production, one of the two remaining open in Greece couldn’t say if he will be able to operate not only long-term but short-term mostly, so in a scenario of a close down definitely I wouldn’t have made my dream happen. The whole idea behind the brand was to offer a product hundred percent greek to value its heritage and tradition. With lots of backwards to overpass and very skeptical at first, we managed to get through and on January of 2016 I was able to introduce my brand on the Greek market.

Which city do you feel most at home……?
After spending almost five years of my life in London, it definitely feels like home to me. Ok, maybe second best! Paris je t’aime, New York I love you but when it comes to home my hometown Nafplio will be always first to my heart.

Style means?
To express yourself!

Statement shoe or statement bag?
Statement scarf!!

Most memorable piece of advice…?
A very wise man once said to me, the tray with the opportunities in life will pass in front to you only once, and maybe if you miss it you will have the luck for a second chance. So you need to beware of and be ready to seize it when it comes to you whatever it takes.

Find out more…
You can visit us online on www.magnadi.com or follow us on facebook/ magnadi and on Instagram/ magnady_by_m to ckeck on our beautiful stories, pics and tips!!

Author

Northern girl Laura is the epitome of a true entrepreneur. Laura’s spirit for adventure and passion for people blaze through House of Coco. She founded House of Coco in 2014 and has grown it in to an internationally recognised brand whilst having a lot of fun along the way. Travel is in her DNA and she is a true visionary and a global citizen.

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