A collection of 40 original Greek traditional costumes full of pleats, geometric patterns and intricate embroidery will be exhibited in London. This marks the first time that such a collection has crossed the borders of Greece.
The Hellenic Center of London will be hosting the exhibition called “Patterns of Magnificence: Tradition and Reinvention in Greek Women’s Costume.” The collection consists of everyday Greek clothes, as well as formal-wear from the 18th century until the beginning of the 20th century.
The exhibition is organized by Ioanna Papantoniou and it includes a richly embroidered traditional outfit from Astypalea, an island of the Dodecanese in Greece as well as traditional costumes from Stefanovikio in Magnesia and Ioannina.
The exhibits come from the Greek Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation and the Benaki Museum. The exhibition also features a dress worn in court by the first queen in independent Greece, Amalia Oldenburg. Visitors will also have the chance to see another dress worn by Queen Olga, dating back to the late 19th century. Queen Olga had origins in Russian and was the wife of King George I.
Furthermore, there will be a small collection of scarves available for sale. All the scarves are inspired by the exhibition and are created by Greek designer Athena Procopiou. In addition, there will be talks and panel discussions concerning Greek fashion. The exhibition is now open for the public and will end on March 2, 2014.
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