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‘Branding Heritage’ Remembers Greek Designer Sophia Kokosalaki

The event’s coordinator Olga Stavropoulou; BH Founder Katerina Frentziou, and journalists Sarah Mauer and Harriet Quick.

As part of its ongoing effort to promote the work of Greek designers, artists and entrepreneurs, Branding Heritage (BH) paid tribute to the late Greek designer Sophia Kokosalaki with the “Contemporary Minoans” event earlier this month at the Museum of London.

Organized on the initiative of Branding Heritage on the sidelines of the WTM London  2019 with the support of the Crete Region and the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) UK & Ireland, the event titled “Contemporary Minoans: Cretan Culture, Source of Inspiration” featured prominent European academics, artists and designers who explored the ways Minoan culture continues to this day to inspire creativity worldwide.

BH Founder Katerina Frentzou; GNTO Secretary General Dimitris Frangakis and President Angela Gerekou; and Region of Crete Commissioner for Tourism Kyriakos Kotsoglou.

Speakers from Vogue, Conde Nast International, the Picasso Administration, and the universities of Bristol, Ca’ Foscari Venice, and Birmingham paid tribute to Kokosalaki, who passed away last month at the age of 46.

The event was also addressed by GNTO President Angela Gerekou and Secretary General Dimitris Fragakis, Region of Crete Commissioner for Tourism Kyriakos Kotsoglou and journalist, BH Founder Katerina Frentzou.

Of Cretan origin, Kokosalaki designed outfits for some 6,000 people for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, including Icelandic performer Björk.

In a message from New York, Claude Picasso referred to his father’s – Pablo Picasso – creative inspiration from the Minotaur, as well as his own experience of Crete.

“The archaeological sites of astonishing beauty; the heart-warming hospitality of kind and spirited Cretans; the ubiquitous ancient culture; they are all forever kept in my memories of Crete,” he said.

The event featured select creations by Kokosalaki, including a silver necklace inspired by models of thin-bladed votive swords from Arkalochori Cave (1700-1450 BC – on show at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum) that she created last year for the BH Minoan Collection.

Other artworks on show included garments, jewelry, paintings, and mosaics – also part of the BH Minoan Collection – by Alekos Fassianos, Lilah Clarke, Loukia Orfanou and Tereza Valavani, and fashion designers Mary Katrantzou, Marios Schwab, and Faye Chatzi, among others.

The event was accompanied by a unique exhibition of inspirational creations (clothing, jewellery, artwork) by Greek and foreign artists.

Founded by Katerina Frentzou, Branding Heritage focuses on ways ancient Greek culture continues to inspire contemporary art and artists.

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