The platform that promotes talented Greek designers and artisans is about to open an e-boutique, and founder Helen Tirekidis says it will showcase the latest in Greek fashion and design.

“Greece was always known for its design,” Tirekidis told Neos Kosmos last year at the launch of the Greek Style Council.

For Tirekidis, the initiative was born out of the Greek crisis. But while noting the economic downturn, she also witnessed the prolific output from Greek designers.

In 2016 she travelled to her parents’ home of Kastoria, meeting with upcoming and established local designers, hearing their stories and seeing their collections, widening the scope for inclusion into her designer promoting vision.

The Greek Australian saw design as a way to express the optimism of the Greek people during troubling times. The persistence of the Greek spirit was something that the fashion mogul wanted to portray outside of Greece and the Greek community.

The online boutique will feature designers who are at the top of their game. Online audiences will be introduced to Salty Bags, the Corfu brand repurposing decommissioned sails for nautical style totes and duffels.

Punters will also be introduced to Valia Gabriel, the woman behind handmade Greek-style leather sandals, antique style jewellery with a twist from Lito Karakostanoglou, and classic swimwear from Sophie Deloudi.

Salty Bag from Corfu. Photo: Greek Style Council

In many ways more than just a shopping experience, Greek Style Council is a message from Greece to you. Tirekidis says “I want Australians – whether it be retailers, press or customers – to be made aware of what Greece is doing well”.

The Greek Style Council e-boutique is set to launch on Wednesday 1 November.