1. When was the moment that you realized that you would start designing jewelry?

Designing jewelry was something that I have been doing since my early years due to the family business that my parents Nikos and Eva Makriyianni started in 1988. The moment I decided to be officially part of the family business and join forces so that it would become known abroad coincides with the moment I decided to design my own jewelry. This happened when I got my degree on Theatrical studies and preferred not to have a career on the theater but to put all my effort and ideas in our small family business.

2. What material do you like to work with? E.g. Silver? Wool? Reasons?

When I design I have no limits on the things that I’m going to use in order to create my collection. Nevertheless the material I definitely love and I want to use on my jewelry is gold or the color of gold in any form that it can be found. Gold in my opinion is such a warm color combined with vivid colors that I also love to use, and it has the characteristic ability to warmly embrace the beauty of a woman and bring it out.

3. Do you think that your place of birth has inspired you?

I’m so lucky to admit that I come from the two most beautiful places of Greece, Chania in Crete and Pilio!! I’m sure that those places inspired me in so many ways. They help me observe the nature and learn about the colors and their combinations. A rule I follow is that whatever comes from nature is beautiful, that is why I use color combinations that can be found on flowers and vegetables! These places also help me to love the simple way of living therefore I have the inner peace to create, design and enjoy my life.

4. To what type of women do you believe your jewelry matches more?

I never think of that! I believe and I hope that my jewelry can adjust and embrace the style of various types of women, as long as they want to play with my jewelry and create their unique style.

5. How did your collaboration with Net-a-porter materialize?

That was due to a happy coincidence! By the time I was trying to spread my wings and find a way to present my jewelry overseas, Maria Kastani, a good friend and a mentor was visiting my studio in Chania in order to suggest collaboration. Maria Kastani is a talented person who knows deeply the world of fashion and has a talent in the art of communication. Maria believed in my designs like they were hers and everything else come along…

6. Do you think jewels express ones personality?

Yes!!! In fact it is the reason I believe jewels are made for! The jewelry that everyone chooses and the way that we are wearing it is a unique expression of everyone’s personality!

Thank you

Katerina Makriyianni

https://thesparklet.gr/2016/11/05/glimpse-katerina-makriyiannis-world-frisky-jewels/