June 2021 - No. 1
A Man Reborn
A peek into the world of TOMMAZO, a fashion brand by Toumazos Charalambous
Toumazos Charalambous is a leading force in fashion design hailing from Cyprus. While Cyprus may not initially be labeled as a fashion hub, Charalambous is certainly transforming the standards. He is the founder and creative director of TOMMAZO, a gender-neutral clothing label based entirely on the island.
TOMMAZO’s androgynous aesthetic is admired and accepted by the Cypriot people, a society traditionally rooted in conservative values. Charalambous says he is thrilled to be known on the island as the person who lets people comfortably play with and break gender norms when wearing his fluid silhouettes.
Toumazos Charalambous, founder and creative director of TOMMAZO
The small scale, captivating weather, and relaxed living of Cyprus provide Charalambous with the capacity to work closely and collaboratively with his factories and business partners. “We have diligent people working for us in Cyprus who are dedicated to advancing the manufacturing, textile, and design industries together,” Charalambous says about his trusted colleagues.
The island’s unmatched energy also gives him ample inspiration for his creations. Each collection at TOMMAZO emulates a special moment or emotional shift from Charalambous’s personal life. While he sometimes struggles to separate himself from his brand, the one element that remains omnipresent is the air of romance. “I am a very romantic and amorous person and always try to translate those sentiments in my work,” he shares.
From TOMMAZO’s Autumn/Winter ‘21 lookbook at a bazaar in Cyprus
Charalambous presented his latest collection for TOMMAZO titled The Return (Autumn/Winter ‘21) at the virtual Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Russia this past April. He details The Return as an “important collection for me personally because it was developed during a very difficult time. It illustrates the way we’ve returned to ourselves and to nature as a result of the pandemic”.
The Return’s lookbook campaign produces energies of peace, healing, and motivation for the future as the world recovers from an unusual year. The future for TOMMAZO looks just as bright as Charalambous fulfills orders from his largest markets in Italy, Germany, and New York, and focuses heavily on sustainability. From using local organic cotton and linen fabrics to ensuring minimal waste in production processes, Charalambous proclaims “sustainability is the brand’s future”
Look 06 from the TOMMAZO Autumn/Winter ‘21 lookbook
Charalambous also plans to grow his retail footprint across Europe and the USA to expose his platform to more shoppers. “I can’t wait to participate in more physical shows and create a fuller atmosphere for my customers where they can touch, feel, and experience TOMMAZO in person again,” he says in response to the virtual world we've become accustomed to.
His dedication to his craft, enchantment for Cyprus, and drive to advance his sustainable operations are fascinating audiences across the globe. It’s undeniably the man behind the brand that makes TOMMAZO so alluring.
Follow TOMMAZO on Instagram here
Paint the Town Pink
A conversation with Eleni Simoni, a mixed-media artist based in Thessaloniki, Greece
Spurred by the pandemic, Simoni returned to Greece, her home country, following ten years working in the competitive and exhilarating art scene in London. Her move back home granted her time and space to reflect on her personal journey and start expressing herself through art. As her creativity flowed, she developed her first collection, which is highly praised for its combination of reality and dreamlike conceptions. Here, we caught up with Simoni on her latest projects, future goals, and the joy she has working in Greece.
Eleni Simoni in her studio in Thessaloniki
How has your career and lifestyle shifted since you moved back to Thessaloniki?
I came back to Greece to be closer to my family amid the pandemic, and I’m grateful I did. Before the pandemic, I was representing artists in London. Now, I am an artist myself! Being an artist and entrepreneur in Greece has become my most fulfilling job. Sometimes in bad times, good things happen, and I think art can heal us right now.
How do you feel the artistic scenes in Greece and London differ, since you are so familiar with both?
London has the flashing lights, fabulous lifestyle, and competitive environment, but there are a lot of opportunities here in Greece for young artists. The community here is very supportive and wants to work together to advance the country’s art scene. Some people question why I came back to Greece, but I love my home country and I want to be part of its emerging art influence.
Tell us about the artistic voice you’ve cultivated throughout the pandemic.
For me, my art is my therapy. When I create, I like to build a contrast between moments like childhood and adulthood, for example, where a long stretch of time has passed. My age and the digital age play a big part in my work. The digital world affects the way we all feel and communicate, and I try to express those emotions in my art, photography, and social platforms.
“Romance”, mixed media, 2021
What is your favorite media & material to work with?
My main material is oil paint. I’m most comfortable using oils because I can play with them! I’ve also experimented with tea, makeup, and highlighters. On top of my art on canvas, I love upcycling clothes and accessories with abstract designs. I started selling my upcycled pieces on Depop, and it’s been really successful.
The color pink is quite prevalent in your work. What significance does it serve to you and your audience?
I’ve had such an obsession with this color since I was young! I always include a hue of pink as a subtle element in my work because I feel it brings a comforting message of hope and femininity. My connection to the color pink is also culturally significant right now because I think the world needs some feminine energy— some healing.
What are your plans for expansion and growth in the future?
I’m focusing my energy into developing a collection of sustainable ready-to-wear clothing. I have a Masters in Applied Psychology in Fashion, and want to translate my learnings into designs that are optimal for the environment and the self. I’ve been researching how to transfer my art into sustainable textiles like cotton and linen. My goal is to shape a completely unique Greece-based sustainable fashion brand inspired by my experiences and the light airy feeling of the Greek islands. I want the fashion brand to fill a gap in an oversaturated market, so I am continuing to find my voice. While I research, I am focusing on exploring more sides of myself by mastering my art and experimenting with new collaborations.
Upcycled handbag with abstract design
What lessons has the pandemic taught you?
The pandemic gave me the opportunity to research myself and reflect on my experiences, which is how my first collection was born. I didn’t imagine I would be successful selling pieces, but my dream came true.
“Dance of life”, mixed media, 2021. On exhibit for PHÌLO-POÈM at M.A.D.S. Art Gallery in Milan from May 21 - May 31
What do you wish the diaspora knew about the artistic community of Greece?
I feel Greece is having a significant cultural revolution following the economic crisis and now the pandemic— I’m very proud! In addition to its beautiful islands and kindhearted people, Greece is home to a strong artistic community that has a lot to offer. There is a bright future for the arts in Greece because the artists are hardworking and rapidly gaining more international recognition.
Simoni’s studio, Thessaloniki
Simoni continues to grow her artistic influence with a number of upcoming exhibitions including: Visionary Art Collective, London Paint Club, Visual, Art Way, VOL UP Parisian magazine, Art Number 23 (Athens), and her first international physical exhibit in Monaco in August ‘21.
Follow her on Instagram here
