La Greka: A Touch of Greece on the Riviera

La Greka is more than just a jewelry brand, it’s a love letter to Mediterranean culture. Based in France for the past eight years, Eirini, its founder, shares her journey between Athens and Nice, where she is established, her deep connection to Greek craftsmanship, and her desire to blend tradition with modernity.

Tell us about La Greka?
La Greka was created three years ago, from a personal need to reconnect with my Greek roots through a creative language. Jewelry came to me naturally, it runs in the family. I’ve always been inspired by the beauty of Greece: its light, the aesthetic of traditions. I wanted to offer contemporary Mediterranean jewelry made with ancestral techniques, rooted in local craftsmanship and using responsible materials.

Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Athens. I’ve been living in France for eight years now. My background isn’t strictly in jewelry: I studied art history and hold a master’s degree in marketing and communication.

How did you come to France?
Thanks to an Erasmus exchange program during my studies, in Montpellier. Initially, it was supposed to be just for six months.

What did you like about France?
I found a kind of structure I really needed at the time. I grew up in a Francophile family: my father studied in Paris, my mother is a French teacher. So I was always immersed in the French language and culture. Also, the South of France has many similarities with the Mediterranean, even though France is more structured and different in its own way.

What defines your creative world?
I draw a lot of inspiration from ancient Greek jewelry, Cycladic motifs, and volumes. Paris taught me to refine and simplify. In France, there’s a quiet elegance that really speaks to me.

Let’s go back to Greece — how would you describe it in just a few words?
For me, it’s the sea, the light, a powerful heritage, and generosity.

And Athens?
It’s a vibrant city, constantly evolving but still true to itself. It’s becoming more European while preserving its heritage and symbols. There’s an incredible creative energy there.

What inspires you most in contemporary Greek culture?
I admire the Greeks’ ability to create with little and turn the ordinary into something beautiful. That connection to the sacred, the body, and nature is still very present. I feel we’re reaching a balance between ancient heritage and contemporary forms.

Are there any Greek designers you admire, across all fields?
Yes, many. One of them is the house of Lalaounis, their jewelry inspires me a lot.

And in other domains?
Every time I return to Athens, I’m struck by how much the food scene has evolved. There’s a real creativity and a will to revisit traditional recipes while preserving the flavors of our childhood. It’s very inspiring.

Do you go back often?
I try to go at least four times a year. My pace is completely different over there — more organic. I take my time, I walk a lot, I gather inspiration. There’s morning coffee in the sun, conversations with artisans… and of course, family and friends.

And when you go on vacation, where do you like to go?
My mother is from the island of Syros, where we have a family home. It’s my refuge. I find a very soothing kind of slow life there.

What are the must-have pieces in your summer wardrobe?
Hoop earrings, all sizes — I love them. And of course, the Greek evil eye, the ultimate lucky charm. I’m also obsessed with hammered pieces: they catch the light beautifully, and I love that.

What’s your style when it comes to dress code?
I always wear at least one piece of jewelry that I consider a talisman, something I never take off. That’s what inspired the brand: a piece that stays with me all year long, like a fragment of light or a summer memory. I build my outfit around that — sometimes layering, sometimes with a bolder piece.

Do you produce your jewelry in an artisanal way?
Yes, from the beginning I wanted to follow a slower, more human rhythm. I mainly work with family-run workshops in Greece, where craftsmanship is passed down from generation to generation. These are trust-based collaborations. The materials are all from Europe, always noble, and 95% from Greece.

Are the workshops based in Athens? In which neighborhood?
Yes, right in the center of Athens, in the Plaka district.

Any upcoming projects?
I always have lots of ideas — I tend to go in many directions — but I try to stay focused. I’m working on a very limited-edition line, almost like one-of-a-kind pieces. I’d also love to collaborate with artists or ceramists, I think that would be a beautiful exchange.

Where can we find your creations?
Since the very beginning, my collections have been available on my online shop, lagrekaofficial.com, and in a selection of boutiques — mainly along the French Riviera for now. You can find the full list on my website. I have a small project for the island of Paros this summer, in the form of a pop-up.

(c) La Greka for Paris/Athènes Magazine

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