English version
Stephanie Conte,
With Greece, it has been love at first sight
Écrit par Julie-Anne Amiard
26 avril 2023
We've known Stéphanie for years to meet her every summer, in the same place, at the same time. From a terrace on Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris, she tells us about her “love at first sight” for the country.
Tell us about the first time you discovered Greece.
I discovered Greece by discovering Spetses, in fact. This is the first island I visited. I went there to join some friends and it was “love at first sight”. I also go regularly to Hydra, of course, it’s next door. I love these islands for their wild side.
What did you immediately like about this island ?
I had read Michel Déon’s book, “Le balcon de Spetsai”, a great writer, a great academician and for the legend, he lived the last 10 years of his life between Ireland and Spetses. I like the intellectual side of the island, you meet very interesting people there. It is not at all the island where we party, where the bars follow one another. It’s not the spirit at all. They managed to preserve all the “Instagram” side. I’m a bit like that after all, I like the essentials, I’m not exuberant, even in clothes, I always dress the same, in navy blue, black, gray… I’m the opposite of Mykonos in fact !
What are your favorite places on the island ?
The Poseidonion, in the evening, for a drink after the beach, I find it gorgeous. I like, in the morning, to read the newspaper at the Kafeneion in Dapia, I like Patralis, the fish restaurant, I like Villa Martha for Dimitris, I like to have dinner at Orloff, like everyone else I imagine. I love Zogheria for having been there for years with my lover, it is the beach where my children grew up and Xylokeriza beach, even wilder.
(c) JAA – Paris/Athènes Magazine
Tell us about your jewelry. Fifilz, why this name ?
Fifi was my nickname when I was little and I added the initials of my children’s first names. I started imagining jewelry by pure chance, in fact. I happen to be very friendly with the Cohen family, those who own Merci and it was at a time in my life where I was questioning myself, I decided to make jewelry, they were sold at their conecpt store and that took off immediately. I started by creating small charms, small threads, and then the iconic piece was born. I had gone to Lille, to Roubaix, where I came across a stock of safety pins and I reappropriate myself the object.
Where can we find your creations ?
In concept stores, in Dubai, at Comptoir 102, in Switzerland, at Basil, at one point I was at Bon Marché, during the Punk exhibition, a few years ago. Otherwise, I mainly sell on the web.
Does Greece influence your creativity ?
Yes a lot. In Paris, I have a super busy, super hectic life, Greece is one of those places that soothe me.
What are you currently working on ?
I’m still working on the iconic, the Lee bangle, in different materials and much thicker. I decline it. I want to make it a classic, like the Love or the Clou by Cartier or the handcuffs by Dinh Van.
What is your ideal summer wardrobe ?
White shirt, denim shorts and Rondini during the day. Converse in the evening, long Celine dresses, vintage Levis, old shirts that I’ve been hanging around forever.
It is not necessary to end the interview with the traditional question about your destination this summer ?
No… We can skip the question !
(c) Fifilz / JAA