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No, you didn’t die and go to fashion heaven. Our favourite jewellery darling, Lucy Folk, and our favourite sandal brand, Ancient Greek Sandals, have collaborated on a collection of superb slides to see you through summer and beyond.
Born from a mutual love of travel, the Grecian footwear label and Australian jewellery designer have teamed up to create three sandals (in various neutral colour ways) that reflect their nomadic spirit. Tapping Ancient Greek Sandals’ strong focus on craftsmanship and Folk’s uniquely creative outlook, the exclusive three-style capsule is a beautiful collision of art, history and travel, and bears the stamp of both brands – quite literally. The sole of each shoe has been hot stamped with the four elements of nature; Earth Wind Fire Water, a link to Folk’s new jewellery, accessories and apparel collection of the same name, which launched globally of 7 November.
Inspired by a recent trip to Morocco, Folk embraced Ancient Greek Sandals’ signature shapes and strong identity, whilst weaving her iconic Lucy Folk style into each piece. Through textured embellished symbols, Folk developed charms in both gold and silver which adorn each sandal, adding that kitschy Folk spirit to Ancient Greek Sandals’ esteemed leather. As with all Ancient Greek Sandals, they are handmade in Greece and complete with their trademark wing buckle and of course, the most superior comfort.
A collection which fuses the iconography of Antiquity with traditional craftsmanship, there’s no better (or godly) flat to slide around in.
Here, Lucy and Ancient Greek Sandals co-founder, Christina Martini, tell us how a love of summer and sandals became this summer’s greatest fashion love story.
Lucy folk
How did the collaboration come about? And how did you land on these three shoes?
I have been an avid follower of Ancient Greek Sandals for years and a dear friend put Christina & I in touch. AGS are a cult brand and it was such a pleasure working with the team. As a great holiday enthusiast, I am constantly in sandals (even in Winter). I wanted to create a collection of shoes that reflected my love for the Mediterranean and North Africa. Incorporating elements derived from Berber symbolism.
What was the inspiration for the collection?
‘Earth Wind Fire and Water’ is the theme for my Resort Collection and I wanted to carry this through to the collaboration. On the sole of each pair you will find the symbols of earth, wind, fire and water (which you find on our towelling collection also). The metal elements link to those found in my jewels for Earth Wind Fire Water. The shapes came from ancient relics in a museum in Tangier, Morocco.
Craftsmanship is key to both brands, was this something that initially drew you two together? And how have you incorporated this in the AGS x Lucy Folk collection?
I think our love for the sea and the sun brought us together! All AGS sandals are handmade in Greece. Every element from this collaboration is made in Greece which is unusual these days! The way the metal elements are fastened to the leather mimic that of a jewellery piece.
Travel is also something that connects you. How important is travel in your work, and what are your favourite places to visit and why?
It’s everything to me! I feel alive when I travel and I have the opportunity to engage with people from different cultures. I adore Morocco. Tangier and Marrakech are the cities I know best. I find the palette of the city in Marrakech very calming and it fuels my creativity. I look up more. I am not buried in my phone in the back of a taxi in the city, I am rather looking outside at the colour and what life passes by! People continue to engage here and they trade with their eyes, not their phones.
What places inspired you for this collection?
Ibiza, Tangier and Marrakech!
Are there any other are commonalities that AGS and Lucy Folk share?
We are both from Islands!
You both stand as brands that represent summer in its purest form. What do you believe defines summer dressing? And what are your favourite looks for the season?
Feeling naked but with clothes on! A second skin. Something easy to take off and put on that can take you from the beach to dinner. Why waste time dressing when you can stay longer at the beach.
My favourite look this season – I do covet shorts. I wear them almost every day! Even in winter I have woollen shorts! My favourite look from the apparel collection would be the Aether Longline dress in Racer Stripe with the matching PLAYA robe wrapped around my waist!
How will you be styling the collection?
With the new LF Apparel & Jewellery Collection. I am very excited about this collaboration. I chose my pairs today and I have a few to rotate for Summer.
CHRISTINA Martini
How did the collaboration come about? And how did you land on these three shoes?
We hadn’t collaborated in the past with an Australian designer and we thought that Lucy Folk was the perfect match in terms of being a resort brand as well as a brand that gives extra attention to craftsmanship and detail. I was really fond of her gold crochet snake jewels and for me that was the starting point of the collaboration. This collaboration was a very long one. We started very early on, experimenting with different elements and designs. Colourful braided ropes made in Marrakesh, intricate metallic decorations, the crochet snakes…We made a lot of prototypes and samples and we finally concentrated on 3 classic styles decorated with metallic studs in oxidised silver and metallic beads in matte gold.
What was the inspiration for the collection?
The base of the sandals are classic Ancient Greek Sandals shapes which have been decorated with Lucy’s symbols -‐ the four elements of nature. The inspiration came from a trip Lucy had in Morocco where she found different vintage pieces. From these we used the shapes, textures and the symbols. On all the soles we created a special stamp incorporating a print with the 4 elements too.
Craftsmanship is key to both brands, was this something that initially drew you two together? And how have you incorporated this in the AGS x Lucy Folk collection?
Ancient Greek Sandals are handmade in Greece using old techniques; the construction of our sandals is the typical Mediterranean construction that has been used for centuries. I feel that with Lucy we have a common language, we both love handmade things and we try to use old techniques in order to make contemporary pieces for modern women. We both value heritage and tradition and we get inspired from Ancient civilisations.
Travel is also something that connects you. How important is travel in your work, and what are your favourite places to visit and why?
I travel mostly for work as I prefer to spend my summer holidays sailing in Greece. Because I live in Corfu, a green island, when I travel I mostly want to visit big cities. I love New York, London and Paris. When I travel I try to see as many exhibitions and museums as possible, it’s what inspires me the most. I would also love to explore more of Japan as I have only been to Tokyo - it is one of my favourite places on earth!
How did your native Greece inspire you for this collection?
For this collection, the Apteros style which is adorned with Lucy’s symbols, is inspired by Ancient Greek architecture and specifically the columns you find throughout Athens and Greece.
What do you believe defines summer dressing? And what are your go-to looks for season?
In Greece it gets really hot so materials play a big role in summer dressing. Light, soft fabrics with a relaxed fit define summer dressing for me. Mostly in vivid colours, earthy tones and white. I also love to wear a lot of jewellery, mixing gold with colourful beads, shells and pebbles. For this summer I love Lucy’s poolside dresses.
How will you be styling the collection?
I think these sandals could be worn with everything from jean shorts and light kaftans for the day to long linen dresses for the evening.
