💙 Code Blue: A Garment from Lesvos 💙
The traditional garment from Lesvos is called vrakousa
Today, I want to share with you why I created the design that will be walking down the runway of the Blue Wrap Project Runway show on the 16th May 2025.
The Story Behind My Design
When Partners for World Health (PWH) reached out and asked me to design Greece's garment, I wanted to understand the kind of support they had provided to Greece. They told me that in 2016, PWH sent medical supplies to the island of Lesvos - a year when Lesvos was at the frontline of Europe's refugee crisis.
That year, thousands of refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan risked their lives to cross the sea, fleeing war and searching for safety. The people of Lesvos stepped up in extraordinary ways, offering whatever help they could provide despite the challenged they faced themselves.
Knowing this, I felt strongly that my design should reflect this story.
A Simple Garment, A Powerful Story
Greece has many traditional garments - some more elaborate and impressive, others simpler and more humble.
The traditional garment from Lesvos is one of the simplest (see examples above). Under different circumstances, I may not have chosen it to represent Greece as a whole.
But for this project, honoring Lesvos felt important - both to acknowledge the work that PWH has done and to recognise the incredible efforts and sacrifices of the people of Lesvos during 2016. Their contribution deserves to be remembered and celebrated.
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