Used by Kakanias as “a metaphor for the state of contemporary art and its superficial reception by the public”, Mrs Tependris has become a cult figure in the art community. Kakanias’ “alter-ego” Mrs Tependris, is a caricature of an art collector, a cosmopolitan, high society doyenne, supporter of the Parthenon sculptures and marriage equality. In 1996, Kakanias introduced his fictional heroine Mrs.Tependris to his audience for the first time in a New York Times Magazine illustrated article. When Kakanias moved back to New York City in 1988 he collaborated with Tiffany and Barneys New York and his drawings were published by The New York Times and Vanity Fair. His art has since been influenced by this experience with admirers of his works observing echoes of pharaohs and hieroglyphs in many of Kakanias’ drawings today. Kakanias’s great love for Egyptian civilisation propelled his move to Luxor, Egypt in 1984 for one year to study Ancient Egyptian art. He has created textile designs for Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Lacroix. Louboutin’s “dear friend”, Greek artist and illustrator Konstantin Kakaniasĭescribed by Christian Louboutin as a “dear friend”, Konstantin Kakanias is a contemporary Greek painter and multimedia artist who has created drawings, paintings, sculptures, performances, ceramics and books throughout his illustrious career.īorn in Athens in 1961 Kakanias currently lives and works in both Los Angeles and Greece.Īfter studying textile design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, and fashion and art at Studio Bercot in Paris, under the guidance of well-known artist and set designer Lila de Nobili, Kakanias started his career at 22, working as an illustrator for newspapers and magazines such as French Vogue and Vogue Italia. Footwear styles range from flats and sandals, to a pair of boots. The brand also calls upon all gentlemen to put their best foot forward, extending the Grecian-inspired collection to include several men’s styles. The seasonal collection features the ‘Greekaba’ handbag which is available in a range of sizes including a smaller bucket style and a new ‘Loubiphore’ silhouette inspired by the tall narrow proportions of Ancient Greek amphoras. Inspired by the Aegean Sea, the limited edition styles of the Greekaba also play out in a variety of sizes and silhouettes. Other patterns in the collection incorporate the new and vivid ‘Loubieye’ print which is Kakanias’ take on the traditional Greek ‘mati’, believed to protect the owner against curses and negativity. There is a new ‘Loubi Odyssey’ print that depicts Louboutin and Miss Tependris sailing through the Mediterranean Sea and exploring the Cycladic islands and the many wonders that they hold. On one piece, Christian offers his host Mrs Tependris a pair of custom Christian Louboutin shoes, while on another the pair raise their glasses to toast Louboutin’s arrival. One of several ‘seasonal cabas’ launched annually, each exclusive piece of the ‘Greekaba’ collection depicts Christian as he embarks on a modern-day odyssey around Athens and the Greek islands accompanied by fictional characters Mrs Tependris and her faithful poodle Pepe. Meet the Greekabaįor the collection, Kakanias has cleverly created rich artwork that pays tribute to the cultural heritage and craftsmanship of the Mediterranean, and places Greece’s rich cultural heritage firmly in the spotlight.

Another year, another adventure for French fashion designer Christian Louboutin, who invites his customers to take a journey to the Mediterranean with his new ‘Greekaba’ collection.Ĭreated in collaboration with Louboutin’s close friend, Greek artist and illustrator Konstantin Kakanias, the collection of footwear and handbags was created to celebrate the designer’s great love of travel.

Fashion art drawings