Yahoo Finance Why Ancient Greek Sandals' Christina Martini and Louis Vuitton's Fabrizio Viti is a collaboration made in heaven
Founder of Ancient Greek Sandals, Christina Martini, relays a life in luxury as her daisy-strewn collaboration with Louis Vuitton’s head shoe designer, Fabrizio Viti, is finally released.
What does luxury mean to you?
For me, time is luxury. I’m so busy that often I wish I could clone myself so I’d have time for leisure and to travel.
Which Greek brands do you find exciting right now?
There are so many to look out for: for clothes - Zeus & Dione; for skincare - Apivita and for jewellery - either Lito or Lalaounis, the latter often worn by Jackie O and Elizabeth Taylor. We collaborated a few years ago on a collection of 9ct-gold plated sandals.
Describe the process behind your most recent collaboration with Fabrizio Viti.
It was so easy - Fabrizio and I didn’t meet up once but communicated everything through Whatsapp! We were colleagues at Louis Vuitton so we’re very attuned to how the other works. I didn’t direct him. He wanted to do daisies, I wanted to do traditional sandals: it was a good moment for both of us.
The inspiration?
Dolls. Fabrizio’s obsessed with dolls and has a vast collection from all over the world. During our Vuitton days, I remember spending hours of a Japanese research trip traipsing around porcelain doll shops. He has the first Barbie - the first ever Barbie - and a collection of over 1,000 dolls.
Do you collect anything?
Shoes, predictably. I have a lot of quite crazy, precious one-offs from when I worked for Louis Vuitton. They’re sadly in a warehouse in Athens at the moment but I’ve always wanted to build a glass-fronted shoe library at home in Corfu - stay tuned.
Anything else?
It’s not much of a collection but I have a pair of Rolexes - one, an Oyster Perpetual Rolex, given to me by my father when I first started working, and the other by my mother-in-law - which I alternate. So I never have any excuse for lateness.
Your favourite place to holiday?
Sorrento. One of my favourite hotels there is the stunning Parco dei Principi which was the 1960’s brainchild of Italian architect, Gio Ponti. The interiors of the hotel - which lurches over the sea - are completely blue throughout. It’s really amazing. I’m hoping to visit again in a few months.
Best hotel ever?
Either Parco dei Principi or La Pause, an eco-lodge I visited in the Marrakech desert a few months ago. It was very disconnected which I loved.
Who would design your dream house?
I would ask the late John Lautner. His ‘atomic age’ buildings, which are these sweeping glass and cement structures, were revolutionary for the 1950’s. Contemporary architecture doesn’t interest me but I’m a long-time fan of Bauhaus style.
Most delicious meal you’ve ever eaten?
Nothing beats authentic Japanese sushi, except maybe the sashimi served at Dining’s in London.
Last order at the bar?
I usually go for a gin and tonic or Tsipouro on the rocks - you can take the girl out of Greece…
