Loves of My Life: Alexia Karides

The best interviews are often the most personal. In Loves of My Life, we get to know the person behind their craft, asking them the important questions we're desperate to know—the restaurants and date-night spots, what's in their Saved folder on Instagram, the piece of jewellery they're most attached to and what's lurking at the bottom of their handbag. In short, these are the true loves of their life. Next up is jewellery designer and founder of YSSO, Alexia Karides.

What's your #1 restaurant to visit in the world, and what do you order?

It's hard to choose, but the first place that came to mind is Cantina in Sifnos. This tiny restaurant at the bottom of the old town is what dreams are made from—the food is exquisite, both modern and traditional, and the wine is incredible. It’s all about the experience of being secluded and yet still in the middle of a buzzing modern restaurant in front of the Aegean.

Is there anything in your wardrobe that you're particularly sentimental about?

Any clothing that I have from my mother! From jumpers to jeans, I love wearing my mother’s vintage clothes, both because they belonged to her, but also because the quality is simply amazing and goes to show that good design and quality never goes out of fashion.

What would we always find lurking in the bottom of your handbag?

Photography was always my passion and that’s why I set out to do all our YSSO campaigns myself. So, I always carry with me my Leica D-Lux 8—it’s a portable camera that is perfect for travel and it’s not as chunky as the professional cameras I use for our campaigns. The beauty of it is that you get high-quality photography out of a small-sized camera.

The Cycladic Island of Sifnos, Greece.

What's your signature scent?

I love changing perfume with either the season or life periods, for example, I have a perfume that reminds me of when I used to live in Brussels in such a strong and vivid manner that it transports me to that time. My current perfume though (that I’m obsessed with because it’s both complex and strong) is the Lys 41 by Le Labo.

If you could only holiday in one place for the rest of your life, where would it be?

With the fear of being a cliché, I have to say Greece. You can experience everything all at once, from skiing in the mountains to incredible summer holidays in such a variety of landscapes and social scenes that it’s a never-ending quest of mine to find my favourite place in Greece. Every time you visit somewhere new, there is always somewhere else yet to discover; that's what I find the most fascinating about my country, and I don’t know if I’ll ever feel differently however many years I keep exploring.

We've caught you on a rare day off. What are you doing with your spare time?

I love going to Love Supreme in Golborne Road for yoga, and across to Klear Labs for a blue matcha. I love going to the cinema, so that’s definitely something I would be doing in an evening off, or spending time at the Royal Academy of Arts and browsing the gift store.

What's your secret date-night spot?

Dorian in Notting Hill off Ledbury Road. It has this perfect balance of being intimate but lively, with warm lighting, incredible food, and a great wine list. It feels like a little escape from being in London.

What's one item of clothing you would never part with, and why?

My YSSO jewellery. It’s more than just jewellery—it’s deeply personal. Every piece carries a story for me, as I hope it does to others, whether it’s from my mother’s archive of designs, or my own, or if it is part of a collaboration which in itself carries a story as well. I wear YSSO pieces every day, not just because we make them, but because I feel like I carry those memories with me regardless of where the day takes me.

 What's your current most-played on Spotify?

I love this song "Cumbia Sobre El Mar" firstly because it reminds me of the summer, and secondly I love latin music – it’s so close to the spirit of the Mediterranean culture, but so different at the same time. This song masterfully fuses the timeless rhythms of Cumbia, a Colombian music genre, with contemporary electronic production. The result is an integration of the old and the new. Paying homage to tradition while pushing the boundaries of musical experimentation.

What's your favourite IG account to follow, and why?

I love this art and interiors account, @objet_la_ny. It’s one of those pages that feels like stepping into an imperfectly curated world and someone’s authentic moodboard. It’s not one sided and it has depth and variety but also enables discovery of beautiful objects, furniture, and pieces that feel timeless yet authentic.

If we looked through your Saved folder on IG, what would we find?

What a great question! It’s always amazing to go through the saved folder to see what honestly inspires you without the bias of being ‘seen’ by others. In mine you will find lots of interiors, mid-century furniture, art, objects and generally images I like aesthetically. Because I’m a photographer I’m very influenced by colour, shapes and textures of images, so the saved folder is just images I find moving.

Where is your favourite place for inspiration and your favourite place for fun?

For inspiration, I love going to the Tate Modern gift shop! It’s full of design and art books that are so incredibly well curated. For fun, I love going to the House of KOKO in Camden.

What's one beauty or self-care item you can't live without?

To My Ships Polygonum Hand and Body Wash. It's a new brand from the team that started Aesop, and the entire room smells amazing after you shower—it leaves an incredible scent on the skin long after.

What are your top three favourite movies of all time?

Gone with the Wind, the Kill Bill series, and The Grand Budapest Hotel. I love movies with strong visuals and impactful photography, but also a great story.

What's one piece of advice that someone you love gave to you that has always stuck?

“Do it with intention, or don’t do it at all.”

 Who are your professional and personal heroes?

Professionally, I deeply admire Eileen Gray for her visionary approach to design, Elsa Peretti for revolutionising jewellery with organic, sculptural forms, and Issey Miyake for his innovation in fashion and textiles. Internationally renowned Greek artist Takis is also so inspiring. His ability to merge art, science, and movement into kinetic sculptures is something I find endlessly fascinating.

On a more personal level, my grandmother is one of my greatest heroes. She always painted so beautifully, was endlessly patient and her love of cinema has influenced me profoundly.

Elsa Peretti photographed in 1976 for Vogue by Horst P. Horst.

Who is/ are the love(s) of your life?

Sunrise by the beach, great conversation, and my cats.

What is the love of your life?

Creativity—the thing that pulls me back, over and over again.

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