Page 7 - Real Style December 2017

deSigner SPotlight
Christos Costarellos
by Fatima Syed
When one thinks of bridal design, images of grandeur and extravagance immediately spring to mind. After all, the illusion of a beautiful bride wandering down the aisle
often summons thoughts of a fairytale. However, for Ath- ens-based designer Christos Costarellos, the concept of creating bridal couture is much closer to home—more spe- ci cally, it is interlaced with his Greek roots. “Every col- lection that I create, it’s Greek history, tradition and land- scape. I always have this aura,” he tells Real Style.
Costarellos was in Toronto recently for his Spring/Sum- mer 2018 preview at White Toronto, an upscale bridal bou- tique in the city’s Yorkville area. While it was his debut on Canadian soil, the design talent seemed at ease, praising the warm welcome from Torontonians.
When we ask him about his passion for bridal wear, Cos- tarellos pauses to re ect on his journey. Costarellos origi- nally started off as a ready-to-wear eveningwear designer, and was often asked by his clientele to create dresses in white. From here, the progression to bridal guru came nat- urally. “It’s a part of my job. It was just a step. It was not a struggle from my side to create a new bridal collection. Let’s say it was a necessary thing, to have in my brand.”
Seated alongside a ock of models in voluminous pas- tel numbers, the designer seems at home surrounded by the delicate décor of White. Although he may come across as a minimalist, there’s nothing spare about his designs. A Costarellos bridal gown can be expected to be detailed with lace, feminine tiers and sheer panels. Unlike a typi- cal wedding dress however, the designer also turns to bo-
7
PhoTos, chrisTos cosTarellos