GALANNI: The globally renowned couture brand that started in a small Greek village

·

Lenna and Catherine Vasilas talk to The Greek Herald about fashion, how the Galanni brand began, and how two girls from Lamia managed to create a very successful fashion brand in Sydney.

 “When a woman wears GALANNI, we want her to radiate presence, we want her to feel confident and empowered, by her beauty and by celebrating the female form. The way we do this is by designing wearable art combined with our signature fits.”

For the Vasilas women, it proves true that talent is in the blood. As both mother (Lenna) and daughter (Catherine) believe fashion was their calling.

“Fashion is a platform where we can freely express our creativity and art through design. Often we always made dresses for ourselves and every time we wore them found interest by women wanting and sometimes even demanding to buy our designs, so in 2004 we took the plunge and launched Galanni,” explains Catherine.

“Starting a high end couture label was always dream of ours. Crafting wearable works of arts whilst achieving the ultimate fit transformed the brand to new heights. Being woman designers allowed us to have an advantage as we know exactly how we wanted to feel and look when wearing a glamorous gown.”

GALANNI photoshoot in Santorini.

Catherine believes that what took GALANNI from a family idea to a high-end couture label was hard work, late nights and focus.

“We feel it is really important to stay true to your creativity, trust your creative intuition, always be original, and don’t take any short cuts in the quality and the journey,” said Catherine.

Lenna Vasilas, who founded GALANNI in 2004, experienced the migrant success story first-hand when she and her family migrated from Lamia, Greece, with one suitcase.

“A lesson that my parents taught me is whatever your situation is or where you come from you can achieve whatever you want. All you need is a vision and just go for it,” said Lenna.

The mother-daughter duo have not forgotten their Greek roots, and say their Greek heritage influences their inspiration for their work.

“Being Greek and being proud of our heritage and culture has always been one of our main sources of inspiration and you can see that through each of our designs, there’s always an element of Grecian flair,” said Catherine.

“When we are designing the Greek summers are always the backdrop to our vision!! And one of our proud highlights of our brand was when we did our campaign photo-shoot in Santorini.”

The GALANNI success story is reflected in their clothing, as well as the highly commendable people who wear their clothing. Some of their most prominent GALANNI fans include Mel B, Paula Abdul, Jennifer Hawkins, Samantha Jade, Jessica Mauboy,  Jesinta Franklin, Sophie Monk, The Veronicas and Brandi Glanville. 

Jennifer Hawkins in GALANNI.

The duo seek constant motivation from new goals which inspires new creations. They say an ultimate honour of theirs would be to dress Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé or Rihanna!

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Greece outclassed by Denmark in World Cup qualifier

Greece were left frustrated on home soil as they slumped to a 3-0 defeat against Denmark in Piraeus on Monday night.

Twin pays heartfelt tribute after shark attack claims surfer Mercury Psillakis’ life

The brother of surfer Mercury Psillakis, killed in a shark attack off Dee Why Beach, has shared a tribute describing their unbreakable bond.

‘Greece and Romiosyni have no borders’: Renos Haralambidis brings his films to Australia

Renos Haralambidis will be honoured with a retrospective at the 30th Greek Film Festival in Sydney this October, showcasing five films.

Nico Lazaridi wines shine at exclusive Sydney hospitality dinner

Nico Lazaridi organised a wine dinner at Alpha Dining on Tuesday night to promote the PGI wines they produce across northern Greece.

Box Hill couple Michael and Rita Nicolaou deny delaying $27m school project

Michael and Rita Nicolaou, who sold their Box Hill property to the state, have denied claims of holding up construction of two new schools.

You May Also Like

Cretan youth from Australia draw crowds on Crete with their dancing performances

The senior dancing group of the Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW made a lasting impression on the Greek island of Crete this month.

Six iconic images on Anzac Biscuit Tins devoted to 80th anniversary of the Battle of Crete

Six iconic images all relating to the Battle of Crete will feature on the BAKERS FINEST Commemorative Anzac Biscuit Tins.

Olympiakos victory not enough to advance through to Europa League quarter-finals

A 1-0 Olympiakos victory against Arsenal wasn't enough to advance through to the quarter finals of the Europa League.