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VICTORIA KYRIAKIDES: AT THE VANGUARD OF FASHION, IN GREECE AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

By NEO Magazine on April 17, 2026

by Athena Efter

The name Victoria Kyriakides has become synonymous around the world for eclectic and renowned bridal wear. The Greek designer’s work has graced the international pages of Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, and WWD to name a few. From her atelier in Athens, Kyriakides has expanded her presence to showrooms in New York, Los Angeles and Seoul, as well as collaborations with upscale retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom. Her clients include high-profilers in the worlds of entertainment, politics, culture, and business.From her beginnings in the early 2000s, Kyriakides has grown, over two decades, into one of the leading figures in the Greek fashion world. But, her stature has brought her worldwide acclaim. Not one to rest on her laurels, Kyriakides has collaborated with many international brands, creating bespoke fashion creations and expanding her talents to evening wear and luxury shoes. NEO sat down with Kyriakides to talk about her incredible career and what holds for the future.

Take us to the beginning. Did you always want to go into fashion design? Did you study it formally? Did you work with other houses before you started your own?

From an early age, I was drawn to the language of form, proportion, and the female silhouette. Beauty, balance, and the way clothing can shape how a woman feels about herself always fascinated me. Fashion felt like a natural extension of my artistic sensibility; it felt almost inevitable.

I studied music academically, while immersing myself in the language of all forms of art—a process that gave me discipline, structure, and a strong aesthetic foundation.

Very early on, I felt a strong need to express my own vision through luxury evening and red-carpet designs. Many of these pieces quickly gained attention from the press, artists, and celebrities, with entire collections selling out.

Interestingly, it was my clientele who naturally led me toward couture bridal, as an increasing number of requests came to design their custom wedding gowns according to my aesthetic, at a time when bridal fashion felt rather conventional and predictable.

Founding my couture house in the early 2000s was a natural progression. It was about building a brand by creating a distinct world that reflected my aesthetic, values, and desire to bring a more contemporary, fashion-driven sensibility to bridal couture.

What was it about bridal design that made you decide it was the area you wanted to focus on?

Bridal design combines emotion, craftsmanship, and timelessness in a very pure way. A wedding dress is not just a gown—it becomes part of a woman’s story and a cherished memory.

I was drawn to the intimacy of that process—the idea of creating something entirely personal for a woman, designed around her body and unique personality. Couture bridal allows for that level of precision and emotional connection, which is very close to my philosophy as a designer.

What inspires your work? Do you draw from specific eras or artistic movements? Does Greece’s own classical and cultural tradition influence your work?

My work is deeply inspired by the female form—its lines, movement, and natural elegance. I’m drawn to the idea of revealing that beauty in a refined, understated way, where the personality and the silhouette are in the spotlight.

I don’t follow specific eras in a literal sense, but I’m influenced by timeless aesthetics— classical sculpture, modernist architecture, and certain moments in fashion where simplicity carried great power. Growing up in Greece, surrounded by classical art, proportion, and harmony, inevitably shaped my sense of balance and restraint.

You first gained recognition throughout Europe and now you have a big presence in the USA. Do you see differences amongst clients—in terms of their aesthetic preferences—in different parts of the world?

There are subtle differences in how women approach style across the world. European clients often gravitate toward quiet luxury and refinement, while American clients embrace a more expressive, adventurous approach—which I adore, as both expressions de ne the core aesthetic and the signature style of my work.

What connects them, however, is the desire for authenticity. Women everywhere seek pieces that feel personal, beautifully constructed, and true to their identity—and that shared desire is what couture is truly about.

You also design evening wear and a bespoke shoe collection. Are you planning to branch out into other areas of fashion?

The house already works across several categories—custom bridal, evening and red carpet gowns, and a bespoke haute couture luxury shoe collection. Each pair is personally designed by me and meticulously handcrafted in Italy from silk by the finest artisans. Every design is created to complement the aesthetic of each couture gown, forming a complete and harmonious look.

For me, expansion is about deepening the experience and building a re ned, cohesive world around the woman who wears the brand. Every new piece must feel authentic,

purposeful, and true to the house’s identity. We are also exploring the idea of developing a capsule collection in fine jewelry.

Is there a particular moment in your career that you’re most proud of?

Some of the most meaningful moments have been deeply personal. Vogue USA recognized my work, citing me as an “Unconventional Designer,” one of nine emerging bridal designers worldwide, while Daily Front Row highlighted the house as one of six new European designers shaping the U.S. bridal scene. I also cherish beautiful partnerships and special moments, like Saks Fifth Avenue selecting my crystal gown, Leto, for their campaign shoot, and Saks Beverly Hills displaying it in their luxury Christmas window.

Designing the wedding gown for Erin Williams, including her fittings in Beverly Hills with her mother and father, AC/DC legend Cliff Williams, are sweet moments I keep in my heart, alongside creating Akemi’s gown for her wedding to Matthew Murphy, lead singer of the British band The Wombats, in Marbella, Spain.

Designing Devorah Rose’s wedding gown, a memorable bridal journey featured in Hamptons Social Life Magazine, introduced my work to a discerning American audience.

On the red carpet, designing for iconic Greek performers such as Helena Paparizou, Foteini Dara, and Anna Vissi, as well as high-profile figures from fashion, cinema, politics, and shipping, always brings together craftsmanship, emotion, and personal storytelling.

What designers inspired you when you embarked on your career?

I have always admired designers who create a clear, distinctive identity and remain true to it. Halston, for example, embodied modern elegance and purity of line, shaping American minimalism and in influencing generations of designers worldwide. I also respect the visionary work of Jean Paul Gaultier, as well as the legendary houses of Dior and Yves Saint Laurent.

My signature style is defined by a balance of innovation and timelessness, combining precise craftsmanship with the vision to create pieces that feel modern, sophisticated, and elegant. I strive to honor that sense of clarity and restraint, while allowing the personality of each woman and the emotion of the moment to shape the final creation.

What are the future plans for your brand? Will you be expanding stores around the world?

Looking ahead, the focus is on thoughtful, curated growth. I envision developing a bespoke atelier in Manhattan, where luxury brides can experience a truly personalized couture journey, reflecting the brand’s dedication to precision, sophistication, and elegance. To bring this vision to life, the house is exploring partnerships with discerning investors and fashion enthusiasts who share a passion for exceptional craftsmanship and re ned couture.

The house also aspires to collaborate with legendary fashion houses, including icons such as Halston, and is drawn to creative partnerships with visionary filmmakers, bringing couture sensibility into cinematic storytelling—a vision inspired by auteurs such as George Lanthimos.

Can you tell us a bit about your philanthropic efforts such as with The Hellenic Initiative and Creaid?

Alongside its couture work, the house supports philanthropic initiatives, reflecting a belief that creativity and craftsmanship can contribute meaningfully to the world. It collaborates with The Hellenic Initiative and Creaid, combining artistry with purpose. Giving back through design feels entirely natural to the house and is an essential part of its ethos.

What advice would you give to young designers first starting out, especially those in Greece?

My advice is to remain true to your vision and cultivate patience—a strong identity and mastery take time to develop. Technical skill and creativity must go hand in hand; discipline is just as important as inspiration.

I would also encourage young designers to think globally from the very beginning. Fashion is an art form that transcends borders, and the ability to position your work within that wider world, opens doors to growth, collaboration, and meaningful recognition. Above all, believe in the uniqueness of your perspective and let it guide your creative journey.

Explore more:

Website: http://www.victoriakyriakides.com

Instagram: @victoriakyriakides (https://www.instagram.com/victoriakyriakides)