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Athens Shops have slightly eccentric opening hours, probably designed to fit around the beach. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, they open from 9.30am-2.30pm. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, they re-open again from 5.30-8.30.
Kolonaki For upmarket chic, original Greek designer wear, good Italian designers like Artisti Italiani, that you won’t find unless you go to Italy (on the corner of Kanari and Sekeri, near Kolonaki square). Walk down Panepistimiou St near Syndagma, for a trawl of the usual luxury internationals - Hermes, Cartier – that will lead you eventually towards Voukourestiou and up to Kolonaki. On Milioni, also in Kolonaki area, take a look at Natura, which stocks wonderful cotton robes, pillows, bathroom decoration pieces, as well as Annick Goutal perfumes. Carouzos, for men’s and women’s clothes, on Patriarchos Joachim just up from Kolonaki Square, stocks the international faves of Prada, John Varvatos, Catherine Malandrina, Proenza Schouler, Edun, Tse Say, Alpha Industries, and Miele by Carlos Miele (and much more). Ginestra, for women’s clothes, at the beginning of Joachim just before Caruso. Theory, on Patriarchou Joachim, for simple, elegant outfits. Mageia (Magic) - Ileana Makri Jewellery & Mageia Tee Ileana Makri has made a name for herself in Greece and abroad selling jewellery to stars such as Uma Thurman and yet she still mantains her small Kolonaki store of many years history. Unique pieces with precious and semi-precious stones that have made her a must for well-informed shoppers (also available at Barneys in the US). Her expert eye and taste has sourced the latest accessories, to accompany the jewellery in her store. Opposite the jewellery shop and on the same street you will find ‘Mageia’s’ baby – ‘Mageia Tee’; a gem of a store it stocks the latest of the most beautiful and comfortable t-shirts and casual tops.
Mageia
Jewellery: 18 Haritos street, Kolonaki Soho-Soho For those who know their boutiques and are tired of the big, much-copied labels, Soho-Soho is THE place to shop. Stocking the “must-have items” of each season from up-and-coming as well as established designers, all seen in high-fashion magazines and first line boutiques around the world, in Soho-Soho you will find everything from a great pair of jeans to a fantastic party dress and the right shoes to wear them with! Outlets on Kolokotroni street, Kifissia and Kyprou street, Glyfada and Matogianni street, Mykonos Nine Below For those looking for a “neater”, less BoHo, yet more quirky French or Scandinavian look, this is the place to check out. Tailored jackets and frilly tops and some amazing shoes, definitely worth a visit for its affordable prices alone. Located on Tsakalof street, Kolonaki and Kyriazi Street, in Kifissia. Or check out Ermou street, just off Syndagma Square running right down to Monastiraki and Plaka. Think Oxford St London, but Athens-style. Here’s the place for the better-known labels like Zara, Mango, LaCoste, Esprit, or to stock up on cosmetic goodies at Hondos Centre (good prices) or Sephora (as in the one from Paris). Also check out Pull & Bear, and Lussile. (And if you happen to find yourself in Thessaloniki, check out Alina & Mike, for colourful, humourous clothes.) Shops in August in Athens have great sales on, so between islands and airports, check out some great bargains for next summer’s Greek odyssey! Though beware – some are closed for the whole of August, and shopping hours are (to a western eye) eccentric. Jewellery In Athens, you are spoilt for (very high class) choice. Lalaounis and Zolotas – the two Tiffany’s of Greece are surprisingly little known outside the country, for great design, often on an ancient Greek theme, and superb presentation, in both gold and silver. Located almost side by side, on the corner of Panepistimiou Avenue and Voukourestiou St. Tel +30 103 611 371. Lalaounis also has outlets in Kifissia (Athens), Mykonos, Rhodes, Corfu as well as outside Greece. Fanourakis – for original gold masterpieces by Athenian artists who use gold almost like a fabric - creasing, scoring, and fluting it. Check out the (2007) woven gold cuffs with diamonds discreetly (but visibly) hanging from them. On the corner of Loukianou and Patriarchos Joakim in Kolonaki. Patriarchou Ioakeim 23, Athens. Tel. 210/721-1762. Other locations: Evangelistrias 2, Mitropolis, Tel: 210/324-6642. Panagitsas 6, Kifissia, Tel: 210/623-2334.
Be kind to your feet and join the list of the Celebs, before you wander round the Athenian antiquities – stop off at
The shop of The Poet has attracted some of the biggest names in art and culture of the last half century including the Beatles, Sophia Loren, Rudolph Nureyev, Margo Fontaine, Jackie Onassis, Anthony Quinn, George Pappard, Ursula Andress, Joseph Cotten and Gary Cooper who have all worn Poet sandals. To find it, just cross the square in front of the metro station and walk towards the intersection of Athinas Street and Ermou. Take a left on Ermou and walk two blocks and go right on Ag Theklas Street and he is at #2. Suitably enough, this is actually the poet Byron's old neighborhood. http://www.athensguide.com/poet.html
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