Don't Miss

Fine Jewelry Designer Elena Syraka’s American Debut at the “Hellenis” in New York

By NEO Magazine on April 16, 2014

Amalia Kosmetatos, Chryssanthos Panas, Elena Syraka, PHOTO: WENDY PLOGER

More than 300 people in New York City came out to see Elena Syraka on March 25th as she made her debut American appearance with her latest exhibition, “Nour.” Following successful tours in Athens, Cairo and Alexandria, the “Nour” exhibition is the first retrospective of Syraka’s work in North America and it took place at the “Hellenis” jewelry store within the Olympic Tower, 645 Fifth Avenue.

Anne McCabe, PHOTO: WENDY PLOGER

From New York’s elite press and style ambassadors to some of Greece’s biggest influencers, Syraka’s 45-piece collection was exposed to the best of the best.

Mara Karetsos with the designer, PHOTO: WENDY PLOGER

The event followed Syraka’s first press tour of New York’s top media including Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Town & Country and others. A common theme from the New York tastemakers referred to Syraka’s work as, “Unique, authentic, global, reflecting the past yet still on trend.”

From left, Hara & Mike Bosch with Elena Syraka, PHOTO: WENDY PLOGER

Her handmade pieces, which were inspired by Islamic art and after studying the genre for six months at the Benaki Museum in Athens, give a nod to the evolution of Islamic civilization up to the 19th century, Syraka mimics its rich history through her remarkable designs and craftsmanship blending influences of the traditional East with the contemporary West.

Eleni Kokalis, Elena Syraka, Suzane Goodfiled, PHOTO: WENDY PLOGER

As an already acclaimed designer for her cultural diversity in museum quality designs, aesthetics, and one-of-a-kind creations, Athens-born Syraka is already aiming high toward the ranks of chartered, transcendent jewelers of this century. Her designs reflect a sense of aristocracy paired with timeless minimalism. With her intricate use of precious stones, 18-carat gold and diamonds combined with her bold and fearless styles, Syraka takes the bearer on a magical journey of the past while igniting a light into the future.