Fashion designer Caroline Argirokastritis

Designer Caroline Argirokastritis is so dedicated to her craft that she wears a spool of thread as a necklace. Maybe it’s the fact that at a moment’s notice, she wants to be ready or maybe it’s the fact that this Greece-born designer’s true passion for fashion happened at the ripe realization of just 16 when she formed the Caroline Hellas clothing line.

“I love the way fashion makes people feel and how it expresses the figure and body,” says the now 19-year-old from Shelby Township. “If someone understands how to work with fabrics, styles and the way things look on the body -- that’s what makes someone fashionable.”

So with the help of her family, Caroline pushed her traditions and fashion sense into design classes at Wayne State University (and, hopefully, soon F.I.T in NYC), tailoring and pumping out clothes, which can now be found on carolinehellas.com.

“I wanted to see how far I could go,” Argirokastritis says. “When I was 16, I was artsy, creative, and liked color and unique things. I feel over three years, now, my styles are sophisticated and sexy, but still with a unique look.”

What’s it like being a young designer? Do you feel pressured?
There’s competition, but it’s fun and you look past that if you enjoy and love what you’re doing.

So what makes your fashions new and fresh; what inspires you?
They’re very one-of-a-kind, unique and they standout. I like to make one piece that’s forever in style, not necessarily trendy, but something that will last forever. Last collection I did a lot of drapey Grecian inspired dresses, so European styles inspire me. I like to travel to get new ideas, but make it my own.  

Who’s your favorite big-time designer and why?
Guy Laroche. He’s from Paris and his couture clothing focuses on the back of pieces. I’m passionate about the back of the body because it’s very sexy.

What’s the worst thing you’ve ever had to use to design something with?
Leather is pretty difficult to work with, it’s not the worse, but I don’t use it very often. It’s also difficult to work with non-quality material.

What would your style be and who’s your clientele?
Sophisticated and fun, but at the same time the only one of its kind. My clientele is anywhere from 16 to 35 year olds and they’re looking for a piece they’ll never see at a store. I love to work with clients that want to be the only one to have it and, I never repeat patterns.  

When can we see your next work then? What’s next?
I’m coming out with my new line in September -- my fall collection – and people can expect a more sophisticated and very chic line, mostly dresses, but it’s tough to tell you without giving it away.

How about after that? Let’s say 10 years from now?
Gosh, that’s a tough question; that’s a tough question for anyone to answer, but I plan to have my own boutique, maybe even over seas. I’d like to be comfortably successful in that time. I also love runway shows, it’s a nice way of showing-off a new collection. I don’t have any planned, yet, but keep your eyes open.

For more information on Caroline Argirolastritis and her works please visit www.carolinehellas.com.