Spotlight on: Kooreloo

Crafted from forgotten fabric.

These days, it’s hard to find a bag you haven’t seen 1000 times before. It’s either plain black, leather or a combination of both, leaving designers with a mission to create something more personable.

Enter Kooreloo, a fusion of traditional Greek construction and sophisticated modern styles. Each bag is different from the last as they are made out of ‘kourelou’ – traditional woven rugs crafted from forgotten fabrics in Grecian homes. The material is used to create rich, textural pieces, interwoven with spontaneous splashes of colour.

Artist and designer Lila Karagianni began Kooreloo just three short years ago and has since expanded her business exponentially. The label now has a presence across 27 countries with the latest acquisitions being Australia and New Zealand (thank gahd).

Kooreloo bags come in an array of styles including chain bags, clutches, bucket bags and backpacks, which makes for entirely wearable pieces. Bags can even verge on the side of simplistic, with a monochromatic palette and conservative additions of metal coins and chain straps. For those a little more daring, many woven styles are available in multicoloured fabrics, paired with varying textures and tassels.

For an added point of difference, each bag opens to reveal an artistic image of the Goddess Athena, hand-painted by Karagianni herself. How’s that for one of a kind?

Head here to check out the range.

kooreloo.com.au