Considering its size, the dazzling Greek island of Paros certainly packs a punch when it comes to style. Shopping in Paros is a long, leisurely process, undertaken by fashionistas and fans of local craft on breezy early evenings, following days lounging on picturesque beaches and feasting in charming restaurants. There's something new at every turn, from family-run stores selling organic fare to design-led concept stores selling eye-catching wares. These are the addresses to know on the island this summer.
Leather bound
No trip to a Greek island is complete without buying a pair of traditional tan leather sandals. Nearly a century old, the family-run Atelier 1935 is the real deal: its tiny corner store in Parikia stocks classic styles for men and women. Look out for the sleek, naturally tanned Olympe unisex sandals or the strappy women’s Paros style in hand-shined chocolate leather. Also in Parikia is Egg, which specialises in the softest leather bags and purses in every colour, all handmade in Thessaloniki.
Pottering around
New York-based fashion photographer Todd Marshard swapped his camera for a potter’s wheel, at first making ceramics for Donna Karan’s stores. Four years ago, he moved to Paros and opened his gallery-like shop, Marshard, in the lovely whitewashed village of Lefkes. Every morning, he works from a little in-store studio, where he hand builds organic forms and throws stoneware vessels on his wheel. Towards the back of the space, his black-framed monochrome portraits and seascape photographs line the walls.
Global fashion
Delicate roses painted around the door are the only clue that you’ve arrived at boutique La Vie en Rose in Naoussa. It has a gorgeous edit of womenswear: block print dresses by Milan’s Lisa Corti; striped silk shirts by Indian-influenced Nimo With Love and, best of all, witty, fun pieces, such as seascape-printed blouses, by Greek label Karavan. In Parikia, Lebanese-born designer and owner of Casa Alma, Rania Choueiri, sells her own collection of colour-block dresses, sandals and leather bags alongside French labels such as Celeste (T-shirts, kaftans), made-in-Greece Sorbet Island swimwear and African-print purses. For the home, there are pretty linen napkins and stoneware ceramics by Diane Alexandre.
All that glitters
In 2015 Greek goldsmith Xenia Nefelly Vlachou won a contest run by the National Archaeological Museum of Athens for her gold-plated and marble collection inspired by ancient Greece. The same year, she opened Alénia in Naoussa with her husband Alexandros, which stocks work by other jewellers, too. Doric columns and Greek sculpture are the inspiration behind Immortelle, the latest collection by contemporary fine jeweller Yannis Sergakis, whose chunky chain necklaces and large yellow-gold studs are displayed alongside his signature diamonds with a black rhodium finish. At Artisun’s flagship boutique, colour-themed displays of jewellery are rooted in the sunburst motif, as seen on gold-plated hoops woven with charms and thread, and a modern take on the Greek evil eye.
Young fun
Look out for the word “yippee” spelt out in tiles on the wall outside Naoussa childrenswear shop Yiouni, which is just past Santé café and cocktail bar. Clothes are arranged by age – under six on the left, six to 14 on the right – and the majority are by Greek designers, including embroidered pink jumpsuits by Melin Rose, UV-protected and quick-dry swimwear in funky prints (Lego, cars, crocodiles) by Tortue and leather sandals by Glaritis.
Cool concepts
Housed in a former garage, Naoussa’s All We See Is the Sea is the vision of artist Christianna Economou. Eight years ago, she was restoring boats and decorating them with seafaring slogans when a friend had the idea of printing nautical sayings on T-shirts, too. Now, she sells everything from painterly ceramics and artwork to hoodies adorned with phrases such as “stay salty” and “sealovers”. A mini gallery of plates hangs on one wall; wooden boat-name signs and lifebuoys are on another. Stop by Hotel Cosme for Andria Mitsakos’s concept store, Anthologist, which is next to the reception. During the pandemic she commissioned a Cretan ceramist to make pieces based on 20th-century pitchers, and a seamstress to turn her Greek textiles into wall hangings; soon friends were placing orders and a business was born. Highlights include upcycled Greek tagari shepherd bags, pillows hand-embroidered by the Pakistani Kalash tribe and brass bookmarks made in a centuries-old Athens foundry.
Farm to table
On the outskirts of Naoussa, Petra Farm grows all kinds of native crops, from olives to oregano. For those who don’t fancy a farm tour and tasting, there is a shop in town that sells edible souvenirs, including nettle tea, organic fig jam, dried rosemary and extra virgin oil. A wider selection of Greek products, as well as local craft beers from 56 Isles microbrewery, ouzo and bottles of red and white from Moraitis Winery, line the shelves at the Aganta delicatessen a few streets away.
Thoughtful threads
As implied by its name, Heel (Hellenic Ethical Eco Lab) is an environmentally conscious label based in Naoussa. All garments are made from natural materials with minimum waste, and are designed with timeless style and longevity in mind. Casual streetwear in an earthy palette – slouchy tunic dresses, drawstring cargo pants, patchwork blouses – hangs on tree trunk rails suspended from the ceiling.
Swiss Vietnamese designer Hin Phu Tran is behind the Leto fashion label (named after the Greek goddess), with boutiques in Naoussa and Parikia. The look is grown-up casual tailoring – pinstripe granddad shirts and navy block print trousers, floaty handkerchief skirts and white cotton dresses – made in small batches to minimise deadstock. heelshop.gr; letoparos.com
Where to stay
Brilliantly located a 10-minute walk along the coast from Naoussa, Cosme has a laid-back beach club vibe. All 40 suites come with a balcony or patio; the best face the ocean or have a plunge pool. A glam crowd collapses on double daybeds by the half-moon-shaped infinity pool before heading to dinner at beachfront Parostià. The food – Josper-grilled octopus with caper dressing and traditional honey cheesecake – fuses Greek and Mediterranean flavours. There is also a circular stone spa with a stargazing platform on the roof.
Insider intel: Paros picks from artist Angelika Vaxevanidou
“Glyko Lemoni in Kostos village is a family-run Greek tavern. Its Cycladic salad – fresh and sun-dried tomatoes, samphire, capers and soft sour cheese – is the best on Paros.”
“Meli Cream in Lefkes does excellent handmade ice cream, baklava and desserts. Try a pistachio and salted caramel mixed cone.”
“RetroGreco in Parikia is one of the oldest souvenir shops on the island. It sells Greek-made vintage clothes and textiles dating back to the 1960s.”
“Halfway up the dirt road in the picturesque valley of Afkoulaki is the beautiful church of Saint Arsenios and a shady freshwater spring with stunning views.” angelikavaxevanidou