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MARIQUITA ELEGANT YARNS BY Evi Karampela

Mariquita was born through founder Karabela Evi’s love for creation and the art of knitting. The brand’s name means cowslip and is a symbol of good luck and love. Evi’s constant thought and inexhaustible drive to create unique knits – inspired by colors, texture, and design – motivated her to create an atelier that’s both special and warm. At its core, the label strives to create the most considered, unique, and carefully knitted garments on the market.

"Inspiration comes from everything you look at around you, from morning to night. You can even focus on a very beautiful flower with impressive colors and even on a futuristic armchair that inspires you with its shape and color. You can be inspired by different objects that are completely different from the garment and envision a knitted shape, specific color or colors combination. For example, shoes from a famous designer, bags, a bottle of perfume, as well. Even the perfume can inspire you to capture more romantic knitwear or one with a more rock style."

Evi Karampela, MARIQUITA ELEGANT YARNS

Mini Interview with Evi Karampela

Tell us where did you find your love for knitwear, how and when it started? 
Ever since I remember myself, around 4-5 years old, my mother was often in the chair knitting. She got ideas from magazines, where she liked the designs. The yarns, which were soft of very good quality with very beautiful colors, were chosen by my mother and me from a store in Athens. I always remembered her knitting for me and my sister. When I realized that there is a way to make and embroider my clothes, I considered it a very nice and creative occupation. Although I liked the painting and the design, I was always thinking about how to make my clothes. So, this image was imprinted on me and growing up I slowly started to realize it. I chose my threads, made my designs by painting them, until I created my collection of knitted clothes, from a young age.

Where do you find inspiration for your beautiful knitwear?
Inspiration comes from everything you look at around you, from morning to night. You can even focus on a very beautiful flower with impressive colors and even on a futuristic armchair that inspires you with its shape and color. You can be inspired by different objects that are completely different from the garment and envision a knitted shape, specific color or colors combination. For example, shoes from a famous designer, bags, a bottle of perfume, as well. Even the perfume can inspire you to capture more romantic knitwear or one with a more rock style.

Vintage or new?
The new is what fascinates me. I believe that the new can have elements of the old so it can combine both. They are always connected, they are the succession of one and the other, so I am a person who does not go back to the objects. Generally in life, I go forward but always by the past's experience. The same goes for objects and knitwear, because the new can be made like the old one but it will have a new breath. So, they have the same philosophy with life.

Black or white?
Between the 2 colors, I choose white. It is purity, clarity, the light that diffuses and it is the combination of all world’s colors, as well. White includes all the colors, so for me between white and black, I prefer this one.

What song can you listen to on repeat?
My favorite song, that I can listen to on repeat without getting bored, is My way by Frank Sinatra. It has life messages and meanings that express me, it is very melodic and Frank sings amazingly, as well. In general, my musical choices are from songs from the past, as I consider that famous classical songs are timeless and unsurpassed, which are easily listened to by the new generations.

What makes you smile the most?
What makes me smile the most, is when I face and talk to a happy and positive person because I believe that his/her psychology and mood, with his/her smile are transferred to me. So, it is really important for me and spontaneous. In addition, something more that makes me smile is some beautiful thoughts and memories with my family. 

How would you describe your artistic style?
I could say that the style of the clothes I create has comfort and unsurpassed elegance. They are timeless pieces for all ages. Their qualities create the feeling that you want to touch them, acquire, embrace and caress them. At the same time, they are knitwear that can be worn at night, depending on the style that will be combined and they can create a more romantic or rock style.