Apriati’s London boutique design is rooted in classical codes
Greek jewellery brand Apriati is dedicated to new architecture but its London boutique revels in the spirit of classicism
Themis Bobolas and Athena Axioti, the husband-and-wife team behind Greek jewellery brand Apriati, have spent almost 20 years developing the silk-wax cord that nonchalantly ensnares their delicate gold and precious stone motifs. The pair have developed their own process to give gold a coppery sheen. The result forms the basis of their fine jewellery pieces, and is used in their signature bracelets.
The precision that underlines Apriati designs is also reflected in the architecture of its London boutique (Apriati’s seventh store, following outposts in Greece, Paris and New York). In Ancient Greek, ‘apriati’ means a yearning for beautiful things, and this was a starting point for the store’s designers, Athens’ Kois Associated Architects. ‘The primary goal of a jewellery store is to create a sense of magic,’ says practice founder Stelios Kois.
‘We imagined a journey that takes you from the street through a fairytale garden to a mystical marble cave at the back of the store.’
Wooden boxes on ‘stems’ house individual pieces of jewellery that together form a ‘ower garden’ visible from the street. Each one slots, Jenga-style, into an oak floor made up of removable pieces, so that the display is wholly changeable. Everything was custom-designed and handmade in Greece and the UK. The interior architecture, with its arches and symmetry, is loosely inspired by the spirit of Greek classicism. ‘Ancient Greek heritage and the simplicity of the Doric order are there in spirit,’ explains Kois. ‘To me, the boutique has more in common with an art installation than a jewellery store
Information
Address
168 Walton Street
SW3 2JL
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Emma O'Kelly is a freelance journalist and author based in London. Her books include Sauna: The Power of Deep Heat and she is currently working on a UK guide to wild saunas, due to be published in 2025.
-
Hanker after a 1970s supercar? The Encor Series 1 elevates the Lotus Esprit to a new levelThis limited-edition remastering of the dramatic wedge-shaped Lotus Esprit stops at nothing to improve and enhance the original without losing sight of its analogue excellence
-
A new photo book takes you behind the scenes of some of cinema's most beloved films, from 'Fargo' to 'Charlie's Angels'Set decorator Lauri Gaffin captures Hollywood's quieter moments in an arresting new book
-
This sculptural London seafood restaurant was shaped by ‘the emotions of the sea’In Hanover Square, Mazarine pairs a bold, pearlescent interior with modern coastal cuisine led by ‘bistronomy’ pioneer chef Thierry Laborde
-
Art takes London: Tiffany & Co, Damien Hirst and artists take over Selfridges' windowsFour British contemporary artists celebrate Tiffany & Co's pioneering history with a series of storied window displays
-
All smiles: How a grillz jewellery making class in London became an international hitWhat started as a passion project quickly exploded in popularity. We get the story behind the grillz-making workshop at Cockpit London
-
Emerging jewellery designers to get to knowThese independent, new and emerging jewellery designers and brands from New York to Paris are firmly on our radar
-
Playing it cool: pearls are having a momentWe've been deep-diving into boutiques around the world to find the very best calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form. It seems jewellers have been busy rethinking pearls, with contemporary (and often affordable) results
-
Eternity rings for the modern coupleEternity rings, whether sleekly minimalist or sprinkled in diamonds, can be a chic and contemporary love token
-
CryptoPunks come to life on Tiffany & Co pendantsTiffany & Co has partnered with blockchain infrastructure company Chain to create custom pendants and NFTiffs
-
Order of the day: Pomellato’s high jewellery takes us from dawn to duskPomellato’s new high jewellery collection, La Gioia, tells the story of a day in precious stones
-
Anklets welded onto the body make romantic and enduring jewellery tokensAtelier VM’s ‘L’Essenziale’ jewellery collection now includes slender gold anklets