Before the Greeks, there were the Minoans, passing their days on the sunny isles of the Aegean. The Minoans liked bright colors, and their dress was vividly decorated. And though garments were few, they were designed to accentuate the human figure, both male and female.

The start of Greek culture, referred to as the “Archaic” period, was a time of extensive trade between civilizations of Greece, Anatolia, and North Africa as far as Libya. Commerce enabled the free flow of cultural and artistic ideas between societies. Linen and wool, the preferred clothing materials of warmer Egypt and colder Anatolia, arrived in Greece. And although dress styles were simple, knowledge of textile manufacture was growing.

When the “classical” age came about, the Greeks were dressed in drape. Large fabric pieces were wrapped, tied, and pinned in various ways according to the individual preferences of the wearer. Certain arrangements were more common, with pleating and folding particular popular. Most popular was the chiton, a draped clot, sewn at one side, and made of linen, cotton, silk, or wool. Fastened at the shoulder with a buckle or clasp, men wore a length that dropped to the knees, while women dress hung longer to the ankles.

Other popular styles included the tunic, the himation and the peplos. Full length, folded at the top, and pinned at the shoulder, the peplos was worn by women and belted high above the waist under the breast. Tunics, brightly dyed of bleached white, were worn by men, and typically decorated at the hemline to signify one’s home town.

Greek pottery is a first source for ancient Greek fashion, but pottery designs were simplified.  Color motifs in ceramic painting were used purposefully to affect a specific design.  Greek temples are known not to have been the stark white structures they are today, after several thousand years of wear and weather.  In fact, Greek temples were painted, and Greek clothing too may have held considerable color.  Very likely, dress decoration featured designs favored in other ancient Greeks art forms – the meandros (greek key), the honeysuckle flowers, circles, spirals, and stripes.

Modern Greek fashion, although not nearly as prominent French, Italian, or American fashion, still has its stars. With a trademark style that borrows heavily from the past glories of her homeland, Sofia Kokosalaki, born and raised in Athens and based in London, is fast gaining recognition in the UK. Kokosalaki’s flowing frocks feature classical Grecian draping, accented with handcrafted design elements for a sharp blend of tradition and modernity.

By comparison, Dimitris Alexakis and Grigoris Triantaphilou, who in 1992 created the label, Deux Hommes, began with a line of women's sportswear, but have since re-invented themselves as a modern fashion house. Characterized by severe minimalism, Deux Hommes designs convey an ironic blend of Puritanism and avant garde.

Although still far from the major catwalks of Paris and New York, Greek designers are poised to make a mark in the fashion world. Set upon designing as they please, Greek fashionistas and commitment to innovative design are finding success in the style world.