We had our sights set on Hydra island when we first envisioned the Aegean Summer collection. Hydra has a nostalgic flair of a bygone era and an energy that simply needs to be experienced firsthand. Sure, it's conveniently located near Athens, where we're based out of but the lack of cars blanket the beautiful island with a peace and quiet that one imagines in a different time. Another world entirely, Hydra immediately disconnects you from the chaos of city life. We wanted to capture that vibe for our collection. One of simpler times, of breaking bread with family and friends around a table; evening dinners alfresco with fresh fish of the day and views of the sun setting over the Aegean.

The port of Hydra is one of the prettiest we’ve seen. Quaint and small and yet somehow manages to lack nothing at all. The clock tower sits tall and acts as a gathering place for locals and tourists alike; while jabber of foreign tongues, orders of ice cold freddo cappuccino, a Greek, Summer staple, buzz in the cafes.

When I first saw Villa Francesca, I immediately knew it would be the perfect backdrop to showcase our Aegean Summer collection. The overflowing bougainvillea and wisteria, stone floors and original Hydriot architecture, the sea view, Villa Francesca is an absolute dream. Such a dream in fact, that we were willing to overlook the fact that our only mode of transportation was 2 mules. And so we packed 6 suitcases with our mostly fragile products, picked up fresh fruit and veggies from the market (which we later fed to said mules), bread freshly baked that morning in the shape of a seashell and some local pastries from Flora's and finally headed up the island's coast to Kamini.

We had precisely 8 hours to capture the sunlight and our pieces before the Summer guests would arrive early the next day. Nopi, the housekeeper kept us company, snapping a few photos of our table scape and whipping up delicious Greek coffee for our photos, which we later enjoyed together. We did not stop all day sans a brief 15 minute break to refuel on none other than Jose Gourmet sardines in olive oil. They're delicious, we promise you'll love them. No corner or crevice of Villa Francesca was left unused. Nicoletta, our amazing photographer, managed to capture 144 beautiful photos on film that truly transport. We hope you love them and feel like you were there with us.

“We wanted to capture that vibe for our collection. One of simpler times, of breaking bread with family and friends around a table; evening dinners alfresco with fresh fish of the day and views of the sun setting over the Aegean".

Truly surprised by what we were able to accomplish, we celebrated at Il Casta with some of the best Italian on this side of the Adriatic. Highly recommend. Hydra island is small. So small in fact, you start to see the same faces – wandering through Hydra harbor, at dinner and at Hydra’s beaches, or even out for an evening stroll. The rest of the weekend, we slowed down enough to enjoy the island before we had to return to reality.