Athens-born designer Maria Glezelli has a keen eye and passion for painting and crafting, getting inspiration from the unravelling panorama of the Athenian history where she grew up. Her creative journey and exploration leads her to acquire a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and Art Sciences at the University of Fine Arts in Ioannina, Greece, where she consolidates her values and sets the basis for her cultural growth. Fueling her love for ancestral craftsmanship, Maria continues her studies specialising in jewelry design and metalsmithing, developing her unique artist’s identity. 

She uses wire and traditional metalworking techniques to construct her designs. Endless hours of knitting, result in a vast portfolio that bridges fine art and jewelry design. Soon, her projects catch public attention and the brand Algo Elegante is born. Drawing inspiration from mythology and the natural cosmos, she designs her first collections and undertakes several bespoke commissions. She travels as far as Santorini in the Aegean and as wide as Los Angeles, California to showcase her work and catch up with the latest trends in luxury design. In Los Angeles, she participates in the prestigious international exhibition “Wearable Expressions” at the Palos Verdes Art Center where she develops a collection of wearable pieces and ensembles influenced by the 19th century, reviving the Victorian era. 

She moves to London and starts working at Tiffany’s, a renowned company in jewelry design, specialised in gemstones and manufacturing. On the parallel, she gains valuable work experience in environments as diverse as London Fashion Week, the Selfridges and local designer fairs in east London. A habitué of Victoria & Albert Museum and Tate Gallery, as well as a frequent traveler to Tuscany, Italy, Maria never stops refreshing her points of reference on visual culture Committed to preserving tradition, Maria combines age-old techniques with innovative designs. 

Each piece of jewelry is crafted entirely by hand with precision, artistry and distinctive craftsmanship without the use of any machinery. In this episode we discuss, Maria's creative journey through jewelry making, why female identity is always her point of reference, Maria's participation in the Prestigious International Exhibition in Los Angeles & her most recent work The Bonds of Love Collection.  

Instagram: @Maria.Glezelli  Website: www.mariaglezelli.com