Sofia Balanou
This young, talented, educated, well-spoken, and warm artisan
could have earned herself millions by now, but instead,
after 4 years, Sofia Balanou has remained modest and unaffected
by the amazing popularity she has gained for her eye catching
pillow cases. Turning her back on the rigorous and competitive
world of high fashion and graphic design, Sofia left behind
her successful careers to focus on her pillows and maintain
her life's balance. She now spends her summers working from
her charming home along the Caldera in Oia, Santorini.
Surrounded by inspiration, an incredible view, and her
playful cats, Sofia naively sews and paints each pillow
by hand. Sofia's mother, Ellie Solomonidou Balanou, a famous
Greek sketch artist for local newpapers, also collaborates
with Sofia to add her dramatic touch on a signature line
pillows illustrated with painted eyes. Still, Sofia maintains
her own personality and style in each design, creating something
unique and expressive every time. Her designs have been
sold in selected shops on the island and in the famous Perivolas
Hotel in Oia, but because Sofia resists the offers to mass-produce
her work, these precious pillows remain quite hard to come
by! Fortunately, Sofia is efficient with the computer and
internet, fluent in English, and is open to personal and
wholesale orders in small amounts. You may also have the
pleasure of visiting her for yourself in Santorini while
you are in Greece. You can reach her for an appointment
via phone or email. If you are fortunate, you may even get
a sample of her expert belly dancing!
I have searched off and on to find Sofia Balanou for 3
years and finally I have achieved success! It is my pleasure
to introduce her to the rest of the world this shopping
guide and I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity
to get your hands on these cozy masterpieces!
