Alexandra Tsoukala

The Sculptural World of Alexandra Tsoukala — Where Light, Movement & Greek Design Meet

A Journey Into the Artistry of One of Greece’s Most Beloved Contemporary Designers

Greek designer Alexandra Tsoukala has spent more than three decades transforming simple materials into sculptural objects that capture light, movement, and emotion. Based in her Athens studio since 1992, she began her journey creating handmade lighting, furniture, art objects, jewellery, and fashion accessories — each piece shaped by her deep respect for materials and her instinctive, hands-on approach to design.

Today, her work is celebrated globally, with her iconic pleated accessories featured in more than 90 art museum shops around the world. Her aesthetic is instantly recognisable: lightweight pleats, fluid forms, soft shimmer, and a balance of simplicity and sophistication rooted in Greek heritage.

A Philosophy Built on Honesty, Simplicity, and Purpose

For Alexandra, design starts with the material. She never sketches first — she touches, shapes, folds, and constructs directly, allowing each piece to take form naturally. Her guiding principles are clear:

• Materials must remain true to themselves

• Shapes must follow function

• Design must serve a purpose — beautifully and simply

She avoids imitation and decoration for decoration’s sake. No fake pockets. No materials pretending to be something they’re not. No designs created only to look “different.” Instead, she embraces clarity, proportion, and usefulness — echoing the quiet intelligence of ancient Greek craftsmanship.

In her words: “A good design is a balanced combination of many factors — a useful object, a well-proportioned shape, and an honest price.”

The Magic of Pleated Textiles

Alexandra’s most iconic contribution to contemporary design is her use of pleated satin. The material behaves like a living sculpture: flexible, elastic, light-catching, and endlessly expressive. Its interplay of shadow and movement gives her pieces a poetic, almost dance-like quality.

This technique became her signature — first in lighting, then in jewellery, scarves, bags, and accessories. A necklace she originally made for herself became an international success, inspiring a collection now offered in more than 60 colour combinations.

Every piece feels modern yet timeless, minimalist yet full of energy — the perfect expression of Greek elegance.

Colour as Emotion

Alexandra approaches colour with sensitivity and intuition.
In lighting, she always begins with white — the blank canvas — and adds colour only once the shape is final.
In accessories, she plays more freely, inspired by:

• earthy tones of ancient Greek art

• vivid blue-green hues of the Aegean

• bold, surprising colour pairings found by chance on her workbench

Her colours are not trends — they are emotions, memories, and moments translated into design.

A Window Into Endless Creativity

Much of Alexandra’s inspiration comes from the materials she discovers in the markets of Athens. A jersey fabric once reminded her of Martha Graham’s choreography; a plastic stiffener sparked an entirely new form.
Each material becomes a “window” — open one, and it leads to another.

This continuous exploration keeps her work fresh, original, and ever-evolving.

A Global Legacy of Greek Craftsmanship

Under the name minimum design, Alexandra’s studio produces pieces that embody necessity, clarity, and elegance — not as a trend, but as a timeless design truth.

Her work has been recognised internationally, including receiving the Certificate of Excellence at the FORM 2008 competition of the Frankfurt Tendence Exhibition.

Today, her creations continue to inspire collectors, museums, and design lovers worldwide.
Each piece carries the essence of Greek craftsmanship — thoughtful, expressive, innovative, and beautifully made.

Discover Alexandra Tsoukala at Thalassea

At Thalassea, we are honoured to showcase Alexandra Tsoukala’s jewellery and accessories — pieces that embody everything we stand for:

✨ handcrafted Greek design
✨ sustainability and artistry
✨ emotional storytelling
✨ contemporary elegance

Explore the collection and bring home a piece of Greece — crafted with culture, curated with care.