Influencer Sophia Hadjipanteli this week shone a light on an upcoming Cyprus fashion designer who re-uses pieces to underline sustainability

Surrounded by piles of second-hand clothes, Cypriot fashion designer Anna Michaelidou breathes new life into them as she focuses on sustainability in an industry known for excess and waste.

And last week well-known Cypriot influencer Sophia Hadjipanteli gave a boost to her brand – Yiavri Mou (My Small One) – by wearing one of its skirts for an appearance in London.

The influencer, famous for her innovative thinking and fashion choices, wore a one-of-a-kind skirt made from old jeans.

“I am thrilled to see Sophia Hadjipanteli wearing one of my designs,” Anna said. “This skirt represents my design philosophy and highlights the beauty and potential of upcycling. It is an honour to share a piece of Cypriot fashion with the world.”

The designer collected leftover material from her grandfather’s sewing studio as well as old clothes, particularly denim, from friends and family who no longer wanted them. She now uses this material to create patchwork designs.

“For the skirt, I took various pieces of old denim and began draping them around a mannequin, experimenting with different placements until I found the right composition for each piece,” she added.

Sophia Hadjipanteli at an event in one of her skirts

The skirt was designed specifically for the Cyprus Fashion film festival held earlier this year, which included a Fashion Heritage Network Cyprus fashion show, a network of which Anna is part.

The skirt worn by Hadjipanteli reflects Michaelidou’s innovative approach not only to design but also to the sustainability of her brand. Yiavri Mou has gained recognition for transforming second-hand clothing into high-fashion garments.

Anna has a vision for second-hand garments and deadstock fabrics and transforms them, giving them a second chance to be worn by fashion enthusiasts all over the world.

‘‘Sustainability is at the core of my brand,” Anna told the Cyprus Mail. “I believe in creating fashion that not only looks good but is also good for the planet. This commitment to sustainability drives every decision I make in my design process.”

By designing clothes using preloved or excess fabric, Anna goes against fast fashion, creating a brand with clothes designed in an organic and environmentally-friendly way, unlike many big brands that use greenwashing instead.

‘‘The journey of my brand began with a deep appreciation for handmade items and Cypriot traditions inspired by my grandfather, an 89-year-old tailor in old Nicosia. I started by creating a collection made from second-hand shirts printed with photographs of my grandfather’s hands,” Anna said.

Anna’s grandfather’s hands are seen
on one of her new designs

Her new collection is inspired by her family as well, and includes photographs of her grandfather’s hands sewing clothes as well pictures of her mother crocheting.

Her work resembles a new way of thinking, combining awareness for climate change with fashion design.

Anna previously worked in sustainable fashion as an intern at Ronald Van Der Kemp, known for its sustainability and turning unwanted materials into high-fashion garments.

As a member of the Cyprus Fashion Heritage Network, she is dedicated to preserving and promoting Cypriot traditions while pushing the boundaries of sustainable fashion.

It is not the first time Hadjipanteli has chosen to bring Cyprus fashion to an international audience. Earlier this year the model also wore a dress by another sustainable Cypriot designer Michalis Pantelidis.

She is also is known for her beauty revolutions as she continues to normalise what society pressures people to hide.