“How I Travel” With Fashion Designer and Artist Jordan Gogos

The designer and artist paints a vibrant picture of Athens, a city that speaks both to his Greek heritage and his refusal to take life too seriously.

What do you love about Athens?

There’s this chaotic energy but I always feel at ease. My designs are all about making people of every shape and size feel comfortable and the city embraces you without question. It’s not a “serious” fashion city; it’s actually kind of punk.

What do you always take on a flight?

I’m obsessed with Greek skincare brand Korres – its Santorini Grape Poreless Skin Cream is beautiful.

If you could only take one pair of shoes, it would be…

My Prada Systeme brushed leather sneakers. I’ve worn them to the Acropolis, in the studio – I’m about to go weld in them right now – and they still look new.

Otherwise, you’re sticking to the essentials?

Yes, so I can buy things there. On my last trip, I scoured every tourist shop for 20-year-old Olympic paraphernalia to incorporate into my designs. But I did pack my favourite runway piece, an incredible Grecian coat I made. It’s so fun.

What about garment care?

Who has time to hang up clothes in a hotel? Not me! I’ve been known to wash pieces in the ocean – they dry in minutes.

Where do you stay?

Mona hotel in Psirri is chic and artsy. It has an artist-in-residence program I would love to get involved in.

Best place for retail therapy?

A bookshop called Hyper Hypo, which has every book or magazine you could possibly imagine in one place. I nearly cried.

And to lose yourself?

The Benaki Museum. It’s four storeys high and one of the most insane places I’ve ever been – they have the best collection of Greek folk-art clothing.