Ileana Makri launched her eponymous brand in 1998 and has since gained international recognition for her innovative designs. Although she is a globetrotter at heart, Ileana Makri, was born in Greece and still resides there. She travels extensively for design inspiration, and shares her time between Greece, India, London, Paris and New York, allowing her to embrace and celebrate different cultures and landscapes within her craft. Her fascination with gemstones began during her childhood and in 1996 she made a pivotal decision to follow this passion, enrolling in jewellery design studies at the Gemological Institute of America in Santa Monica. This transformative step marked the inception of her remarkable journey in the fine jewellery space as an innovator who believes in creating freedom through education.

Ileana Makri’s Fine Jewelry is skillfully produced in Greece, in collaboration with some of the nation’s finest artisans. For every piece, she journeys far and wide to source only the most exquisite gems. Additionally, her Athens Atelier now contains her own workshop, where she can oversee every piece to the last detail.

“A major factor in jewelry making is collaborating closely with the artisans who craft it, as this connection is crucial for producing exquisite pieces.”

A significant amount of manual labour is employed in the crafting of each piece, giving it a detailed, meticulous look. In her travels, she seeks to uncover the distinct craftsmanship and methods of each region. Among her favourite areas to collaborate with native artisans is India, where she has recently begun to create select collections in conjunction with the local talent she celebrates.

From an early age, she has found working with her hands to be a calming and meditative practice. It was during the Covid pandemic that she turned to beading, leading to the creation of her Globetrotter Collection.