When I learn about ethical fashion...
Ethical Fashion
I hear the term "ethical fashion" and for the first time I start looking into it. I learn that fashion isn't a very innocent industry after all and I'm shocked. I search for ethical brands, about the negative impact of fast fashion, about sustainability, about indie brands and I decide that I prefer this aspect of fashion.
When I decide to launch a jewellery brand...
And the product is...jewellery?
I had been trying for approximately 2 years to start a cosmetics brand but something was holding me back. Now, that some years have passed, I understand that I was feeling insecure because I hadn't found a trustworthy chemist and, back then, so many new cosmetic brands were launched, most of them by celebrities. I felt that the cosmetics industry had become way more competitive that I had in mind and I trusted my instinct to let this idea go. So, I focused on the only product that I loved purchasing, jewellery. That's how the journey of Arianotte begun.
When I couldn't find suppliers...
Going into the unknown
Due to covid and the quarantine, I couldn't find suppliers. But the truth is that I didn't know what I was searching for. How could I combine sustainability with jewellery or most importantly which materials are sustainable? Where I could find the right partners? So, given the fact that I couldn't do much about my samples, I decided to prioritize the design of the jewellery and the research of the right materials. Then, I learnt exactly what I should expect from my suppliers.
When I get rejected for the first time...
The first disappointment and mansplanning...
My first thought was "Jewellery made in Greece". So, I decided to make some calls and to find my supplier. Guess what? I was very disappointed. Why? --> "My little girl, who told you that you can recycle silver and you listen to them" and them he starts laughing in a mocking way. Thats was actually part of a professional conversation between adults... Nobody listened to me but the worst part was the way some of them turned me down. So, I decided to focus on suppliers from abroad.
My first supplier and Plan B
I find my first supplier in Asia who guarantees good working environment, fair wages and recycled sterling silver. After a few months I receive the first samples and I'm so excited! Actually, I was so excited until I saw the samples. The quality was the worst. Some of them fell apart when I touched them. Then, I felt lost because this was, at the moment, the only supplier who had some of the standards I had set for my sustainable brand and from the moment I saw the samples, I knew I couldn't trust them anymore so I went to plan B. I started learning how to make jewellery myself and I have to say that I enjoy making jewellery. I loved sitting for hours in front of my bench and making jewellery while listening to music. But, in reality, I couldn't do that. I work full-time in the family business, in an industry that I adore and it's one thing to run two businesses and another to run two businesses while in the same time making the merchandise.
When I get a chance to show my idea...
Fashion For Change
The Fashion for Change is a project that aims to improve the environmental and social impact of the European fashion SMEs. I felt like this was the boost I needed to finally launch the brand so I did everything I could to explain my vision to these people in order to get selected. Well, I wasn't selected and after the first disappointment, I understood why. 1. Arianotte (then Leonids Rain) was the only brand that had to do with jewellery. One of the rules of this program was the collaboration between businesses and I needed sustainable materials that none of the business could provide. 2. I basically told them "I don't have a background, I don't have the materials that I need yet, I haven't launched my brand yet, I don't have any samples to show you but I have this idea". I wouldn't trust me either...
When I found a second supplier and I decided how to name my brand...
Leonids Rain
So, I'm Greek and I love the Greek Language but I couldn't find a nice Greek word that wasn't already taken. So, I went with Leonids Rain because I love Leonids and the rain of the stars that makes the whole sky shiny. In the meantime, I found my second supplier, again from Asia. Sustainable materials, good working environment, people who could understand me. After a few months, they sent me the samples and again I was so excited! Actually, I was so excited until I learnt the courier's system had been hacked and the couldn't give me an update about the customs and the estimated time of delivery. More than 1 month passed and still nothing. Then I'm informed that the packaging with the samples has to return back in Asia, I have to pay double customs fee and my supplier has to wait until he receives it in order to send it once again in Greece. After paying again the shipping and the custom fees, I finally receive the samples and they are much better than the first one but still not perfect. And then, I learn that I may have a problem with the shipping every time I place an order to my supplier...
And her name is... Arianotte
After all these disappointments, I didn't know what to do. So, I took a big break from my project so I can focus on the family business. My work can be very stressful so the only thing that can calm me down is the walking at night while listening to music. One night that I was walking while listening to one of my favourite arias, the "Un bel di vedremo" from Puccini's Madame Butterfly, I made up this word, Arianotte. Aria from an Opera Aria and Notte which is the Italian word for night. I don't know why I thought these words as one but the moment I made up this word, I knew that this is the name of my brand. Then, the phoenix, my favourite mythical creature came in mind and I knew that my instinct was telling me to not give up my goal yet.
Getting it right the second time
Long story short after many unsuccessful appointments with some suppliers, I was roaming around and I decided to call my dad to let him know that maybe this wouldn't work. Once I hang up the phone, before I got up from the bench, I noticed a sign about a jewellery workshop. I decided to ask for more information because, honestly, at that moment, I had nothing to lose and that's how I met my suppliers!!!
I hate Bureaucracy
At the beginning of 2024, I finally had my 1st collection, my website and social media were almost ready and I was ready to launch Arinotte. But, sometimes luck isn't on your side and due to bureaucracy, I had to wait. Then the summer season came and I was working non-stop until, everything fell in place and Arianotte was finally launched. If you managed to read our whole story, I would like to congratulate you! I didn't know what to add in the About Us page so I just described Arianotte's journey from the beginning till now.
