Some collaborations feel inevitable—like two creative worlds orbiting each other until the moment they finally align. That’s exactly what happened when Themis Zouganeli, the founder of luxury lifestyle brand THEMIS Z, and Nicky Greig, founder of Collective Africa, decided to join forces. They may come from different design worlds—one rooted in Greek elegance, the other in Africa’s rich artisanal heritage—but their shared love for craftsmanship, storytelling, and effortless luxury made this partnership feel like it was meant to happen.
For Themis, whose signature geometric patterns and clean-lined silhouettes have found their way into Dior Maison and Atelier Swarovski, design is all about evoking a feeling. Whether it’s her hand-painted porcelain plateware or the fluid caftans from her Hydra collection, there’s an undeniable ease to her pieces—luxury that’s meant to be lived in. Meanwhile, Nicky has spent years curating pieces that capture the pulse of Africa. Raised in Johannesburg, where childhood trips meant safaris and exploring the raw beauty of the continent, she’s built Collective Africa into a space where every object has a story.
That synergy comes to life with Collective Essence, a limited-edition drop of porcelain tableware and silk caftans, designed exclusively for Collective Africa, making its debut at Bungalo34, Dubai’s chic seaside retreat. Themis Zouganeli’s signature Greek-inspired geometric patterns collide with the rich craftsmanship and organic warmth of African artistry, resulting in pieces that look just as good on your dinner table as they do in your suitcase.
We caught up with Themis and Nicky to talk about how this collection came together, the creative process behind it, and why the art of living beautifully is all about the little details.
Themis Zouganeli
You launched THEMIS Z in 2019, and in the past few years, it’s become synonymous with Greek elegance. Looking back, what sparked your decision to start the brand, and how has the journey evolved since?
The brand actually started very organically with no master plan – THEMIS Z wasn’t even meant to be a brand, which I think is the beauty of it! I used to be involved in interior design and home decoration in Greece, and one day I decided to make a website to showcase my work. I knew all the best artisans and manufacturers in Greece, so I decided to make a collection of handmade cushions in Athens that reflected my aesthetics – namely an elegant Greek theme without it being tied to folklore. Once the website was up, we went on a trip to Morocco and were inspired by all the beautiful Moroccan motifs to create a collection of handcrafted porcelain plates with Greek inspired patterns. A year later, I was very grateful that while having a pop-up in Gstaad, my work was noticed by Cordelia de Castellane, the Artistic Director of Dior Maison who asked me to design tabletop collections for Dior. After that, the brand flourished. Two years later, THEMIS Z’s Ready to Wear collection was introduced, which embodied a holistic approach to Greek aesthetics.
Your heritage reflects in every piece you create. Growing up in Athens, were there any particular places, memories, or people that shaped your aesthetic and inspired you to celebrate Greek culture through your designs?
Growing up in Athens, the artistic stimulus there played a large part in the inspiration that goes into the patterns I design. What was very important to the brand was the specific upbringing I had from both my parents. My Greek father’s business was entertainment – he built and owned iconic restaurants and nightclubs in Athens and Mykonos at the time, frequented by the chicest Greek and international clientele. From him, I developed my love for entertaining, and for creating beautiful tablescapes that people would enjoy to come together and simply have a good time! I believe truly beautiful homes & tablescapes change the energy around a table and can make the difference to people’s moods. On the other hand, my mother, who was a stylist for important magazines such as Vogue and Tatler, while also dabbling in interior design, grew up and lived in New York. From her, I learnt to see things from a sophisticated perspective in terms of decoration and in my personal style. With a little bit of glamour, these two influences came together and created THEMIS Z.
The fashion and homeware industries can often feel worlds apart, yet you’ve beautifully bridged the two. What motivated you to combine these two separate forms of art, and how do they complement each other in the THEMIS Z story?
There are quite a few brand pillars that unite THEMIS Z’s home and fashion collections. The brand started with a homeware line, but quickly moved onto fashion in order to create a whole world of THEMIS Z. My vision is to give our clients a luxurious, sophisticated look that can be worn and used with ease all over the world. THEMIS Z is meant to add unique looks to their life, along with a hint of old-school glamour, tailored to fit the contemporary times we live in.
Your collections stand out for their clean lines and geometric patterns inspired by Greek architecture and decorative arts. When you sit down to design, what’s the starting point for you? Is it a story, a visual memory, or something else entirely?
Every collection begins with a pattern placed upon a plate. In my imagination, I envision a complete table layout, arranging the patterns side by side to decide which combinations will create a striking tabletop. For me, a beautifully set table is the starting point of every creative process. My designs often draw inspiration from Greek architecture, sparked by something as simple as a walk through the heart of Athens. The possibilities are endless – the light, the colors, and the enchantment of Greece remain my constant muse.
You’ve collaborated with some of the most iconic names in design, from Dior Maison to Atelier Swarovski. Which collaboration has challenged or inspired you the most, and how have these partnerships shaped your creative vision?
Working with both houses was an amazing experience, and their teams are incredible to work with! Dior Maison was, of course, my first love. Designing table top collections for them is every designer’s dream! We also produced our collections for Dior Maison, which is a testament to the exceptional quality of our porcelain. Working with the artistic director of Dior Maison, Cordellia de Castellane, who is now a dear friend, gave me a whole new perspective on product lines and frameworks. Atelier Swarovski was a completely new genre for me – I had never before designed jewellery, so I was very nervous in the beginning! But I absolutely LOVED designing jewelry and working with Swarovski. You have endless colors and crystals to use which makes the creative process all the more fun!
Sustainability is a cornerstone of THEMIS Z. Can you share how this value influences not just your material choices but also the philosophy behind how you create and curate your collections?
Yes, sustainability and ethical production are deep core values for THEMIS Z. It’s important for us that we support local communities and artisans, not only in Greece, but in other parts of the world. All of our collections are handmade or handcrafted in Athens by our artisans, and we have also worked with artisans in Colombia for our iraca palm collection. All our materials are produced exclusively for us with sustainability in mind. Once a material is fully used, it is never reproduced. This approach ensures that we maintain nearly zero stock in our ready-to-wear collections. Any leftover materials are repurposed into cushions or other home accessories, reflecting our commitment to a zero-waste philosophy. An added benefit of this approach is the uniqueness it offers to our clients. Each piece is part of a small, bespoke collection, crafted by hand with exceptional quality, ensuring that no two wardrobes are ever quite the same.
The collaboration with Collective Africa feels like such a natural fit for the THEMIS Z brand. What drew you to this partnership?
I am so happy about this wonderful collaboration, and our pop-up at Collective Africa. I was asked to design a collection of bespoke tabletop homeware for Avli by tashas, which has been such a wonderful experience! Through this, we decided it would be wonderful to bring the world of THEMIS Z to Dubai so it can be experienced by Collective Africa’s discerning clients. Our ethos is very similar: we love locally made designs, which emphasize on style and quality.
You’ve already achieved so much, from global press coverage to collaborations with leading brands. What’s next for THEMIS Z? Are there any dream projects or uncharted territories you’re eager to explore?
There are many collaborations I am super excited about for the future, such as our bespoke collection at Avli by tashas being one! I would love to get to know our Middle Eastern clients better as I feel the whole region is booming in the arts, in fashion, and in all aspects, which I find extremely exciting. I believe the Middle East is living in the future and I can’t wait to explore more! Culturally, Greece and the Middle East are very similar and our clients in the region appreciate our designs, patterns, quality and Greek Heritage.
As someone whose work is rooted in both artistry and functionality, what do you hope people take away from experiencing THEMIS Z – whether they’re dining with your porcelain plateware or wearing one of your caftans?
My aim is to make our clients happy. THEMIS Z is a happy brand, full of color, luxurious textures, beautiful cuts and elegant homeware. I would love our clients to create beautiful tabletops with all our patterns and colors, and for our clothes to make them feel glamorous and elegant.
Nicky Greig
The collaboration with Collective Africa feels like such a natural fit for THEMIS Z brand. What drew you to this partnership?
The idea for this collaboration came about when I was on holiday in Mykonos. Walking into Themis’ beautiful shop, the vibrancy and elegance drew me to her design sensibility and made me realise her talent. Upon meeting her, she expressed an interest in coming to Dubai and it felt like a perfect fit for Collective Africa at Bungalo34. At Collective, we are drawn to designers and artisans that create handmade, one-off pieces, as opposed to typical mass produced pieces. Themis’ pieces are just that. She has managed to create an extraordinary collection of both clothing and homeware that have a subtle and beautiful undercurrent of her Greek heritage.
The collection is debuting at Bungalo34, a setting known for its laid-back luxury. Any comments on this?
Themis’ range is the epitome of laid back luxury. Her pieces are colourful, elegant and sophisticated and her resortwear perfectly compliment the vibe of Bungalo34.
This collaboration celebrates the ‘art of living.’ How do you interpret that concept personally, and how is it reflected in the pieces Themis has created for this launch?
To me, the “art of living” is about finding joy in every moment. Themis’ collection is about finding joy in what you are wearing, and how you feel, as well as the joy of being around the table with family and friends.
