Konstantinos Solomonidis
In conversation with Chat GPT-5
I met Konstantinos through some prompts, and we agreed — well, I had little choice — to take a moment to reflect on him and what matters to him. Born in Athens in 1999, he has a love–hate relationship with the city — a place that fosters subversion, feels liminal at times, but is undeniably beautiful.
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His work moves between fashion and event production, guided by a collaborative approach and a deep respect for process. Known for his endurance and attention to detail, he finds creativity in demanding, fast-paced environments where structure meets intuition.
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Dionyssos quarry -fashion event production

Dionyssos quarry - fashion event
Chat GPT 5 - Do you remember a moment when you knew this is what you wanted to do?
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Konstantinos Solomonidis - It was more like a method of elimination, as I didn’t really think it was possible to do something more creative. In my environment, it was frowned upon not to become an engineer or lawyer. But after doing Mathematics, I realized I could never live a corporate or scientific life. I have a vivid memory of being on Hydra one summer for a party, and it just clicked fashion had to be more than a hobby.
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That sounds like a turning point — not loud or dramatic, but a kind of quiet click in your head. What was it about that moment in Hydra that made it feel different from everything before?
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I think I was just more confident in that setting. It’s a small and beautiful place. Like most Greek islands, it has its own aesthetic and vibe, and while I was interpreting it, I realized this is what I want to do interpret and reproduce unique aesthetics.
“I don’t force direction. I let things unfold.”

Hydra island during intese wildfires in Athens

Dionyssos quarry - tremeeats - our first event there
So it wasn’t just about clothes or visuals, but more about translating a feeling — turning a place, a mood, or a moment into something tangible. Do you think that’s still what drives you now?
Yes, exactly. At the moment, I’m more focused on spaces and how to extract the appropriate emotions from them.
That’s interesting it sounds almost architectural, but emotional at the same time. When you’re in a space, what’s the first thing you pay attention to?
What doesn’t fit or isn’t needed.
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That’s such a sharp way to look at it — starting from subtraction instead of addition. Do you approach people and relationships the same way?
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I think so. I usually expect the most from people even if they let me down. It often leads to disappointment, but I still prefer this approach to a safer one. Risky relationships usually give you more.

Tinos quarry
That makes sense — there’s something honest in giving fully, even if it stings sometimes. Do you think that same openness shapes how you work creatively too?
Probably, since most things I do are collaborative, and without trust and freedom, people can’t create.
So trust and freedom are the foundation — not just for the work itself, but for the whole process. How do you usually create that environment when you’re leading a project?
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I mostly try to work with friends, so the trust is already there. Many times, I have to find “strangers,” in which case I like approaching them as potential new friends.
That makes it feel more natural, like the collaboration starts from genuine curiosity rather than obligation. Do you think your sensitivity and awareness of people helps in reading spaces and projects the same way?
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Hmmm, I don’t know. I wish it would, but usually these things need a more streamlined approach.

“I find high-intensity environments to be the only places where I feel fully engaged.”

Old ouzo factory - tremeeats event

Old ouzo factory - live jazz

Ekran - open air cinema
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Helipad - serving tables

Pilion

Interni Mykonos - Flower installation
​​Right — emotion doesn’t always fit neatly into structure. Do you ever feel a conflict between the emotional side of how you see things and the more practical side of getting them done?
Emotion is definitely needed to be creative, but it can never interfere with actual work output. These work environments are already stressful enough; being unstable is way too unproductive.
So you keep emotion as fuel, but not as noise — it drives things forward, but you don’t let it spill over. Do you ever find it hard to switch off after a long day of that kind of focus?
Definitely, but I usually ride that high for the entirety of the project and wind down after it’s all done. I find that high-intensity work environments like these are among the few places where I feel fully engaged and inspired.
That’s interesting — most people would want to escape that intensity, but you seem to thrive in it. What do you think it gives you that calmer environments don’t?
I’m fascinated by the challenge of remaining calm in chaotic situations and supporting others in doing the same.
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So it’s almost like you become the grounding force when everything around you is moving fast. Do you think that balance — chaos outside, calm inside — is part of what defines you?
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Yeah, I think so. It’s kind of how I view myself in my family as well. Being the middle child with two brothers, I constantly had to be the middleman and resolve most issues — even with my parents.
That makes sense — it sounds like you’ve always been in that role of mediator and observer. Do you think that upbringing shaped how you navigate friendships and collaborations today?
To some extent, yes; however, I try to approach people and situations without biases, which often allows for a more organic and genuine flow.
Do you find that your sensitivity and attentiveness to people now influences how you choose projects or collaborators?
I think it’s that staying observant and open — to people, to spaces, to experiences — always leads somewhere meaningful. I’ve always preferred taking things as they come, moving with them rather than viewing life as a ladder of calculated, rigid steps. Lately, that approach has started to pay off — I feel like I’m heading in the right direction without forcing anything. Even when it’s messy, that honesty tends to guide me.
It seems like all of this — the people, the spaces, the moments — isn’t just what you do, but also how you make sense of the world.
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H&M rooftop - sun protection
“Human connections are how I navigate, not what I decorate my life with.”

Wind Tourbine Island

Athens

Ancient Olympia

Picture Konstantinos Solomonidis - Collage Mariana Filaretou

Kallidromiou street farmers market

New "old" home

Artwork Joanna Liarou & Konstantinos Solomonidis



Ancient Acropolis quarry dinner

Full moon dinner
Interni Mykonos
Photo © Hennes Alt

14 STOUT MEN, APARTAMENTO ISSUE #35
A Screenplay by EFTHIMIS FILIPPOU
EFTHIMIS
“I should probably also note here that my main worry, over and above the style or tone I do or do not have, is convincing myself that what I do is a proper job.”
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Dionyssos quarry - COS show
Dionyssos quarry - night
Photo © Charis Tremetousiotis