The Greek influences continued with the budding designer’s beloved Yiayia helping to crochet pieces and hem unwieldy fabrics.
“Often, when students take inspiration from familial and cultural histories, it can be more subdued or ambivalent, as if they are still working something out,” says Todd Robinson, a senior lecturer in the UTS fashion and textiles program. “Mary’s work, in contrast, feels like a confident, contemporary proposition, an articulation of who she is as a modern Australian woman with Greek heritage.”
Those Greek connections also played a more practical role, thanks to Yiayia’s bread knife.
“I had to use her knife to carve the shoulder pads from foam pieces found at Reverse Garbage. They took four days to make. You can’t just buy them in that size,” Argyropoulos says.
Having finished her studies, the designer is now facing a future in a tumultuous industry but is eager to further hone her skills overseas. Internships at Marni and Maison Margiela are on her dream board.
“I would wash the bathrooms at Margiela. I’m not afraid of starting at the bottom,” she says.
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Gogos already sees Argyropoulos as on her way to the top.
“In a time of quiet luxury, what’s wrong with having something by Mary, that’s fierce, like her?”
That could mean Argyropoulos starting her own label, sooner rather than later.
“I have worked on Australian Fashion Week with Jordan for four years, so the novelty has worn off but seeing my name there might feel different,” she says.
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