INTERVIEW:Helena Matheopoulos, a woman of idEal taste and Talents TALKS to Filep Motwary
Dear Ideals, Helena Matheopoulos is a woman of many talents.She kindly accepted an Interview with Un nouVeau iDeal…All the photographs you see are taken earlier today in her appartment in Kolonaki. Athens.FilepMotwary: You have just returned from London.What was the purpose of your visit? Helena Matheopoulos: I live in London! It’s my main home! Since the age of 18.fm: Appart form being an author for several books based on OPERA you are also a fashion journalist for Vogue Hellas and also for VimaDonna magazine.How do you combine the two?
hM: Music,Opera and Fashion have been my passions and principal hobbies since my early teens. After graduating from London University with a Master's Degree in Mediaeval History, I started my career on British Vogue, followed by 3 years as Fashion Editor of The Tatler and 2 of The Daily Express before moving to journalism in the Arts, out of which came with the idea for my first book, Maestro. I combine the two very easily because I work at what I would be doing anyway, as a hobby. Basically my days are spent on fashion or organizing artistic Events and many of my Evenings at the Opera! 
(some of her large collection of shoes) fM When I first met you, I was almost paralyzed by the strength of your perfume..Would you mind to share it with us and also tell us why you have chosen it? hM: It’s Yves Saint Laurent's Opium. I fell in love with it the very day it was launched, after the YSL Pret a Porter Fashion Show in Paris in March '76 (When they gave us a small sample bottle to take home). I tried it on the cab en route to the airport, experienced Love on Sight and have never been unfaithful to it ever since -except for a few hours, when I stupidly tried samples handed out in stores. The point is that when I wear it, everyone, including cab drivers, compliment and ask me what I'm wearing even though I, myself, no longer smell it after the first few minutes. I do however also use the bath oil and body lotion, and the smell stays with me all night. Before Opium appeared, I wore YSL "Y", Givenchy's L'Interdit, Guy Laroche's Fidji and, while still in Greece in my teens, Balmain's Jolie Madame. fM: You are a woman of original style. I see you as a real Cleopatra I would say, an Original Fashion Icon. Do you feel this way?
(BOOKS that Helena has written based on Opera) hM: I have never felt like an icon! I simply feel like myself. I have a strong sense of self and, I think, good self knowledge on all levels -the sort that enables one to be aware of and accept all one's shortcomings, including one's physical shortcomings, without any sense of trauma and then try to minimize them by enhancing one's strong points! I love Egypt and identify with almost every aspect of its ancient culture -hence my coiffure. I also passionately love color and texture and personality in everything and everyone: making oneself noticed and remembered. fM: Are there any regrets on your career choices? hM: Before I die I want the Theatre to enter my life in some way -maybe through writing a play. I love drama and the dramatic dimension in everything - including the way I present myself to the world! fM: Which are the biggest personalities you have worked with/Interviewed from the fields of fashion? hM: Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Cardin, Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Lacroix and Azzedine Alaia.
(some of her large collection of shoes) fM When I first met you, I was almost paralyzed by the strength of your perfume..Would you mind to share it with us and also tell us why you have chosen it? hM: It’s Yves Saint Laurent's Opium. I fell in love with it the very day it was launched, after the YSL Pret a Porter Fashion Show in Paris in March '76 (When they gave us a small sample bottle to take home). I tried it on the cab en route to the airport, experienced Love on Sight and have never been unfaithful to it ever since -except for a few hours, when I stupidly tried samples handed out in stores. The point is that when I wear it, everyone, including cab drivers, compliment and ask me what I'm wearing even though I, myself, no longer smell it after the first few minutes. I do however also use the bath oil and body lotion, and the smell stays with me all night. Before Opium appeared, I wore YSL "Y", Givenchy's L'Interdit, Guy Laroche's Fidji and, while still in Greece in my teens, Balmain's Jolie Madame. fM: You are a woman of original style. I see you as a real Cleopatra I would say, an Original Fashion Icon. Do you feel this way? (BOOKS that Helena has written based on Opera) hM: I have never felt like an icon! I simply feel like myself. I have a strong sense of self and, I think, good self knowledge on all levels -the sort that enables one to be aware of and accept all one's shortcomings, including one's physical shortcomings, without any sense of trauma and then try to minimize them by enhancing one's strong points! I love Egypt and identify with almost every aspect of its ancient culture -hence my coiffure. I also passionately love color and texture and personality in everything and everyone: making oneself noticed and remembered. fM: Are there any regrets on your career choices? hM: Before I die I want the Theatre to enter my life in some way -maybe through writing a play. I love drama and the dramatic dimension in everything - including the way I present myself to the world! fM: Which are the biggest personalities you have worked with/Interviewed from the fields of fashion? hM: Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Cardin, Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Lacroix and Azzedine Alaia.Helena's place is full of her favorite designers, old and new .Note:On the picture with the two hanging dresses, you see the work of Nigerian BUT BASED IN lONDON, designer Duro oLOWu.
