GC: LUXURY

PANAYIOTIS MELLEKKIS MELEKKIS JEWELLERY

Q Game Changers: Your father Georgios and mother Eva opened the first store over 40 years ago. What motivated them to do this?

The Melekkis story started with my grandfather - Alexandros, who was working 3 jobs to support his family, including the selling of watches in Famagusta. In 1977 he sent my father Georgios to study in Horology in Switzerland - and upon his return he and my mother Eva began the first family business together in Dherynia. The combination of Eva’s artistic talents and Georgios’ niche skills enabled them to begin the Melekkis brand by providing unique custom made jewellery.

Q Was there pressure on you to follow the family

business?

From a very young age I was working alongside my family in the family business. It was a natural evolution - I was also very keen to learn more about precious stones, diamonds and wanted to explore and study jewellery design. At 20 years old I left for Florence,Italy where I began and completed my degree in jewellery design and gemology at the Gemological Institute of America.

Q What is the training to become a professional jeweler?

Following my studies in Florence, I believe that studying gemology and jewellery design truly assisted me in improving as a professional jeweller. The issue is that many people don’t fully understand that there is actually a substantial amount of knowledge needed behind jewellery, jewellery making and being able to advise on the right stones, diamonds, gold quality etc. When our clients visit our stores, we are able to provide thorough advice and information which I believe is not readily available in most Cyprus stores.

Q You have one of the largest stores in Europe, does this also mean it is hard to keep up the unparalleled quality?

Quality is always our priority and this is why we have been able to grow and expand as a business. Our attention to detail, and focus on top quality products has ensured that we have kept and maintained a large client base that is ever growing. Our largest store in Paralimni has returning worldwide customers for over 40 years.

The launch of our online store www.melekkis.eu has also assisted with servicing our clients.

Q With three stores in Cyprus, do people from different regions have a particular style?

Of course. For example, the Limassol store requests are mainly for yellow gold pieces, and precious stone designs with Ruby, Sapphires and Emeralds, those of which are of a vintage style.

The Paralimni store sees more modern requests from clients, including rose gold designs and large pieces with stones such as Opal, Alexandrite and London Blue Topaz.

The Protaras store is slightly more tourist oriented and therefore has a mix of styles requested, and of course many of the clients purchase diamond crosses, wedding rings, children’s jewellery etc.

Q Why should I have an individually designed piece?

Investing in a piece of jewellery is something that you will keep for life. All of our products that are designed are limited so that we can keep the uniqueness of every piece special and sentimental to the client.

I believe that making and designing a piece of jewellery means you can make it exactly how you dream it to be, with the stone you prefer and the gold colour of your choice. Also many clients feel that they can express something truly personal and individual if they are able to be part of the design process.

It is important to note that the most requested individually designed product throughout all of our stores is custom made engagement rings. Many clients have an idea of their perfect engagement ring, what cut diamond they prefer, carat size, setting etc. To be able to create a dream engagement ring that is truly unique is something of a rarity.

Q I saw from the collections that your brand has designed, I was curious to know what inspires you to make a piece?

Having a love for art and vintage jewellery, my inspiration transpires from British, French and Italian history. As I have also travelled substantially, I am constantly inspired by new cultures, cities and art. My designs replicate my travel experiences and cultures that I have been lucky to experience.

Q How do you turn a client’s vision into reality?

The first step is to book an appointment with one of our design team members at Melekkis. The client will usually explain and provide a background of the story behind the jewellery they wish to create. Preliminary, the piece will be drawn by hand, and agreed with the client. We will then exhibit a wide range of precious stones and diamonds in order to choose the right stone or diamond for the unique piece.

Following this stage, we proceed to present the product in 3D format on CAD matrix - this allows the client to see a 3D model of how the piece will be created.

Upon the client’s approval, the production begins in the workshop to formulate and create the unique piece of jewellery.

Q How long does it take to make an individual piece of jewellery?

Following the 3D model approval by the client, a piece of jewellery can be completed within 3-7 working days.

Q How can someone receive a personal consultation for a personal design?

By calling any of our stores and booking an appointment or via our website www.melekkis.eu

Limassol store: 197 Arch Makariou III, Limassol, 3030, Cyprus +357 25054570

Paralimni store: Melekkis Centre, Onisilou 6, Paralimni, 5284, Cyprus +357 23744222

Protatas Store: 16, Protaras Avenue, Protaras, 5296, Cyprus +357 23 833013

GC:FEMME

When Game Changers conducted a poll of our female readers to see who they wanted featured in for swim suits review, Emily Ratajkowski and her brand Inamorata came out with a staggering majority.

Ratajkowskis brand has become synonymous for summer elegance when it comes to laying by the pool and drinking those ice cold cocktails. Game Changers was only too happy to find out what the buzz was all about, and to see why Feminism’s number one swimsuit and lingerie mogul.has such an appeal.

By the time you are reading this issue of GC, the new line of Inamorata swim wear will be released. This can be viewed at Inamoratawoman.com...enjoy!

Model: Emily Ratajkowski Brand: Inamorata Cost: $235 USD full outfit

www.Inamoratawoman.com

Photo credit: Models own instagram

Models: Emily Ratajkowski & Sebastian Bear - McClard Brand: Inamorata Style: El Camino Cost: $95 USD

www.Inamoratawoman.com

Photo credit: inamoratawoman.com official site.

Any beach look is not complete without the essential beach bag to carry everything from sun cream, a sarong and the latest book by Emily Henry. Brand: Loewe

Even if you are going to the beach, don’t let your standards drop with a hessian bag for life from the local supermarket. Looking good is imperative, so take notes from our GC summer must haves!

Here are three of our favorite beach bags

this summer. Name: Paula’s Ibiza Shell Medium Shopper. Cost: 490 EUR

www.loewe.com

Picture credit: Loewe

Brand: Gucci Name: GG Marmont woven bag. Cost: 1700 EUR

www.gucci.com

Picture credit: Gucci

Brand: Christain Louboutin Name: Marie Jane wove jute bucket bag. Cost: 1490 EUR

www.christianlouboutin.com

Picture credit: Christian Louboutin

They say that our eyes are the window to our souls, however on a bright day nobody wants to be seen without a pair of designer sunglasses perched off the bridge of our noses!

Whether we are stepping out in Paris or by the beach in St Tropez, s unglasses are an essential to compliment our attire for the days activities ahead.

This summer GC takes a look at what the most elegant names in facial fashion are doing to complement our summer look.

Brand: Tom Ford | Name: FTO574 Mia Dark Havana Cost: 310 GBP | www.tomford.com

Brand: Gucci Name: GG0083S Pink Cost: 335 GBP

www.gucci.com

Brand: Bvlgari Cost: 313 GBP

| Name: BV8221B Dark Havana

| www.tomford.com

GC:HOMME

Game Changers demands that you do not become another Joe on the beach, wearing all the latest swim chic from Sports Direct. The greatest trick the devil ever played was convincing early middle aged men that both Slazenger and Lonsdale swim attire looks great.

By spending a little more, you can get a Daniel Craig emerging from the ocean type of results from the females, by taking a look at our picks for your summer look.

Game Changers Magazine fashion department have fallen in love with Brazillian luxury swimwear brand Frescobol Carioca. This well fitted brand can make a pleasant change from the standard issue Bermuda Short which were relevant in a far off era.

Visit their site to see their full selection of clothing www.frescobolcarioca.eu

Brand: FRESCOBOL CARIOCA Name: Shade tailored swim shorts Cost: 190 EUR Photo Credit: FRESCOBOL CARIOCA

BRAND: FRESCOBOL CARIOCA NAME: Coracabana swimware wear short COST: 185 EUR PHOTO CREDIT: FRESCOBOL CARIOCA

BRAND: FRESCOBOL CARIOCA NAME: Copic classic swim short. Twine & ink. Cost: 185 EUR PHOTO CREDIT: FRESCOBOL CARIOCA

Nothing finishes off your look better than an elegant timepiece of your wrist. Although a Rolex definitely has its place and has made some breathtaking pieces, sometimes you need something a little different to set off your look.

Being a Game Changer is about aspiring to be the best, so here is our choice for what we suggest you have on your wrist, when gracing your next summer soiree.

BRAND: BREITLING NAME: Navitimer automatic 35 COST: 5200 EUR

www,breitling.com

PICTURE CREDIT: BREITLING

BRAND: CARTIER. NAME: Ballon bleu du cartier COST: 12,200 GBP

www.cartier.com

PICTURE CREDIT: CARTIER

BRAND: BULGARI NAME: Bvlgari man watch REF103230 COST: 3810 GBP

www.bulgari.com

PICTURE CREDIT: CARTIER