Greek-born, London-based Maria Lemos is the creative force behind the Rainbowwave showroom and Mouki Mou stores, with outposts in London and Athens. Always on the move, she shares her emotionally driven approach to packing, the scents and staples that bring Greece with her wherever she goes, and the brand she always wears when traveling by boat.
What’s your go-to luggage and why?
I am quite the chaotic packer as I am always on the move, mainly between London, Athens, and Patmos. I used to pack my favourite things and ignore all weather reports, but nowadays I have adopted a more minimalist approach and try to pack as little as possible. As I am constantly transporting things from one location to another, mainly household objects, I have little room left in my suitcase for personal belongings. I discovered PROTECA luggage on my last trip to Japan, on a recommendation from a very close friend, and I have to say I would recommend it to the whole world. Made in Japan, superlight and yet so robust, it’s a suitcase of dreams. I bought the trunk in black polycarbonate and it has changed my life.
How do you approach the basics?
I always start with the shoes, and usually pack three or four options. Ballerinas in suede from Le Monde Beryl, trusted sandals from Ancient Greek Sandals—the Maria style is my perennial favorite, and a pair of heels, just in case. I always pack the most glamorous heels by Francesco Russo, but usually don’t end up wearing them. And I travel in trainers or Birkenstocks Arizonas, mostly their collaborations like the Pellicano raffia ones. Socks are important, so loads of socks from Maria La Rosa. I believe in the luxury of little things so socks, underwear and sleepwear are what I pack first. Underwear from Eres, always packed in little nylon bags, and Tekla sleep kaftans or pyjamas. Sunglasses are essential, and my current favourites are from Kaneko in Tokyo. Then, of course, jewellery for all occasions. I always wear the set free diamonds by Raphaele Canot but pack a whole different edit when I travel as jewellery can change an outfit instantly and takes little space. These are my starting points.
Around those I build the rest. I do a basic count of the days and loosely pack a relevant number of garments, knowing I will hand-wash if necessary. I pack on emotion, not logic, so I do not always get it right, but I do think about where I have to go and what I will wear at precise occasions, even though I might change my mind when I get there. In summer, Dosa is the essence of what I pack as it is so light, can be layered, and works beautifully in hot climates. In winter, Extreme Cashmere is my go-to, their weird dress is a longtime travel companion, as are boots by Legres.
Are you a roller or a folder?
Definitely an obsessive folder.
Any other packing tricks or hacks?
Daniela Gregis has become my life saviour for glamorous dressing. Her dresses roll into a ball, do not need ironing, and always look great, so I tend to pack a lot of her clothes when travelling as they never come back unworn. Her taffeta pieces are so versatile and can be worn day to night.
How do you think about accessories?
I always travel with one small Lutz Morris Parker bag in cognac, and then stuff everything else around it into an LL Bean tote, which is my carry on. Jewellery is how I accessorize every look, and I have a beautiful Isaac Reina pouch that carries my most precious pieces everywhere.
Do you have a great travel hat?
My Mature Ha hat is foldable and always in my suitcase, but as I am a hat lover and have lost plenty in many parts of the world, I tend to keep most of my hats in Patmos where they live year round. I still manage to lose them on the island….
What’s always in your Dopp kit/toiletry bag/pharmacy kit?
I love a good chemist, so I pack the essentials in a very old toiletry bag and always visit a pharmacy on arrival, as I find it is a great pleasure to discover a country via the array of products in a chemist! I have a lot of Naxos Apothecary small travel bottles in Koronos with me to remind me of Greece wherever I go, UKA nail oil in small rollers for nail nourishment on long flights, and To My Ships Polygonum Hand and Body Wash as I am addicted to the smell of the cleansing gel.
On a plane, what essentials does your carry-on bag always contain?
A good book is essential on a plane. It’s the only time I can focus enough to read. At the moment I am rereading Kavafy’s poems. Love reading poetry on holiday, and going back to the classics.
Any wisdom on traveling with electronics?
I am obsessive about my very old black nylon Sonia Rykiel cases for chargers/converters and everything has to fit in those, otherwise it does not come with me. My laptop is likewise in an old Isaac Reina leather case. Sometimes I think the cases matter more to me than what is inside them!
Do you have a travel uniform?
As it gets chilly on the plane, I tend to favour Extreme Cashmere for air travel, especially their dresses. I switch between cotton cashmere for summer to heavier cashmere in winter. When I travel by boat, my favoured mode of travel, I ALWAYS wear dosa. I think it is a state of mind, which says: I am in Greece, it is summer, and all will be great.
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