Monday with my Mati Girl

Social Media can be an amazing place sometimes! I think one of the best parts of social media is the people. The connections and friends you make. The support you get from people who you’ve never met before, but you feel like they are family. I wanted to highlight one of those wonderful people I have met off of Instagram and share a bit about my beautiful friend Fay “The Mati Girl” who owns Eye Love Accessories. She creates such beautiful statement pieces and many have the Matia, or evil eye, on them. Unique and stunning each piece is a part of Fay and all the hard work she does! So I wanted to do a fun interactive questionnaire blog post and share some pictures as well of her work!

Why did you decide to create Eye Love Accessories? What is your family history that ties in to this company so deeply for you? Xo

– The word Filakto/Φυλαχτό N. means amulet, talisman, phylactery. These are found in many cultures. As a class they are called “apotropaic” (greek for “prophylactic) or protective, literally “turns away”. These filakto or talismans are created to protect against the evil eye, or evil eyes. The evil eye, known as mati (μάτι), “eye” is said to have been a fixture in Greece dating back to at least the 6^th century BC. In Greece, the evil eye is cast away through the process of xematiasma (ξεμάτιασμα), whereby the “healer” silently recites a secret prayer.

My Beloved grandmother was one of those healers who started my Evil Eye collection as a child. I was devastated when I lost her and my mother became ill around the same time, but having the collection she started for me helps me remember my grandmother. They were my healing, my blessings, my energy restored. Now I share my blessings with others. Each one of my bags is a blessing, a personal filakto, made with an abundance of love. From a Greek Goddess to a NYC fashionista, every woman needs a little bling and a blessing. This is not just my brand it is truly my heart and soul.

 

How do you come up with all the beautiful designs and what is your process of creating new pieces?

– I’m inspired by literally everything around me. My constant muses however, are my grandmother, my mother and three daughters. The evil eye is my main vibe and good energy creating a blessing for each person. I love fashion; my mother was a major fashion maven (expert), former model. So many classic designers inspire me as well. When creating a new design for example I always aim for the wow factor. It has to be all about good energy whether it’s an evil eye or stars, or even a name. They’re also all handcrafted. The crystal bags are hand stoned and it’s a process that is special from beginning to end. I’m a perfectionist; I want the bag to be perfect. When I see my customer’s faces light up they truly shine like a diamond.

 

What is it about the evil eye, mati that draws you in? For me personally I love eyes and all that can be found in them and then the history and culture around the mati.

– My grandmother made filakto for others and me. I always felt protected and my good energy preserved with it. This is my way of continuing her legacy albeit quite different. My grandmother started my collection from when I was born. My husband and I have always continued to collect and doing this has embedded the mati in my heart and soul.

 

Do you have a personal favorite creation? And Why?

– I’ve created quite a few pieces that I’m obsessed with. I don’t have a favorite yet. I truly love them all! Each one is my heart and soul that I am lucky to share with others. One of my favorites though would be my Mykonos Acrylic Couture Collection. It is a unique square shaped clutch with sparkle trim and custom sparkle star clasp, very elegant and fun. One of my other absolute favorite collections is the femme and fierce line. They’re the series of knuckle clutch designs from stars to mati eyes. They’re unique and a true statement maker!

What is your message with your company and your personal message? What are you passionate about sharing? I know you love to share the message Femme and Fierce, which is so inspiring to me!

– My whole vibe has always been femme and fierce. It represents beauty, power, and strength. Those are three concepts I celebrate and evolve with in everything I do. From a rock and roll goddess to an ethereal goddess that’s what femme and fierce is about. Examples that I love are my skull goddess rose gold, and Mediterranean blue version to an Eye Rock Clutch which is so femme and sweet, but fierce with large unexpected crystal stones.

The gunmetal knuckled clutch is my homage to rock and roll while at the same time invoking a badass goddess in the sweetest way with rose gold stars! I truly love it! Even my something borrowed something blue line, white acrylic eye clutch, with sparkled trim evolved into a femme fierce vibe with a clear knuckle clasp first and now has a silver sparkle knuckle! Femme and fierce is timeless and any woman any age can relate. Every woman should feel like a goddess. Everyone has a little femme and fierce in them.

And then of course I have to throw in a couple fun and light ones! Xo

Favorite Greek dessert you could not live without?

– I love love love sokolatina, a Greek dark chocolate covered with triple mousse filling. It has always been a favorite of mine since I was a kid. Ice cream flavors like kadaifi while in Greece are also a favorite!

Where are you and your family from in Greece?

– My family is from Kalamata. After being born in the states I spent my first few years growing up in Kalamata. After returning to the states I would spend 3 months over the summer in Greece. With my passport and ticket around my neck my parents always sent me home. Like the mati, olives and olive oil, and the endless lines of olive trees are embedded in my soul!

What is one of your fondest memories you have had while in Greece?

– I have so many fond memories that I could write encyclopedias about them all! Some of my fondest though involve my grandfather’s store and watching my grandparents work side by side. The late nights under starry skies hearing the boats moving with the current in the limani (λιμάνι- port) with family and friends. There was always music, songs, and plenty of home made wine to go around. One of the most recent and fondest memory however, after losing my grandmother and my mother falling ill was a few years ago while summering with the kids we went to the panigiri (πανηγυρι- festival) for Panagias (Παναγίας- The Mother of God) in Akrogiali. I watched my own children with others light lanterns and then slowly one by one release them into the starry sky. It was so simple, pure, beautiful, serene and timeless! One of my favorite memories of all times.

Last, but not least meeting you MJ. Like you I meet people all the time, but with you, your energy is unique and timeless, just simply beautiful in every way. Your energy is truly amazing and inspiring, and can be healing on some days when I see your posts. Keep smiling like the sun and the sun goddess you are! Xo

 

I remember the first time running across Fay’s page and just being mesmerized by all the different pieces she has, BUT then also finding out what a beautiful soul she is. She has so much Kefi and puts Meraki into everything she does. Realness attracts realness and this lady has it in spades. She truly does feel like family now and inspires me with all her hard work and positivity.

 

Please check out her website here at and look at all her beautiful work and strong positive message! Xoxo

 

https://eyeloveaccessories.com

 

And find her on Instagram at @eyeloveaccessories