Kostas Tzanedakis is considered the best colourist in the world. Owner of Colibri Textile dyeing studio, the largest textile dyeing studio in the US, he has made his mark in the global fashion, film and theatre industries. An artist with sensitivities, philosophical pursuits and social concerns, Kostas Tzanedakis was a guest on Wednesday, on “Voice of Greece” and specifically on the show “Kuventes μακrines” with Natasha Visarionos and spoke about his work, which he said is an erotic encounter, about his life in America, about his ‘big bet’ which is “to learn to love people again”, about his plans for the future, about the fashion industry today, about the people who influenced him in his life such as Yannis Tsarouchis and Yannis Voglis, about the legacy of colours left to him by his father, while he revealed that he would like to work with Yannis Metzikof.
“‘When I came to Athens I understood that Greece is going through economic difficulties because of the way people dress. There are some people who believe that if the world disappears tomorrow and we have managed to save a trunk of clothes we will be able to learn how those people lived…” said Tzanedakis.
Kostas Tzanedakis was born in Athens, in a historical theatre family, as his father George worked with Karolos Koun and Yannis Tsarouchis for the Art Theatre in Athens and at the same time in many productions for theatre, cinema and opera in Greece. Together with his father he created the colors for Zorba, The Greek, many Greek, American and European films and created the costumes for Maria Callas for her performances in the USA and Europe.
“I work with beauty and art in mind. The joy of creating is endless. I owe what I have achieved in my life to the incredible Greek set and costume designers, such as Mr. George Patsa, George Anemogiannis, Yannis Tsarouchis, George Ziakas… These are the people we love and serve through our art,” said Mr. Tzanedakis, who before America “won” him over had worked with brilliant designers including V. Fotopoulos, S. Charatsidis, Lisa Zaimi, P. Brooks and Ch. Obolensky. “I remember I made a costume for Alexis Minotis and it was 48 kilos of hand-woven fabric…” he said.
In 1989, he was invited by the Shakespeare Theatre at the Folger to work on the fiftieth anniversary with Michael Kahn as artistic director and Kelly McGillis. “I never declared myself an immigrant. I always declared myself a resident. I have an art. That’s what I have to give and I make a choice to go into the business that gives me opportunities to do other things. And within me there was the challenge. That I from small Greece can come to your space and become better…. And I am touched by the Greeks who excel at MIT or other organizations abroad… Greece is