KALO PASCHA
For Ariane and Katia, Greek Easter is about slowing down, making, gathering and sharing.
Each year, they dye eggs by hand using leaves and flowers to create soft, natural markings. Cracked together in celebration, the last unbroken egg is said to bring good luck. On Easter Sunday, there’s always lamb on the spit. A long lunch, shared slowly with family and friends.
This same intention shapes every ILIO NEMA piece - crafted by hand, designed to be worn, kept, and carried forward. Like the bowl of red eggs, each piece is a quiet expression of craft, continuity, and care.
Here, the founders share their tradition and the process behind it.
Xronia Polla
STEP 01
"Create the natural dye by boiling generous handfuls of dried brown onion skins, simmer for as long as possible, then strain.
Add the eggs and allow to sit in a gentle simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, occasionally turning. Watch the red dye slowly travel across the surface."
STEP 02
"Prepare your eggs and ingredients for the dye. Wipe each egg with a cloth dipped in white vinegar—this cleans the surface and opens the shell so the colour really takes hold"
STEP 03
"Artfully arrange the parsley on the egg, place inside the stocking and secure tightly with thread. Add the eggs to the natural dye and allow to sit in a gentle simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, occasionally turning. Watch the red dye slowly travel across the surface."
STEP 04
“One by one, remove the eggs from the dye and let them cool on a cloth. Gently remove the parsley stencils and once cool, wipe each egg individually with olive oil for a sheen that deepens the rich red. Arrange them in a bowl and place on the Easter table, ready for a game of ‘tsougrisma’ - tap eggs against each other and the last uncracked egg wins.”
