VILDIRIDIS HOUSE
A PRECIOUS LEGACY
VILDIRIDIS HOUSE
A PRECIOUS LEGACY
A name built through history, from Thrace to the United States and back to Greece. A family that is interwoven with high jewelry, from generation to generation, for more than one hundred years already.
A story of dedication to jewels, to designs and forms that evolve; And, to the quality and elegance that remains timeless.
THE FIRST GENERATION
FROM CHICAGO TO SALONICA
In the dawn of the previous century, Apostolos Vildiridis and his wife, Anna, arrive at Thessaloniki, from Constantinople. They are both Greeks, born in Eastern Thrace and lived in 40 Ekklisies. In 1895, Apostolos decided to move to the United States, in Chicago where Apostolos brother, Costas, lived, looking for a better life. But he didn’t find there what he was looking for, so in 1898 he returns to Constantinople, where, along with his godfather, he learns the art of goldsmith and horologer.
In 1902, he opens the first store in Constantinople, exclusively selling and repairing watches. Then, in 1912, together with his wife and their one-year son, Thanasis, they finally settled at Salonica.
The first store in Greece is opened there, featuring watches and jewelry and so, through challenges and obstacles, the first chapter of the Vildiridis history was written.
THE SECOND GENERATION
VALUES THAT TIME WON’T CHANGE
Apostolos VIldiridis and his wife, Anna, had three sons and two daughters. The family business becomes more and more renowned and the second generation, Thanassis, Nikitas, and Alexandros took over with the vision of expansion. The younger brother, Alexandros, studies Law and focuses on wholesale and imports of watches and jewels. Thanassis and Nikitas prefer the jewel craftsmanship.
In the meanwhile, the family grows. In 1950, Nikitas got married to Venetia Iatridou and they had five children: Apostolos, Aggelos, George, Thanassis, and Michalis. As the family grows, so does the dedication to the art that the first generation founded.
A STORY OF DEDICATION TO JEWELS, DESIGNS AND FORMS THAT CHANGE. AND TO THE ELEGANCE AND QUALITY THAT REMAINS TIMELESS.
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THE THIRD GENERATION
FROM SALONICA TO THE REST OF NORTH GREECE
The third generation, through cherishing the values of their predecessors, stays in the same creative path and the five brothers manage to found and operate 16 Vildiridis stores, all of them operating in North Greece.
Since 1972, the five brothers, joined together as a punch, succeed to keep the name of Vildiridis high in the jewelry field. They create their own series of jewelery, with passion and above all with quality and high aesthetics. Today they continue with great success in the field of jewelery and watches representing the largest international brands.
THE FOURTH GENERATION
LUXURY, HISTORY AND QUALITY ARE FEMININE MATTERS
In 1989 Apostolos Vildiridis with his wife Aphrodite Sossidou and with their two daughters Venetia and Stella proceeded with their descend to Athens, where they establish their new store in the privately owned and appropriately refurbished Chiller's distinguished neoclassical building at the Voukourestiou sidewalk. Similarly Venetia and Stella, who share fully their father's vision and passion, continue to hold the Vildiridis name strong in the fourth generation. To that effect they participate in the opening and operation of new stores in Kifissia (2000) and in Athens until finally they all inaugurate in (2013) and ever since they successfully operate their flagship store situated at the most impressive premises of the corner of Voukourestiou sidewalk with Panepistimiou Ave.
This story, which appears timeless and classic as the diamonds are, now forms an important chapter of the jewelry sector in Greece, from the past to the present times and from here on to the future.
