2 Cool Founders Share Their Little Black Book
FASHION
The city that always inspires us
Nafsika: London. I studied there and it truly shaped me. The street style, the club culture and constantly having access to all kinds of people really fed all the different personalities that live within me. It's one of those cities where creativity feels completely democratic and endlessly inspiring.
Stephanie: Dubai. I'm incredibly impressed by what they've built there and the environment they've created for businesses and Arabs of our generation. That ambition and sense of possibility are things I find very inspiring.
The most underrated destination for vintage finds
Stephanie: Cape Town. I've bought so many great vinyl records there. It's also brilliant for finding unexpected pieces for the home, interesting objects and unique patterns. You end up discovering things you weren't even looking for.
The concept stores we'll never stop thinking about
Nafsika: I'll forever be hung up on Colette. Walking in felt like entering a world of discovery. Everything was curated with instinct and emotion rather than trend forecasting and every trip to Paris involved hours spent there. Honestly, it educated me.
Stephanie: Dover Street Market. I can spend hours in there. The visual merchandising is exceptional – the way they present fashion feels more like an exhibition than a retail experience.
The independent boutique we always recommend
Nafsika: Koi Bird in London. It always has such a thoughtful edit of brands and designers. I bought my favourite mushroom-shaped earring from Safsafu there and still wear it constantly.
The best vintage discoveries we've made
Nafsika: Mercari, a Japanese resale platform I discovered during a late-night scroll. It's such a hack. I found a bright green Bottega Veneta necklace that I wear all the time. I also love Bobby in Paris. The mix of high and low is excellent and it's large enough to justify making a dedicated trip. My favourite purchase was an incredibly bright purple shirt.
The markets we'd happily spend hours exploring
Nafsika: I recently visited Lyon and was genuinely impressed. The markets and antique stores felt on par with Paris but less hectic and far more accessible. I found a signed lithograph print there. I grew up in a home filled with great art, so I'm always looking for new pieces for my walls.
The websites we always end up shopping from
Nafsika: Vestiaire Collective. I'm currently trying to secure a Prada nylon tote with the flame print from the brand's 2012 collection. I've been hunting for it for years and finally found one.
The under-the-radar brands we're loving right now
Nafsika: For elevated basics, I love KOTN. The quality-to-price ratio is excellent and I really admire the commitment to ethical sourcing and social impact. The ribbed tees, V-neck t-shirts and knitwear have become staples in my wardrobe. I also recently discovered PURAAI while travelling in France. I bought a pair of trainers and love the brand's take on colour combinations and the coloured lace trend. They're playful but still incredibly wearable.
The jewellery designer we wear on repeat
Stephanie: Kamushki – I was gifted the Wishbone Hoop Earring for my daughter’s baby shower since she’s a Pisces, so it's really special to me. Mariam and Dania Sawedeg are so talented and have such great personal style too.
Where we find the best accessories
Nafsika: Gentle Monster. I love everything about the brand, from its approach to retail and storytelling to the products themselves. Visiting one of its stores always feels like stepping into an art installation.
Stephanie: I discovered Toga Archives at Gaijin in Paris. The shoes are consistently some of the coolest I've found. Every pair starts a conversation.
The fashion pieces we're always searching for
Nafsika: Great prints. I didn't realise that until now but whenever I look at the pieces I gravitate towards, they're always printed blouses or graphic t-shirts. I'm obsessed with textiles and surface design, so I really appreciate originality and strong execution.
The NS pieces we'd recommend to every first-time customer
Nafsika: Although we do really great dresses, I would point people towards our trousers – like the balloon pants for a classic basic and the Lotus trousers for evening. The Grammy pants are also really cool.
Stephanie: The Cute Intentions top, the Palestine t-shirts, the French blouse, the Woven Leo Chequard Top and Woven Mini Skirt. We have some great versatile separates for day to night. It's hard to pick an evening dress, but if I had to it would be the Urban Waltz or The Fox – the silhouette makes it so fun to dance in. Finally, the Organza Belle is such a great wedding guest dress – so breathable and flattering.
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INTERIORS
Where we shop for homeware and interiors
Stephanie: Nafsika and I are both Etsy doom-scrollers. We've bought countless rugs through the platform and it's also fantastic for vintage lighting, furniture and one-of-a-kind pieces. My favourite find is a green Moroccan rug that completely transformed a room.
FOOD & DRINK
The cafés we always return to
Nafsika: Kava. I always order a hot almond milk matcha with honey. Coffee makes me far too jittery.
Stephanie: Stomping Grounds has been a favourite for years. Nightjar is another go-to.
Our current lunch orders
Nafsika: For brunch, BulBul Eatery and specifically the beetroot eggs. For lunch, Harvest's Shatta Chicken Bowl is unbeatable. They also happen to make some of the best cookies in town.
The restaurants we recommend to every visitor
Nafsika: Yugen in Amman. I really connect with their interpretation of Japanese cuisine. Great ingredients, thoughtful execution and genuinely delicious food.
Stephanie: Bar in the Back and Fakhreldin are my two standard recommendations in Amman – they never disappoint.
The spot everyone should know about right now
Stephanie: Cocina Tres in Dubai. I went shortly after giving birth and it felt like the perfect night out. Great food, great drinks and a really good crowd.
STAY
The hotels we'll never forget
Nafsika: Ananda in the Himalayas. We visited after I graduated and I still think about it regularly. After landing in New Delhi, it took another five hours by car to reach but it was worth every minute. We met fascinating people, learnt about breathwork and followed an intense wellness programme. It was winter when we visited and the turndown service included a hot water bottle in bed, a ritual we've continued ever since.
My husband and I also went to Sicily two years ago and did so much research. We ended up staying at Zash Country Boutique Hotel and Spa – an amazing estate – and then at Donna Coraly which was my husband's favourite. Both are full of charm and have amazing landscaping.
Stephanie: Fasano Hotel in Rio De Janeiro. We went there on our honeymoon and it was such a great location – our room overlooked the famous Ipanema Beach. I still think about the room service menu and the rooftop pool is such a vibe.
The neighbourhood we'd happily spend an entire day exploring
Nafsika: Paris, specifically walking from the 3rd arrondissement through the 1st and into the 6th. I'd start with a croissant on the go, spend hours browsing vintage stores and independent boutiques in Le Marais, stop for a matcha instead of lunch and continue shopping. Around 4pm, I'd head to Kodawari, my favourite ramen spot, before finishing the day at a great wine bar.
Our approach to resort shopping
Stephanie: Good resort shopping isn't really about finding the 'best' boutique. It's about giving yourself time to browse properly, try things on and come back later if you're still thinking about something. The best purchases tend to be the unique pieces you can't find anywhere else. I also think it's worth chatting to the owners when they're around – they're often incredibly stylish and full of recommendations.
BEAUTY & WELLNESS
The beauty and wellness addresses we always return to
Nafsika: Biologique Recherche in Paris for facials. I've used Lotion P50 for more than a decade and, for some reason, I still love buying it in person.
Stephanie: Throughout my pregnancy, I did a lot of self-care that I didn't usually do and now, postpartum, I'm still integrating it into my routine. I became obsessed with physio sessions with Dr. Sowon at The Hundred Wellness Centre in Jumeirah 1. Also Yoga with Sara Otto at Samadhi is now a regular part of my routine. For beauty, I committed to a four- or five-step skincare routine prescribed by Dr. Shadan at Novomed – it really improved my pigmentation. Twice a month, I also get a massage with Blanchi and when I want a real pick-me-up, I book a sculptural face lifting massage at Studio Julielemke.
DESTINATIONS
The place that always feels like home
Stephanie: Greece. Because it kind of is. We're half Greek, so every visit feels familiar, comforting and restorative.
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