NEW YORK – Laiik is a new, accessible luxury sandal brand redefining the classic Hellenic sandal for a new generation of conscientious women. Responsibly handmade in Athens by 3rd generation craftswo/men, the sandals offer the timeless, yet modern look with added comfort. The Greek-American siblings behind Laiik, Helene Theros and Nickolas Theros spoke with The National Herald about the brand at Greca NYC where a very special Happy Hour & Sandals Trunk Show was held in TriBeCa on July 12.

When asked if she was always interested in fashion, Helene Theros told TNH, “I have always been interested in shoes in particular, but never in a professional capacity! The Greek sandal especially has always been very special to me – it’s stylish, functional, and has history. Every summer, we’d go to Greece and buy at least two pairs of sandals each. It surprised me when my friends back home would go crazy over them, asking me to bring them back pairs the next time I went. In my mind, since I had grown up with them, it was if they’d never seen a sandal before. But it opened my eyes to the sandal’s ‘unique-ness’ and simple beauty.”

Nickolas Theros told TNH that the idea came up about ten years ago to bring Greek sandals to the wider American market, but it was put on hold until about a year and some months ago when the idea could finally be realized, after a great deal of market research, creating a solid business plan, and finding the right craftspeople in Greece to make the sandals. The opportunity to not only bring wonderful, stylish, and beautiful sandals to the market but also help Greece and its economy could not be missed.

Theros also told TNH that while Greek sandals are so well-known for their classic look, the actual number imported from Greece to the United States is relatively small, though the demand is definitely there for high quality Greek sandals.

The high quality craftsmanship is clear when you pick up the Laiik sandal for the first time. Many in attendance at the trunk show tried on the sandals and walked around, marveling at the comfort from the minute they slipped them on.

Available in a variety of colors made from vegetable dyes, Laiik sandals with their unique and elegant geometric designs are the perfect summer sandal for any outfit and occasion. The luxury leather-rubber sole mix make Laiik the perfect transition sandal: worn for work and play, the beach and the boardroom.

As noted on Laiik’s Instagram, “We’ve taken the Greek sandal worn by warriors and goddesses and evolved it to fit your world.”

Helene Theros and her brother Nickolas Theros at the Laiik pop-up in Tribeca with some of the brand’s high quality, fashionable sandals handmade exclusively in Greece. (Photo by Eleni Sakellis)

The siblings, based in Washington, DC, grew up visiting their grandmother and aunts in Athens, “raised in a foreign service family always on the move, from DC to Damascus, Greece was our constant, and we began every trip with the same ritual: buying leather sandals in Plaka,” Helene Theros told TNH. She is the youngest of three siblings- Nickolas is the eldest, sister Marika in the middle. Their father, Ambassador Patrick N. Theros, a TNH contributor, was also in attendance at the event along with other family members and friends.

Upcoming pop-up shops in other U.S. cities are coming soon, including six weeks in Georgetown. Nickolas Theros told TNH that there are plans to return to New York City in September for Fashion Week.

More information on Laiik sandals is available online at laiik.com.

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