Greek fashion designer Lakis Gavalas has detailed the intense backlash he received from fans of pop star Anna Vissi over his critique of her stage wardrobe, and shared emotional memories of prison visits from the late singer George Mazonakis during a late night television appearance.
The prominent designer, a veteran of the industry who introduced major European luxury brands to Greece before launching his own successful fashion lines, appeared as a guest on Grigoris Arnaoutoglou's talk show on the Antenna (ANT1) network on Tuesday night. Gavalas addressed recent public controversies and his role in the upcoming season of a reality modeling competition.
The conversation highlighted the fierce loyalty of Greek music fans, as Gavalas described the reaction from supporters of Vissi, a superstar Cypriot singer often referred to as Greece's ultimate pop star. Gavalas said he had received hate from the singer's fan club, who told him that Vissi had done well to kick him.
Gavalas acknowledged that his relationship with the singer had been affected by the dispute. However, he insisted his comments were focused strictly on her appearance and were not an attack on her artistic merit.
The designer explained that he had criticized Vissi's outfit during her performance at the Kallimarmaro, the historic all-marble Panathenaic Stadium in Athens that hosted the first modern Olympics, because he held the star to a much higher standard. He went on to state that her clothing choices at the Olympic Athletic Center of Athens (OAKA), the city's massive sports complex, were even worse, though he maintained that his remarks were made with love.
Vissi's stadium concerts are major cultural events in Greece, regularly drawing tens of thousands of spectators.
Expressing regret that his comments had been misunderstood, Gavalas noted that he still cared for Vissi and had sent her messages wishing her good luck ahead of her recent concert. He clarified that he had no issue with her abilities as an artist, recalling past occasions when she had sung next to him and left him marveling at the quality of her voice.
Prison visits from George Mazonakis
The interview took an emotional turn when the discussion shifted to George Mazonakis. Gavalas revealed that he had cried for five days following the news of the singer's sudden death.
Mazonakis was one of Greece's most recognizable contemporary musical acts. His distinct voice and blend of traditional laiko music with modern pop made him a staple of Greek nightlife and radio over a career spanning more than three decades.
Gavalas explained that while he was a fan of the late singer, they were not close friends, though they had socialized and eaten together in the past.
The designer, whose high profile arrest and subsequent imprisonment over tax evasion charges stemming from his fashion business was a major national news story several years ago, shared that Mazonakis had specifically requested to visit him during his incarceration. Gavalas said the singer was granted permission by authorities and ultimately visited the prison twice.
According to Gavalas, one of these visits resulted in an impromptu performance for the inmates. He said that after Mazonakis came to see him, prison staff asked if the singer wanted to perform in the women's wing, which he agreed to do.
Industry standards on GNTM
The interview also touched on Gavalas's involvement in the new cycle of Greece's Next Top Model (GNTM), the local adaptation of the international reality television franchise where aspiring models vie for industry contracts and agency representation.
The discussion focused on the inclusion of different body types in the modern fashion industry. The topic was prompted by the recent audition of contestant Stavroula Mavromati, whose appearance had sparked conversation among the judges during the show's casting phase.
Gavalas said that GNTM accepts a variety of body types, but noted that traditional modeling agencies still demand a standard, very skinny physique with a low body weight. The designer stated that he personally disagreed with the industry's ongoing preference for overly thin figures, adding his belief that there is ultimately a place for everyone in fashion.
