Meropi Ververi

PENELOPE Loom Heritage

Weaver

©Meropi Ververi

The threads of duty

Meropi's eco-conscious textile production intertwines tradition with innovation
The first object she ever made was a pashmina scarf
She teaches textile art to young artists and craftspeople

Meropi Ververi learned the art of weaving from her maternal grandmother when she was around ten years old. “Weaving brings up childhood memories for me. I can strongly feel the connection to my grandmother when she was sitting next to me,” she says. Meropi studied interior architecture and after many years of experience as a designer in interior décor and lighting, she changed the course of her career and embarked on a journey of sustainability and craftsmanship. She founded her studio, PENELOPE Loom Heritage, in 2020. Specialising in handwoven textiles meticulously crafted on traditional looms, Meropi creates an array of handcrafted products, from scarves to accessories. Her commitment to using locally sourced eco-friendly materials, including Greek wool and silk, is core to her philosophy. PENELOPE Loom Heritage has been awarded the prestigious Green Brand Award in the Gold Category.

Interview

©Meropi Ververi

©Meropi Ververi

Why did you choose this career path?: I considered it my duty to make an active effort to revive weaving in Thessaloniki as it is on the verge of being lost. Being an artistic person, I felt I could also express myself through woven experimentation so I pursued this craft as an evolution of my professional path. My ultimate goal as a citizen is to leave the minimum ecological footprint through my work.
When did it all begin for you?: After a visit to an exhibition in Italy in 2017, I realised that textile art was very popular in Europe, in museums, in the form of tapestries, as a way of free expression for artists, and also in fashion. Prominent fashion houses dedicate their collections to creating their fabrics on manual looms. One day an ad popped up on my computer for handloom woven products. At that moment I thought “I know how to do this, too” and felt determined to find a way to implement it.
What are the special techniques you use in your craft?: The techniques I use are based on both tradition and worldwide knowledge. I have been taught various techniques by women all over the world, including Peru and Japan. For this reason, in my techniques, I tend to combine the universal language of weaving as I consider it a human need. In many of my products, however, I focus on the techniques called azur and triopatitiro.
How does your art relate to the region where you live?: Thessaloniki in its modern history had many small industries with textile products. It is a multicultural city with a long history of traditional costumes which were created entirely on the loom. It is also a place that embraces and accepts innovation. In my case, locals have embraced the workshop – people care and love what is handmade and different.

Meropi Ververi is a rising star: she began her career in 2020 and she started teaching in 2020