The Anthologist Ark: Creatures Hand-Stitched in Myth & Memory
Founded by Greek-American collector and designer Andria Mitsakos, Athens-based Anthologist launched the Ark as a menagerie of hand-stitched creatures made in collaboration with women artisans in Mexico.
“When I was 10, my mother took me to a toymaker’s workshop in New Hampshire,” says Mitsakos. It was a wonderland of drawers and boxes filled with noses, whiskers, tails, and antlers. I remember being in awe as he assembled creatures from those tiny parts, and the thrill of designing my own. I always loved stuffed animals far more than dolls; they became my confidants, my cast of imagined worlds. Years later, The Anthologist Ark revisits that feeling, translating the magic of childhood creation into pieces made for the present.”
The collection showcases (just in time for Christmas), Prancer and Vixen the Reindeers, the playful Dolphins, Elliott the Flying Dragon (based on Andria’s childhood imaginary friend), Priscilla the Pegasus, and Leopoldo, the Rare White Jaguar, among many others.
Prancer and Vixen, the Reindeers; Elliott, the Flying Dragon; Priscilla, the Pegasus; Leopoldo, the Rare White Jaguar. Images courtesy of Sofia Konstantakopoulou for Anthologist.
Each are fully handmade in remote workshops and, in many cases, support women working from home. Their fur are created from hand-spun wool yarn and vegetable dye, and countless hours of WhatsApp messages with her lead artisan, Mary. Further, each come with a story of their journey, written by Andria. A book is also in the works.
Shop the Anthologist Ark.
ABOUT ANTHOLOGIST
Founded by Andria Mitsakos in 2020, Anthologist is a secret-source shop for design aficionados and a positive-impact brand inspired by cultural preservation, artisanal talent, and one-of-a-kind places. Based in Greece, Anthologist is a masterclass in using objects to tell a story, offering an “inspiration-to-implementation” concept for hotels, restaurants, and hospitality venues worldwide.
Revered by hospitality and design insiders for its commitment to cultural sustainability and craftsmanship, Anthologist’s collections span jewelry, ceramics, brass objets d’art, and more—each piece handcrafted by Greek artisans and global collaborators. Its year-round showroom in Athens, housed in a lovingly restored 1912 Neoclassical building, serves as a shoppable museum, event space, and gallery, bringing the brand’s philosophy to life.
Anthologist extends its creative vision beyond retail, curating bespoke design projects that honor local heritage and craftsmanship. Its first hotel design collaboration, Anthologist x East Winds Saint Lucia, reimagines interiors through a lens of cultural authenticity and timeless elegance. This partnership marks a new chapter in Anthologist’s journey—blending storytelling with space-making to craft meaningful hospitality experiences in the Caribbean region. This project also marks the debut of Anthologist’s new rattan furniture line—a milestone that brings modern craftsmanship to a centuries-old Caribbean tradition.
More than a retail brand, Anthologist revitalizes communities, blending heritage and modernity in every project, event, and collection. Anthologist.com IG @anthologistliving.