If you’ve ever wondered what a day in the life of a true fashion insider is like, you’ve come to the right place. In the latest episode of the From AM to PM series, we follow Gala González—designer, content creator, and one of our most iconic MANGO Girls—through a day in Athens, where our MANGO Slow Summer event is kicking off. A swim to start the day off right, a visit to the Greek capital’s most iconic market and a traditional meal by the sea are all the Galician designer needs to unwind before such a special occasion as this. Scroll down and discover how to experience summer in the Mediterranean.
From AM to PM with Gala González
Join us on this Greek odyssey and find out what this true fashion insider got up to on the day of our MANGO Slow Summer event.
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9:00 – Morning dip
Although the very definition of a slow summer suggests there’s perhaps no need to get up early, Gala chooses to make the most of the day – after all, how could she possibly miss out on her hotel’s wonderful swimming pool? First thing in the morning she can swim to her heart’s content, and whilst enjoying the first rays of sunshine, she can organise her schedule: “I usually like to go with the flow, though I must confess that when I visit a new city, I always make a list of the places I shouldn’t miss”. For the occasion, she’s chosen an improvised all-white look featuring an embroidered mini-skirt and a loose-fitting linen shirt, one of her summer essentials, she tells us. The star of the outfit is a brown bikini with on-trend metallic details. Next stop: Plaka 2, Athens’ main market.
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13:00 – Mandatory visit to the market
After breakfasting on coffee and a traditional Greek spanakopita (basically, a delicious puff pastry pie filled with spinach and feta cheese), Gala heads to one of the must-visit spots on her trip to Athens: Plaka 2. “I love a flea market. I work in fashion, what can I say, this is my guilty pleasure.” For this plan, she has chosen a set from our latest ECKHAUS LATTA x MANGO collaboration, comprising a red knitted skirt, a micro-striped knitted cardigan, a grey top, and a pair of comfortable silver flat sandals. Gala strolls through its chaotic streets as if she’s been there before—that’s just how familiar this vibrant, authentic atmosphere feels to her, brimming with clothes, accessories, antiques, curiosities and souvenirs. Beyond the obligatory postcards and fridge magnets, what’s her best trick for finding the perfect souvenir? As she tells us, it’s about looking for what she calls a “bargain”—that is, those opportunities that combine quality with a good price, and which you simply can’t pass up. One example is the little-but-great shop selling handmade sandals where the designer ends up; crafted by hand from leather of all kinds and finishes, the endless options leave her spoilt for choice. Anyway, she takes her time deciding. There’s no rush. In the slow summer, things are done calmly.
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21:00 – Ready for the MANGO Slow Summer event
Once the shopping is done, Gala finds the most special place to eat – the sort of spot where, as she puts it, “you can tell the food will be absolutely delicious even before tasting it”. In this little Greek taverna by the sea, she savours the most typical dishes of the local cuisine: salad, anchovies, feta cheese pie... and for dessert? A mango! The sobremesa is long, just as she likes it, but it’s time to head back to the hotel for the most fun part of the day: choosing the perfect look for the MANGO Slow Summer event. “I’m not sure what I want to wear tonight, I just know I want it to be boho”. Although every outfit this fashion expert puts together is better than the last, a brown gathered dress with a cowl neckline and open back takes the prize. She pairs it with heeled sandals, a gold belt and a maxi bag with wooden beads that adds the perfect finishing touch. It’s comfy, it’s sexy, it’s pure summer. After a few touch-ups and a couple of selfies, Gala is ready to enjoy a very special evening, in true slow summer style.
