My research in Tinos developed through meetings at the Zarifios Weaving School and the Ladies’ Association, where I engaged with local women and their craft traditions. Unlike most regions in Greece, Tinian women have been notably influenced by European aesthetics, likely due to the Venetian occupation. This influence is evident in their filé lace, a delicate embroidery technique resembling fishing nets, with decorative patterns filling the open spaces.
I collaborated with two distinct communities, each representing a different relationship with craft.
At the Zarifios Weaving School, a historic institution founded in 1898, I worked alongside its three remaining weavers—former students who now produce woven souvenirs. Originally, the school trained rural girls in need, equipping them with weaving skills for economic survival. As part of my research, I transcribed filé lace motifs into woven patterns, bridging the two traditions through material translation.
At the Ladies’ Association, women gather weekly to work on their lace embroidery, a practice deeply tied to social connection rather than economic necessity. Their designs, often European-inspired, reflect a cultural history shaped by Tinos’ maritime past.
By working within both communities, I encountered class distinctions in craft—lace was embraced by urban women, while weaving remained a skill for working-class women. This contrast highlighted how craft traditions shape social structures, reinforcing divisions while also preserving collective identity.