In this Business Partners exclusive, Elis Kiss, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Greece, opens up about her journey into journalism, her passion for fashion as a form of cultural expression, and her thoughts on the evolving role of women in today’s business landscape.
With a distinctive voice that bridges culture, fashion, and contemporary thought, Elis Kiss has long been a respected figure in Greek journalism. From her early days at Kathimerini English Edition to contributing to the relaunch of Vogue Greece, her work has consistently reflected depth, curiosity, and skillful storytelling. Most recently, her participation in AmCham Greece’s 9th Women in Business (WIB) Forum brought her perspective on women’s leadership and entrepreneurship into the spotlight.
Your career path is both rich and unique. Tell us a bit about your background and the journey that led you into journalism.
I was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, to Greek parents. We lived in London for a while before moving to Athens. Growing up, I was rather shy, but also curious and observant. At the age of 11, I was editing my own mini newspaper, covering primarily global affairs, fashion, culture, and sports. I loved magazines and spent (extremely) large portions of my pocket money on international fashion and entertainment titles. I always think a pivotal moment was when I started watching the legendary CBS series Lou Grant. The show followed a newspaper editor, played by Ed Asner, and his team at a Los Angeles daily. I was fascinated by this group of editors, journalists, and photographers putting together a newspaper every single day. Years later, in the ‘90s, my first job was at the International Herald Tribune (known as the Trib) in Paris. I’m so grateful I got to live my own little Lou Grant dream.
Fashion has evolved in so many ways in the last few years—just think of notions such as sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and female empowerment
What specifically drew you to the world of fashion journalism, and what has kept you engaged in it over the years? Was there a defining moment that made you realize this was your path?
After a year as a newsroom assistant at the International Herald Tribune, I was offered the position of assistant to Suzy Menkes, the Trib’s authoritative fashion editor. I already knew that Suzy was a true legend in the field and that for me this was the opportunity of a lifetime. I was absolutely right, of course. Right from the start, Suzy made me realize that what I thought I knew and enjoyed about fashion was just one side of this colorful world. To begin with, I realized that fashion was a huge global industry based on the personal as well as the collective, our dreams and aspirations, psychology, culture, history, sociology, and economics—a mirror of the world we live in. And although my initial journalistic aspiration had been to join a major international network, the global fashion arena eventually won me over.
You were part of the original team that brought Vogue Greece back to life. How did that opportunity come about, and what did it mean for you professionally and personally to help shape such an iconic brand?
I was thrilled to see Vogue return to Greece in 2019, through the collaboration of Condé Nast and Kathimerini Media Group. I was covering fashion for Kathimerini’s weekly K magazine back then, and the idea of contributing to the world’s most iconic fashion title was so exciting, especially through the magazine’s unique local-meets-global prism. Fashion has evolved in so many ways in the last few years—just think of notions such as sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and female empowerment—and Vogue Greece was the perfect place to explore this challenging new chapter.
In the field of Greek fashion and lifestyle, a large number of brands have emerged thanks to the vision, determination, and hard work of women entrepreneurs
As someone who closely follows the creative industries, what is your perspective on the evolving role of women entrepreneurs, especially in Greece?
Naturally, we follow the expanding role of women entrepreneurs in Greece and beyond, while featuring a number of inspiring personalities shaping our world. I am very happy to report that in the field of Greek fashion and lifestyle, a large number of brands have emerged thanks to women entrepreneurs taking risks and based on their vision, determination, and hard work. At the same time, I feel that our achievements are sometimes reflected in some very simple, straightforward facts. For instance, women buy their own jewelry nowadays, pointing to financial independence.
Our achievements are sometimes reflected in some very simple, straightforward facts
You recently participated in AmCham Greece’s 9th WIB Forum. What was that experience like for you, and how do you see organizations such as the Chamber contributing to the empowerment of women in business and beyond?
It was a true honor to attend and address what I perceive as a highly demanding audience. It was also a real challenge, given that I do not come from the business world, which also attests to WIB’s desire to go beyond the norm. I was given the opportunity to share a few thoughts, and in exchange, I listened to a number of highly inspiring speakers. Sharing knowledge and experiences across professional fields is vital.
Photo credit: @YIORGOS KAPLANIDIS/THIS IS NOT ANOTHER AGENCY
