White houses overlooking the port of Hydra, Greece

Hydra: A Resort Collection Inspired by the Beauty of Greece

[from the travel journal of rockflowerpaper owner, Katie Smith, 2017]

Greece has been on my list for 40 years, but it was always a bit daunting because there are so many islands to choose from, and even on the mainland there is a LOT to see.  Every time I researched it, I would get overwhelmed with the choices and end up doing nothing!This spring, our dear friend told us he was headed to Hydra, and we jumped at the chance to join him. We quickly booked a beautiful waterfront home, grabbed our son and some other great friends, and headed off.

rockflowerpaper owner in Hydra, Greece, walking past a donkey on a cobblestone street
rockflowerpaper owner Katie Smith exploring Hydra streets

After a few days of incredible museums in Athens, we headed to the ferry for the short ride to Hydra. Our friends met us at the ferry with donkeys to carry our luggage (there are no cars on the island), and we walked to our spectacular house. What happened from there was a week of pure bliss – swimming and hiking every day, shopping in the beautiful town, long dinners with 14 of us every night, and just soaking in the wonderful Hydra vibe.

The trip inspired a small capsule collection of clothing, scarves, and bags that we are calling Hydra.

Our 2018 Hydra Collection launched with the iconic whites and indigo blues of the Grecian coast, along with a strong nod toward the Greek tradition of beautifully embroidered fabrics. For Hydra 2019, we're introducing new shapes in clothing and cover-ups, chic scarves, a fabulous new bag, and the addition of sophisticated black colorways and small pops of coral. This is elegant resort wear that is easy to throw on and go. Luxurious fabrics, no fuss, all style.

Cover-ups can be just as beautiful as your swimsuit, and our beach dresses are no exception. The Petasi eyelet beach dress comes in navy, black, and white. You'll love the soft 100% cotton fabric with delicate eyelet detailing, as well as the tassel neck ties, side vents, and button closure at the wrist. The Helena embroidered high-low dress features a flattering high-low hem, intricate coral pink embroidery, and a yarn-dyed stripe. They're both super comfortable and easy to move in. 

Our bestselling kimono wraps now have a more refined sister in our Siros Tassel Kimonos. This is the must-have piece of the summer. It comes in white with the option of navy, black, or tan tassels and embroidery, plus, you can wear it not only as a kimono wrap but also as a swimsuit cover-up. The angled hem creates lovely lines, and you can easily incorporate this beauty into your wardrobe with its neutral color palette. Throw on one of our Kamini woven striped scarves for a little extra warmth when the summer sun goes down. 

We've also added eye-catching mud cloth scarves to our Hydra collection, featuring bold prints with an organic energy, printed on a luscious and lightweight viscose blend. Tassel details at the corners give the scarf a bit of weight for gorgeous styling options.

The Rigas Long Tassel Beach Kaftan is so popular that the black version has already sold out once. All 3 colorways are  sleek, chic, and resort-ready, with clean lines and just a touch of tassel trim. 

To top off you perfect beach day, our Woven Stripe Cotton Totes range from an elegant striped black to a more whimsical striped coral to match your mood and your outfit. Fully lined, plus an interior pocket accented with a pom pom tassel zipper pull, this tote is stylish enough to be your everyday purse.

Each piece of Hydra is very special and beautiful, with lots of details including embroidery and weaving. These items have been a labor of love for us, and we hope you love them as much as we do.