Antonia Skaraki's AS Women Empowerment: A Bold Statement in Corporate Gifting

Empowering Women Through Innovative Greek Design and Craftsmanship

Antonia Skaraki, a renowned creative director, has taken a bold step in the realm of corporate gifts. Her latest creation, AS Women Empowerment, is not just a gift but a statement—a protest against the abuse women face globally. The project is a testament to the power of design in advocating for social change. Each bottle of Cretan tsikoudia, a traditional Greek spirit, is shaped to represent different women, with clay faces as corks, echoing the ancient Cycladic figurines. These faces carry the weight of themes such as Freedom, Change, and Equality, making each bottle more than just a vessel for a drink; they are messengers of a much-needed global dialogue on women's rights.

The design's unique properties lie in its ability to convey a strong message through the medium of a corporate gift. The bottles, adorned with artistic graphic representations, are encased in boxes that not only protect the contents but also serve as a canvas for storytelling. The inclusion of over 2000 female names on the back of each box is a powerful visual representation of the unity and diversity of women worldwide, reinforcing the message of solidarity and strength.

The realization of this project was achieved through meticulous design and production processes. Each element, from the bottles to the packaging, was crafted with attention to detail, ensuring that the message of empowerment was clear and impactful. The technical specifications of the paper box, measuring 327mm x 117.5mm x 585mm, were carefully considered to house the bottles and accompanying wall poster securely.

Antonia Skaraki's team, including art director Valia Alousi and copywriter Nagia Koutroumani, played a pivotal role in bringing this vision to life. Their collective efforts resulted in a corporate gift that transcends its functional purpose, becoming a tool for advocacy and awareness. The gifts, distributed to A.S. clients in Greece and abroad, serve as a catalyst for reflection and action, encouraging recipients to engage with the cause of women empowerment.

The AS Women Empowerment project, which spanned from December 2022 to February 2023 in Athens, was grounded in extensive research on the challenges women face. The design team's challenge was to create not just an aesthetically pleasing gift, but one that carried a profound message capable of motivating recipients to support the women empowerment movement. The result is a testament to the power of thoughtful design in sparking conversation and inspiring change.

This innovative project has not gone unnoticed in the design world. AS Women Empowerment has been honored with the prestigious Iron A' Design Award in the Giftware Design category for 2024. This accolade acknowledges the project's well-designed, practical, and innovative nature, meeting professional and industrial requirements while promoting a better world through its message.