Long before Banella became the colorful concept store you see today, there was another Banella.

37 years ago, my mother opened a lingerie store in Alexandroupoli, Greece, before I was even born.

Its name was inspired by the Italian word balena, meaning whale, a reference to the whalebone historically used to give structure to corsets and bras.

I grew up with that name, with the rhythm of a shop, and with all the little details that make a store feel like more than just a place to buy things.

I didn’t know it then, but years later, Banella would become part of my own story.