Ileana Makri launched her eponymous fine jewelry brand in 1998, gaining international acclaim for her innovative, culturally inspired designs. Born and based in Greece, she draws creative energy from her global travels—splitting her time between India, London, Paris, New York, and Athens. Her lifelong fascination with gemstones led her to study jewelry design at the Gemological Institute of America in 1996, marking the beginning of a career defined by craftsmanship, curiosity, and a belief in the power of education to inspire creative freedom.