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Christos: It's Real Greek to Me!
Christos Garkinos lends a hand to Greece the best way he knows how -- through fashion!
If you have been watching the show, you have easily picked up that I am one proud Greek-American.
I'm a son of immigrants who moved at a young age (mom at 12 and dad at 17) to Detroit to pursue the American dream.
My parents met at church, married, and moved into a duplex above my grandparents in the city.
It was a real my big fat Greek wedding. Aunt and uncle down the street. 10 cousins down the road.
Being Greek and being proud of my heritage heavily influenced me.
We dressed to the nines for church. I loved seeing all the Greek women in their dresses, furs, and Chanel bags. Pants were a big no-no.
I was an altar boy and was transfixed with the Byzantine style robes we wore each week.
Traveling to Greece became almost a yearly occurrence from age 15.
It is truly my favorite place in the world.
So you can imagine how heartsick I have been to watch the breakdown of the Greek economy and the resulting malaise it has inflicted on her people.
This past week The New York Times ran a story about children going hungry in Greece.
In 2013.
I had to do something.
Beginning tonight on www.shopdecadesinc.com, you can purchase items directly from my closet. All of my proceeds to the Greek America Foundation's Project Hope for Greece. I've recently become an ambassador for the organization and I applaud their relief efforts for my homeland. To learn more go to greekamerica.org
Please take a look and get into my closet!
Evharisto (thanks).
Editor's Note: For more about Christos' efforts, read HERE.