THE FOUNDERS
Spiros Fragos
ΒSc Textile Engineer
Founder Pepper Vally® - Textile Digitization & Production Manager (CEO)
Spiros Fragos is textile engineer specialized in industrial knit technical development, programming & engineering. He represents the third generation of a tailored made knitwear workshop in Athens, Greece. With a foundation built on his family’s rich craftsmanship and his education in Textile Engineering from the Piraeus University of Applied Sciences, Spiros has seamlessly blended tradition with innovation. After working a few years in other knitting factories in Greece, in 2005 he has modernized the family business concept by integrating automated knitting machines and advanced software, elevating the production of technologically advanced knitwear.
Aliki Goritsa
MSc Textile Engineer
Co-Founder Pepper Vally®- Innovation R&D and Design of Textiles & Fashion (CD)
Aliki Goritsa is also a graduate of the Piraeus University of Applied Sciences in Greece and holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Textile Technology & Management from Reutlingen University in Germany. She is a textile researcher & specializes in textile & fashion design through the innovation & up-value approach. She worked some years in the innovation & design department in various textile & fashion companies in Greece & Europe. Her vision is to bring this expertise to invent & realize textile-based solutions. The process of bringing again value to textiles breaking the existing codes and implementing the aesthetical & purposeful approach of an artist is her way to do it.
Philosophy
We are Art & Science lovers and this is what motivates us, the apparent contradictions. How applied science & technical knowledge guide us to create purposeful & applied art pieces. How natural raw materials with their perfect imperfections show us the path to use technology in another way and not the usual to create natural but also innovative advanced pieces. How to implement crafters’ knowhow, not only in the sewing process but also in the design & creative part, to offer you functional but still loveable & well-curated pieces.
Story
These challenges guide us to find solutions through textile concepts of sustainable art & realize them locally, exclusively in Greece together with our solid team of experts. This vision came to life in 2011, where we found Pepper Vally® and the story continues with the support of our customers, including clothing & natural lifestyle boutiques, museums, hotels & wellness centers, different type businesses in co-branding basis and all of you the final wearers through our e-shop, special fair and open workshop initiatives.
Milestones
Important milestones were in 2015 our inclusion in Not Just A Label contemporary designers portfolio, in 2018-2022 our award winning Feel More Knitwear collaborative project with several editions introducing a natural fabric smart sweater with integrated textile sensors for early diagnosis of heart abnormalities. Through this innovation, the technology was patented to create fabrics that incorporate electronics and smart technologies into the garments of the future.
In 2024, we proudly launched our 100% cotton swimwear fabric and collections after years of dedicated research, where turned up to international collaborations. Looking ahead to 2024-2025, we are thrilled to collaborate with international Suedwolle Group to introduce sustainable denim fabric using extrafine merino wool blends, bypassing traditional finishing procedures with environmentally friendly alternatives.