Fifty years. Fifty years of stories, moments, children’s smiles and countless little memories. This year, Lapin House celebrates its golden milestone, honoring a journey that began with passion, imagination and dedication — a journey that transformed the landscape of children’s fashion in Greece and beyond.
The story begins in 1976, in a small semi-basement in Petralona. There, 22-year-old Stavros Papaiôannou, armed only with an old Singer sewing machine, a few meters of fabric and his mother by his side, envisioned a world where children would be dressed with quality, care and creativity.
Despite his young age, Stavros dared to dream big. His faith in his vision was so strong that Lapin House quickly became the most talked-about children’s brand of its time. Within just five years, in 1981, he formed the company’s first design team, bringing together Greek and Italian designers. Since then, every fabric and every pattern has been designed in-house: each collection, a little story of its own.
Lapin House’s collaborations soon made history: Disney, Winnie the Pooh, 101 Dalmatians, The Simpsons, Marie-Chantal, Celia Kritharioti, as well as the iconic 2004 Olympic Games collection — highlighted by the white dress worn by the young girl who extinguished the Olympic Flame, designed exclusively by Lapin House.
In 1989, the brand opened its first flagship store at Ermou 21. A neoclassical building that quickly became a world of magic: the scent of the popcorn machine turned on every morning, the surprise balloons that burst to reveal gifts, the very first vintage toy exhibition ever held in Greece. Within a few years, Lapin House stores appeared across the country, from Athens to the Greek mainland.
By 1994, with 17 stores already operating in Greece, the brand expanded internationally: exports across Europe and the Atlantic, and 11 stores in landmark locations in New York, Boston and Atlanta. Today, Lapin House is considered the largest children’s clothing retail chain in Europe, with a strong presence both in Greece and abroad.
Thirty-five years ago, Lapin House became the first to represent and introduce Ralph Lauren Kids to Europe, paving the way for children’s luxury fashion in Greece. The brand later enriched its portfolio with leading names such as Karl Lagerfeld, Michael Kors, Chloé, Zimmermann, as well as luxury adult brands including Ralph Lauren, Vilebrequin and Paul & Shark. Today, the Group operates 30 exclusive Lapin House stores and 15 Ralph Lauren, Vilebrequin and Paul & Shark stores across Greece.
The name Lapin House — “the house of the rabbit” — was inspired by Stavros’s love for nature and French culture. Known as “the silent entrepreneur”, he avoided the spotlight and preferred spending time with his family, often on a small island in the Aegean, fishing. His imagination and love for the world of children shaped the identity of the entire brand.
From its earliest campaigns to today, Lapin House has always told stories. Its packaging has won awards, its shop windows became miniature theatrical sets — hot air balloons, teddy bears, Christmas villages. Its photoshoots travelled the world, capturing children in every corner of the planet. Its advertising work has received dozens of awards.
And yet, throughout this entire journey, one thing has remained the same:
The promise of 1976.
To create clothes made with love.
To embrace the child and their future.
To support sustainability, natural materials and quality that stands the test of time.
Today, 50 years later, Lapin House continues to sew magic. It has grown, travelled, evolved, and collaborated with leading designers; it has touched families around the world — but remains true to the same heart that first beat in that semi-basement in Petralona.
Because Lapin House is not just a brand.
It is a story of love, passed down from generation to generation — and fifty years later, it continues to enchant.
