Playing with All Senses
From Tracks to Tables - How Nepheli Curates Experiences That Go Beyond Aesthetics
This spring I visited Athens for the first time, and funnily enough, three weeks after my first trip, I came back. The ancient city had me mesmerized. The history, the ambivalence, and the a m a z i n g places to go out to. On my second trip there, I had dinner - or shall I call it a full-on wholesome experience - at Voulkanizater, the new hotspot of the city's social scene. Voulkanizater is a listening bar and restaurant, built in an ex tire repair shop (thus the name), extremely well curated from the food, the music, the cocktails, and the poster of the young Pamela Anderson in the bathroom. (That brings me back to my childhood, in my grandpa's old garage...)
And the mastermind behind this? Meet Nepheli-Ophelia Sachverdyan. A creative, kind, and inspiring human being with whom I recently had the pleasure to talk about all things Paradiso: art, fashion, music, and that unbeatable creative drive to thrive.
Nepheli’s story is as vibrant as the space she’s helped shape. She started working in hospitality at just 13, moved into social media for Scorpios in Mykonos, and quickly found her rhythm as a freelancer, a leap that turned into a boom. Now with Voulkanizater, she moves between music, events, and storytelling with striking authenticity. Whether it’s a party or a post, she only creates what she believes in. Opening Voulkanizater came with its fair share of chaos, but it feeds her in all the right ways. Dynamic by nature, she thrives on shifting gears, embracing both intuition and strategy in equal measure, something that recently caught Vogue’s eye too.
Now, the full interview with Nepheli in her own words:
1. When you shift between different fields and projects, do you feel like you're wearing different hats, or is it always coming from the same core identity? And in that process, how do intuition and strategy coexist?
When I shift between different fields and projects, it doesn’t feel like I’m constantly changing hats. It all comes from the same core identity — one that’s driven by curiosity, creativity, and a deep desire to be part of something meaningful. Whether it's fashion, hospitality, or business, what excites me is the process of creating, researching, connecting with people, and exploring new ground. I’ve never seen myself doing just one thing. I grow through movement and through stepping outside my comfort zone.
Intuition is at the center of everything I do. It has never failed me. When I’ve ignored how I felt about a person or a collaboration, I usually regret it within weeks. So now, I pay close attention to how aligned I feel with a project, the team behind it, and the story it tells. If it feels authentic, I consider it. If not, I pass.
At the same time, strategy plays a very real role. I plan my year in two 6-month phases, with clear goals and intentions for the kind of projects I’d like to be part of. This helps me stay focused while leaving enough space for organic, exciting opportunities to unfold. I feel lucky to now be in a place where I can choose how I spend my time. My 20s were definitely a rollercoaster, but they taught me how to trust myself, and how to build a life and career that reflect who I am.
2. In a moment of lack, where do you look for inspiration?
This actually happens to me quite often, and I used to get frustrated with myself for it. We live in a world that constantly pushes the idea that more is better - more success, more money, more beauty, more everything. Social media amplifies that by encouraging comparison, often through fleeting 15-second glimpses into someone else’s life. On top of that, we’re faced daily with overwhelming realities: war, inequality, environmental collapse. It's a lot for anyone to process, and sometimes it makes you question the value of what you do.
In those moments, I try to zoom out. I remind myself that I’m living a version of the life I once dreamed of. That who I am is not defined by output or optics, but by my intentions and values. I think about the power we have as humans; to be kind, to create, to build communities, to support each other. That shift in perspective brings me back to purpose.
What truly inspires me again is seeing people come together, watching someone help another without needing recognition, or simply having a meaningful conversation. Beauty and meaning still exist, sometimes you just have to slow down to notice them. And for me, that’s when everything starts to feel aligned again.
3. What or who are you trying to portray through your outfits? And if you had to translate your personal style into a visual moodboard, what would it include?
At the moment, I’m definitely going through a bit of a wardrobe crisis. The clothes I used to wear no longer represent who I am right now, so I’m in this constant process of rediscovery, trying to figure out which pieces actually feel like me. And that’s a daily struggle, especially in the middle of a 40-degree summer in Athens.
What I try to portray through my outfits is simply myself. Of course I draw inspiration from fashion influencers, brands, or visual references, but I always filter everything through what feels authentic. I’m not interested in dressing for trends or expectations. I want to feel comfortable, creative, and grounded in what I wear, even if that changes from day to day.
If I had to translate my personal style into a visual moodboard, it would probably look a bit chaotic, (in the best way). Somewhere between a Copenhagen Fashion Week street style reel, vintage market finds, clean silhouettes, undone hair, and a glass of wine on a curb. It’s still evolving, just like I am.
4. What is your favorite song or artist at the moment? Feel free to suggest more if you’d like :)
Honestly, this past year feels like a bit of a breakup phase between me and music. I’m not sure exactly why, maybe it’s the overstimulation of everyday life but I’ve found myself listening to music less than I used to, and that feels strange, even a little sad. Music used to be such a huge part of my life, something that always lifted me, moved me, or grounded me.
That said, I still hold on to the artists and bands that have always meant something to me: Groove Armada, Fleetwood Mac, Sault, Mac DeMarco, Maribou State, Florence and the Machine, BadBadNotGood, that kind of vibe has always spoken to me. And even though I’m in this quieter phase, there are still tracks that manage to cut through and shift my energy. Lately, I’ve been waking up to 'Loud Loud Loud' by Aphrodite's Child. It’s like a slow, poetic reminder to begin again.
5. What moment in your career was the turning point for you? And on that note, what advice do you have for someone new to freelancing in an artistic field?
A major turning point for me was during COVID. For the first time in my life, I experienced what it really meant to have ownership over my time. The idea that I could structure my day the way I wanted? I was all in. After those first few months of quarantine, I knew I couldn't go back to a traditional office, especially one where I didn’t connect with most of the people around me. I’m an introvert at heart, and my energy thrives in environments I choose ones that feel aligned, calm, and creatively charged. Eight hours of feeling stifled just isn’t sustainable if you’re someone who works best on your own terms.
That said, the freedom of working for yourself doesn’t come without discipline. My best advice? Be extremely organized. Understand your market. Do your research. Be professional in every interaction. And please, set boundaries. Sign contracts. Respect your own time and make sure others do too.
In the beginning, yes, you’ll probably have to take on projects you’re not passionate about. It’s part of the process. But those projects will still teach you valuable lessons: how to handle different personalities, how to negotiate, how to protect your peace. And eventually, you’ll get to the point where you can choose your work based on joy, alignment, and growth. That’s the real goal.
6. If you had to choose one color to represent you at this moment — emotionally, mentally, creatively — what would it be, and why?
Deep ocean blue. That’s the color that feels most like me right now, emotionally, mentally and creatively. I’m in a phase where I want to slow down, be more serene, travel, explore. And when things feel overwhelming or chaotic, I try to remind myself that, just like the ocean, storms always pass. Underneath it all, it’s not just calm - it’s a new era quietly revealing itself.
That being said, I invite you to follow Nepheli’s personal journey here and maybe even book that flight to Athens. Just make sure to reserve a table at Voulkanizater first.