In the spring of 2022, LID Publishing published the autobiography of entrepreneur Panos Papadopoulos – PANOS: My Life, My Odyssey. The book then went on to win the Highly Commended Award in the Business Journey Category of the Business Book Awards in 2023.

Panos’s autobiography begins with the story of his upbringing in a Greek village, born to a father with three years of schooling and an illiterate mother. His path then led him to Sweden, where he took any job that he could find, including working in kitchens, washing dishes, writing as a foreign correspondent for a Greek newspaper, doing substitute teaching, and even working as a guard in one of Gothenburg’s toughest prisons. Eventually, in 1986, Panos set up his company Panos Emporio, which is one of the most established luxury swimwear brands in the world, being the choice of celebrities and royal families amongst others. He led the company successfully for 35 years until he stepped down in 2021.

Panos’s story proves to be not only inspirational but also brings valuable lessons for any aspiring entrepreneurs who can, just like Panos, go from rags to riches.

But you might be wondering what Panos is doing today, almost three years after publishing his remarkable story.

In 2025, Panos is set to redefine the industry once again with a new fashion brand and collection.

Slated for an early autumn 2025 debut, his new label, Papadopoulos, will fill what he believes is a glaring gap in today’s swimwear market. After stepping back from the industry to recharge and reconnect with his creative core, Panos travelled extensively, gaining a global perspective on fashion’s triumphs and pitfalls.

He says: “Since stepping away, I’ve seen fits deteriorate and designs grow stale. Many brands churn out products with no real connection to the customer. Karl Marx’s idea of alienation feels disturbingly relevant in fashion today. When craftsmanship and passion give way to mass production and superficial profit goals, we lose sight of why we began creating in the first place. Of course, making money matters—but for me, it starts with offering something that brings joy to the customer and builds a lasting bond with the brand’s vision.”

The Papadopoulos collection will cater to both women and men, blending timeless aesthetics with innovative fit and exceptional quality. His mission is simple yet profound: to help people feel their best—in their swimwear and in their skin.

But the vision doesn’t stop at swimwear. Discussions with national and international partners are already underway to expand into clothing and accessories. Panos also aims to introduce a groundbreaking distribution model that will streamline the process from concept to consumer, rethinking how fashion is brought to market.

With Papadopoulos, the designer plans to set a new standard—where design excellence, sustainability, and customer focus take centre stage.

Read about Panos’ early journey in life and fashion in his book, PANOS: My Life, My Odyssey. 

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This is a rags-to-riches story about a man who came from a Greek village, born to a father with three years’ schooling and an illiterate mother, whose down-to-earth Greek values formed the foundation of an entrepreneur who went on to build a multi-million-dollar fashion empire.

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