PELAGOS: ARETĒ

Introducing PELAGOS, Beyond Larissa's ocean-inspired collection. A celebration of the extraordinary creatures that inhabit its depths and the philosophies they quietly embody. Each creation within the collection explores the sea not simply as a place, but as a teacher of resilience, grace and constant becoming. The inaugural piece, ARETĒ, draws inspiration from one of nature's most elegant creations, the fish. Handcrafted in 18kt solid gold, the pendant features intricately hand-carved scales and a body divided into three articulated sections, allowing it to move naturally with the wearer. A vivid coral forms its watchful eye, while tanzanites, peridots and a turquoise bring rhythm and colour across its sculptural form. Named after the ancient Greek concept of ARETĒ: the pursuit of one's highest potential through courage, discipline and perseverance - the pendant celebrates a kind of strength. Like a fish navigating powerful currents, it reminds us that beauty is not found in still waters, but is refined by the resistance we overcome, with utmost grace & elegance. Designer's Note: I've always been fascinated by the anatomy of a fish. Every scale, every fin, and every curve feels perfectly considered by nature. I wanted this pendant to feel alive, so rather than carving a single rigid form, I divided the body into three articulated sections, allowing it to move with the wearer, just as a fish moves effortlessly through water. The hand-carved scales became my canvas for colour. Coral became its watchful eye, tanzanites the depth of the ocean, peridots the underwater vegetation, and turquoise the sunlit waters above. Together, they create a fish that feels vibrant, sculptural and full of movement. What has always inspired me most about fish is the way they navigate the world. They don't stop when the current becomes stronger. They adapt, move through it and, when they must, swim against it with extraordinary grace. The fish is a reminder that resistance doesn't diminish us. It refines us. To me, that is the essence of aretē: not perfection, but the pursuit of becoming the finest version of yourself through resilience, perseverance, and the courage to keep moving forward, while never losing your grace.