Freda Iordanous
Interviewer(s):
Theo Xenophontos
Project:
Film as Mediator: Cultivating a Cypriot Canadian Community Audiovisual Media Archive
INTERVIEW LOCATION:
Zoom
LANGUAGE:
English
DATE:
February 21, 2022

Interview Summary:

Freda Iordanous was born in Kalo Chorio, Cyprus in 1953. In 1971, she migrated to Canada due to her marriage. She works as a fashion designer and is the founder of Freda’s Originals Inc.

‍

Interview Details
Categories and Themes
Content
Media
Date and Location
February 21, 2022
Zoom
Interviewee(s)
Freda Iordanous
Interviewer(s)
Theo Xenophontos
Languages
English
Reference ID
FAMREF002
Project
Film as Mediator: Cultivating a Cypriot Canadian Community Audiovisual Media Archive
Use and Reproduction: Digital content found on the HHF GCA digital portal is meant for research and private study used in compliance with copyright legislation. Access to digital content, and the technical capacity to download or copy it, does not imply permission to re-use. Prior written permission to publish or otherwise use content must be obtained from the copyright holder. Please contact the HHF GCA at hhfgca@yorku.ca for further information.
Categories
Canadian Society
Culture and Tradition
Working Life
Historical Events
Migration
Rites
Tags
Clothing
Cypriot Canadian Economic Relations
Cypriot Canadian Identity
Entrepreneurship
Marriage
Pre-1974 Migration
Religion
Decades Referenced
1970s
1980s
2000s
Locations Referenced
Cyprus; Kalo Chorio (Limassol District); Limassol; Kyperounda (Limassol District); Amiandos Asbestos Mine; University of Cyprus; University of Toronto; York University; CN Tower; SkyDome; Vancouver; Canada; Arizona; Thessaloniki; Greece
Occupation(s)
She is a fashion designer and entrepreneur. In the 1970s, she worked as a stylist and photographer for Simplicity Fashion Magazine.
Parents Occupation(s)
Her father was a landowner and sold caterpillar land levelers.
Names Referenced
Ephraim of Arizona; Constantinos (Costas) Christofides (University of Cyprus); Constantine II of Greece; Theodoros Xenophontos

[00:00:19] Early memories of Cyprus and of her father

[00:03:24] Migrating to Canada due to her marriage

[00:04:02] Siblings coming to Canada, but not staying

[00:06:57] Her daughter's desire to live in Cyprus

[00:08:30] Her uncle working in the Amiandos Asbestos Mine

[00:09:16] Describing her first job in Canada

[00:10:37] Background on her fashion career

[00:14:08] Adjusting to Canada

[00:16:19] Various uses of audiovisual media

[00:20:23] The divide between being Cypriot and Canadian

[00:21:13] Class relations in Cyprus

[00:23:35] Religion and Ephraim of Arizona

[00:29:58] Building her business; meeting King Constantine

[00:38:38] Meeting with CIBC executives on 9/11

[00:39:55] Working with Cypriot companies

‍

This is some text inside of a div block.
No items found.
No items found.
Resources
HHF Greek Canadian Archives
Terms of use
Privacy Policy
Land Acknowledgement: York University recognizes that many Indigenous Nations have longstanding relationships with the territories upon which York University campuses are located that precede the establishment of York University. York University acknowledges its presence on the traditional territory of many Indigenous Nations. The area known as Tkaronto has been care taken by the Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Huron-Wendat. It is now home to many First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities. We acknowledge the current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. This territory is subject of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement to peaceably share and care for the Great Lakes region.
© 2025 Hellenic Heritage Foundation Greek Canadian Archives at York University. All rights reserved
Designed By Mahsa Karami