The Benaki Museum NEMA Passementerie is one of the oldest workshops in Greece, and the only traditional fibre manufacturer still operating today. Formerly called Mentis Ltd, the manufacturer was first established in 1867. For more than a century, it has decorated Greek traditional and theatrical costumes, military uniforms, as well as creations of well-known couturiers. Tassels, ornamental trimmings, “brandebourgs”, ribbons: all the quality threads were processed to create the fine decorative details.

In 2011, the manufacturer was donated to the Benaki Museum to create a living workshop and museum space, preserving the traditional fabrication. Today, the NEMA passementerie offers visitors the chance to discover how the threading and knitting machines function, and to witness the thread making process. Beyond maintaining the activity, the Benaki Museum aims to create a dialogue between old techniques and contemporary ones, inviting young designers to be inspired by the historic workshop.