Couture Millinery by Anya Caliendo

Originally from the former Soviet Union, Anya Caliendo came to New York and fell in love with fashion. She studied fashion design and decided to become a 'couture' milliner. I asked Anya what attracted her to millinery arts rather than other types of fashion. Here's what she said:

"I would have to say a combination of things: the uniqueness of this art, the realization that beauty can be created without tools and sewing machines. I still believe that the best instruments God gave us are our imagination and our hands. But beyond that, I believe that hats are the only type of accessories that possess tremendous powers of transformation. The magic of it attracted me more than anything." 

 

Anya's hats are distinctive, feminine, highly creative, and well crafted. They are made from lush, expensive materials that she creates by using traditional handsewn techniques. The amazing "Fall Dreams" hat (above) is made out of handmade velvet leaves.

  

"Black & White" hat (above), in her own words, is one of the "fantastically funky, huge, almost grotesque" hats that Anya made for the Italian designer Kinder Aggugini for his Spring-Summer 2010 collection. 

 
"Confidante: She Who Holds My Secrets" hat (above) is made with bright silk handmade flowers. It is from Anya's first collection made in 2008, "Je Ne Regrette Rien" ("No Regrets"), which was sewn entirely by hand.

 

 
"Renata: How I Fell In Love" hat (above). Anya said, "This is actually a remarkable hat that is made out of 250 yards of silk ribbon. First, I had to cut the ribbon from silk fabric. Then, it had to be hand painted in such a way that the color would change from shades of scarlet to dark red. This hat is entirely hand stitched. No sewing machines...just like all my other hats."

Anya's hats are surely wearable art! Go to Anya Caliendo to see more. 
 
 
  
 

Comments

[Beth Pollins]

beautiful hats!

[Anya]

Sandi, thank you so very much for this beautifully written article. It has been such a pleasure dealing with you. I am looking forward to many beautiful posts to come.:-) Have a very beautiful weekend!:-)