This Is The Year Of The Dragon! Having Fun With Dark Little Creatures. :-)

 I will be departing to Paris tonight, but before I leave I thought I would wish you the very Happy New Year! According to the Chinese Calender the year of 2012 is the year of the Dragon which will come into its full power January 23rd. I hope it will bring all of you fortune, happiness and love. :-) Since I will not be hear on January 23rd, I thought I would leave you with Dragon inspired dark little creatures all created recently in my Atelier. :-)

 Can you tell?  - they are completely out of my character and style but so much fun to wear and work with. :-) Had such a fantastic time stepping out of my usual comfort zone of silks and flowers into the funky leather and spikes kind of world.

 I will be back end of January to share everything new and fabulous about my Paris trip. To those who have requested and received registered invitations - thank you for your kind words, guys, and I will see you all in Paris! You are amazing and one of the most important reasons why I do what I do. Thank you for your endless support. :-) Cheers to Premiere Classe Pret-A-Porte Paris!

Eastern Promisses, Part 1. "The Seductress" Hat.

 Drawing inspiration from the magnificent culture, traditions and customs of Far East, I could not help but think that "Beauty" as we know it completely looses all its meaning once you travel to the exotic countries of that part of the world. Instead, a powerful discovery evokes itself along with a deep understanding that "Beauty" has more layers and dimensions than one could possible imagine.

 In celebration of it, here is "The Seductress" hat, also travelling with me to Paris this year. Created out of powder pink heavy silk (the fabric was designed by Giorgio Armani) and embellished with silk rose petals and roses. I have struggled to achieve affect of roses suspended in the air and absolutely love the mystery of the final result.

 Wishing you all fantastic weekend. :-) For me it will all be about things I don't really like all that much: customs forms, packing, final preparations...Nothing to complain about, right? Such a small price to pay for my trip to Paris.:-)

And So It Is Premiere Classe Pret-A-Porte In Paris and YOU Are Invited!

 As many of you might know PREMIERE CLASSE in Paris is the essential event in the creative world of Paris and in the world of accessories, it is a key event in the industry. For almost two decades now Premiere Classe consistently  presents a selection on of cutting-edge, top of the range creators, who influence the purchasing of an exclusive international distribution. This year I am very honored to be invited to be a part of it and if you are in Paris between the dates of  January 21st - through January 24th 2012, I would like to invite you to see me and meet my new Collection in Paris. To receive a very special registered invitation, please, e-mail me at info@anyacaliendo.com with the request and I will be happy to send you one. The number of Invitations left are limited!The event will be closed to the general public and only people of the industry will be allowed to visit the trade show.

 Yesterday, I have received more wonderful news, this time from my family back in Belarus - my sister Polina, after decade of numerous attempts was granted Visa and will join me in Paris to assist me with Collection.I have not seen her for almost 7 years and it is hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that I will finally see my darling Polina. Makes my heart sing. Will let you on a little secret: not only she will be coming  for a visit. The work on my new, very technical and visual Collection under the working title "Moskovita" is in progress and it is planned that Polina will collaborate with me on creating magnificent beaded veils for several hats of this new Collection.

With this beautiful fashion drawingsby Gruau, Jessica and unknown artist for Dior, I am wishing you wonderful week ahead!:-)

"Pink Jockey" Hat. :-)

 Happy 2012 everyone and I can hardly believe the first week of 2012 is almost over. I had to take some time off Blogging because of my extremely intense schedule. I hope all of you had the most wonderful Holiday Season and I hope that 2012 will bring you joy, prosperity and will make your every dream come true. I thought it would be a great idea to open 2012 with a new hat which I named "Pink Jockey".

 It is also a part of my "Les Enfants Terribles" Collection and will be travelling with me to Paris in less than 2 weeks. Had so much fun working on it and even more fun during our editorial photo shoot: you can see my model Madison can barely hold her beautiful smile back. "Pink Jockey" hat is made in a shape of  Equestrian helmet and pared with Chanel jacket. Love all this happy colors together.

I am wishing all fantastic weekend. For many it will still be in Holiday Spirits with Russian Orthodox Church celebrating Christmas.I want to wish Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates Orthodox Christmas! Check in back next Tuesday for a very special announcement, I am so excited to make it. :-)

Merry Chrsitmas To All! С Рождеством Христовым! :-)

 With this post (and with this hat!) I would like to wish all of you Merry Christmas! To all my friends in all corners of the world celebrating Christmas I wish love, prosperity and happiness. Let it be the most beautiful day with your family and loved once, reminding all of us that this is the day that holds all of us together.:-)

 I always feel powerful presence in my life but especially so around Christmas time. I feel it all around me with so many signs of love I am blessed to receive from the people in my life. They come in so many different shapes and forms: Christmas Cards from all around the globe, calls from people whose voices I almost forgot, unexpected wonderful guests in my Atelier, holiday dinners, lunches and even breakfasts with my wonderful friends and very special time with my family. :-)

 The name of this hat is "December Kiss", a perfect little hat to celebrate Christmas. :-))) And so, Merry Christmas to all of you, my wonderful, beautiful friends. I think Maria Fontaine said it the best: “Let's take a lesson from God in gift giving: His gift didn’t show us how powerful He was, how rich He was, or what good taste He had. His gift simply showed us that He loved us more than anything else in the world, and that He was willing to do whatever it took to make our lives wonderful.”

"Louboutin Lover". Parisian Version.

 Preparing for Premiere Classe Pret-a-Porte in January is by far not an easy task. In addition to my new Collection I have been specifically requested to bring several hats I have designed before and which had tremendous success in selling. One of the hats requested on demand is  "Louboutin Lover" the Parisian version of which you see on the picture above. Can you blame French for loving it? :-)))

 I am still in love with the old version of it ( you see it on this picture), but have to say, that the version I have designed for Premiere Classe is a little bit better in terms of both color combination and fabric composition.

 This hats is all about shape, color and detail. I had to use 9 different types of fabrics for this version of "Louboutin Lover" and I think the result is amazing! :-))) Can not wait to bring it to Paris.

 I hope all of you are enjoying your Holiday Season. :-) I know I do, although I am still far from being done shopping for Christmas  gifts. The problem with me not being able to leave comments is still very persistent and, at this point, I have decided that the new computer is must! Hopefully, with new settings I will, finally, be able to comment again.

With that, I am wishing you the most beautiful pre-Christmas week. :-))) Hoping that you are spending it with those you love, doing things you enjoy the most!

The "Lolita" Hat.

 Today I have decided to introduce you to another hat which was designed as a part of my "Les Enfants Terribles" Collection. Her name is "Lolita".  The hat was inspired my one of my most favorite books "Lolita" by Nabokov. It is encrusted with genuine pearls and colorful Swarovski crystals, delicate  and romantic, "Lolita" already stole hearts of many of my customers. "Lolita" will be travelling with me to Paris this January.

 There are several versions of the movie "Lolita" in existence but for me #1 version will always belong to Stanley Kubrick. Kubrick's "Lolita" had the most powerful attachment to the classic novel, despite the fact the Kubrick chose to change the order of events as it was written by Nabokov. The result was brilliant and I recommend Kubrick's "Lolita to all of you.

 Wishing everyone wonderful Holiday weekend , I can hardly believe that Christmas is almost here. I keep hoping for the first snow and white Christmas.:-)...

Nothing But Drama. My Top Favorite Hats Of 2011.

2011 was extraordinary year in terms of hats: hats broke all records in appearing in high fashion editorials, on global runways and made unforgettable appearances during so many social events. Here are my top 13 favorite hats of 2011:

#1 spot in my heart holds Natalia Vodianova who wore jeweled tiara draped with red tulle and red gown all designed by Valentino for her White Fairy Tale Love Ball. So sweet, she really looked like a Princess.

#2 favorite hat is held by Daphne Guinness. Nobody wears spectacular hats with high degree of drama like Mrs. Guinness. I thought that the hat she wore for the issue of "Muse" Magazine (I assume designed by Philip Treacy) proves my point enough.

#3 favorite hat is also worn by Ms. Guinness for White Fairy Tale Love Ball. She actually wore two hats for the same event. The second hat, fabulous top hat Ms. Guinness wore, you will see under #5

#4 A great example of creating volumes of pure Drama by twisting yards of French Veiling around your actual hairdo. Absolutely love it!

#5 Hat is worn by Ms. Guinness for the White Fairy Tale Love Ball

#6 Hat is designed by Tolentino.Fantastic work, pure millinery art in its greatest shape and form.

This # 7 hat-geometrical confection designed by Mr. Jones for Dior and here worn by Katy Perry.Simple shapes can create as much Drama as more complex designs.

#8 favorite hats was designed by legendary Cecil Beaton many many decades ago, but I thought I would include it in my post as a beautiful visit from the past into our present.

#9  - divine hat worn by Miriam Gonzalez Durandez for the Royal Wedding. One of the best hats of the Royal Wedding in my opinion.

#10 Favorite hats was created by Atelier Versace for Lady Gaga for the cover of Vanity Fair Magazine January 2012. Yes, I know, but technically, since we can enjoy this issue now, the hat belongs to top favorite list of 2012.

#11. "Armadillo Shoes" hat. This sweet tribute to late Alexander McQueen worn by the brave soul for September 2011 Fashion Wee in New York.

#12 Nothing creates more Drama ad mystery than delicate lace draped over the face - the point strongly proven by Olsen Twins photographed for Vogue's best dressed issue.

Finally, # 13, extraordinary "Swan" hats created by Mr. Jones for Giles Deacon.

So, here you have it: my choices for the best hats of 2011.Do you have your favorite hat of 2011? :-))) Please, share and let's hope that 2012 will give us more amazing hats, more beautiful designs and more new fantastic names in Millinery.
All photos are courtesy of Vogue.com, OXXO Magazine and Style.com.