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Today I am thrilled to introduce to you another one of my very talented students, a gorgeous face behind "Ma Belle Mademoiselle", based in Orlando Florida, Elena. "Me Belle Mademoiselle" creates fabulous little hats for ladies and children - very rare combination in Millinery business and really a gold mine since every new mother wants to set an example for her daughter and every little daughter wants to follow it. :-) Elena's own daughter Ksusha (you see her on the second picture) is the best representation of this statement, in my opinion - a natural born model and an adorable example of tiny fashionista in love with hats. :-)
I have heard many different opinions on the subject of smaller hats, many tend to think that small hats are easy in production. I, on the other hand, think of small hats as the most difficult in terms of design. When you work with larger shapes, the shape itself is often enough to create a statement. Smaller hats are far more demanding and that is exactly where Elena shines like a star - the detailing on each and every one of the hats she creates, color combinations she uses, not to mention superb craftsmanship - it feels as if you are looking at a jewel. :-) I remember Elena in Class as one of the most inquisitive, talented, very detail oriented, with very clear directions student I have ever met. This and her sparkling personality. :-)))) I smile every time I think of Elena and so grateful to be her friend.
Before studding with me Elena worked on creating fabulous little knitted hats for babies and children. When I saw her work for the very first time, I was absolutely stunned by the beauty of each and every single piece. So much so that I picked up a pair of knitting needles, some yarn and, inspired by Elena, tried to teach myself how to knit. I have to say, I did very good and even managed to finish two hats (one in pink with flowers and one in navy blue), but not nearly as good as Elena! Since studding with me Elena is now working on expending her Millinery into several new directions. She has an overwhelming number of orders in production + she is working on her very first new Collection. You can find Elena's store right HERE.
Every time I see new hat from Elena, I feel like someone just handed me a box of chocolates. I think I ran out of words long time ago and all I can say is it is a true privileged to see Elena develop into superb milliner, with very clear vision, fantastic visual presentation and well deserved praise from her clients. My hat is off to you, Elena!!! :-)
I am leaving you with this amazing collection of millinery confections by Elena (what a great way to start my day!) All images in this post are photographed by Tamara Knight and Phelan M. Ebenhack. I hope you will enjoy every single one of them. :-)
Every now and again I like to share with you my inspiration points. :-) The Inspiration Board in my Atelier is always full of images, letters, swatches, tickets even and all things that usually inspire. This time is a bit different though:this time my inspiration comes from so many directions that even I find myself a bit confused. This past few weeks I spent working on the variety of very ethnic hats from Spanish Montera hat to multiple variations of Scottish Glengarry caps inspired by Walter Scott. I find myself drawn to the darker, edgier images, clean cut lines, monotone colors and at the same time find myself absolutely crazy about fuchsia and red, teal and deep raspberry color combinations.
I love to surround myself with beauty and if you are to walk in my Atelier right now the first thing you would notice is the giant (and I mean it) bouquet of fuchsia peonies. Every Spring Ray sends a fabulous bouquet of peonies and it always surprises me. The aroma of peonies fills the Atelier to the very ceiling it seems. Walking in first thing in the morning it is impossible not to get inspired. The second thing you would notice is hundreds of Swarovski crystals in an amazing array of colors. I needed a very specific pallet of crystals for one of the hats I am working on right now and was lucky enough to find them in France. Yellows and fuchsias, blues, greens with so-called glacier effect is one scene to behold!
A I am preparing to photograph editorial for my newest Collection, not a day goes by that Atelier doesn't receive packages coming from all over the globe with wardrobe and costumes and all sorts of different props. This is my 5th Collection, a mile stone of a sort and I intent to celebrate it in a very special way. Details of this celebration I will share with you a bit later. Today, I am leaving you with spectacular set of images that inspire me today. From Jean Paul Gaultier's feathered crown, to the creatures of the deep see and Dior Haute Couture, I hope it will inspire you as much as it inspires me. :-) Wishing everyone beautiful week ahead. :-)
All images are courtesy of Vogue.com, Kareva Margarita, Inez Van Lamsweerde, Armani Couture.
I thought of blogging about the hats of "The Little Black Jacket Exhibition" for a long time but somehow just never managed to do it. The exhibition traveled the Globe last year and became one of the most talked about events in fashion photography. The exhibition was created by Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld and consisted of the photographs of famous people wearing Chanel's little black jacket styled in the variety of ways and photographed in black and white only. I loved the aesthetics of the photo shoot, the drama of it and, of course, hats and head pieces that were used to create a reference, a connection to the original idea. I have several favorites pictures in the series: I adore image featuring Carine Roitfeld and Natalia Vodyanova, I thought that the entire look was about their personality, I did not feel any disconnect between what they were wearing and the character.
When "The Little Black Jacket" traveled to Russia, buro24/7 decided to welcome what is now a legendary Exhibition by styling their own photo shoot as an independent addition. I loved every single image of it (4 last photographs of this post). The idea that one single piece of clothing can be styled in such a variety of ways, with some being subtle and some very dramatic, creating possibilities for every mood is beyond attractive. I am convinced that it is not how you wear the jacket itself but what kind of hat you wear with the jacket creates a stunning result. So, in the end, it is always about a hat! The exhibition became a beautiful illustration to this statement in my opinion.So which image is your favorite?
Leaving you with the selected images of The Exhibition and wishing everyone wonderful weekend and a very Happy Mother's Day! :-)
Today I have decided to post about the work of my phenomenal sister Polina who, as you may know, until recently worked in Bolshoi Theater of Ballet, costume production studios. The work on new production of legendary "Nutcracker" began months ago and promised to be one of the main events of the Ballet Season.The new version of "Nutcracker" was produced by the amazing choreographer Alexandra Tikhomirova . In addition, one of the world famous artists Yuri Kuper, whose work kept in the greatest museums of the world, from Tretiakov Gallery to Metropolitan Museum of Art, contributed to the tremendous success of new production by designing beautiful costumes and background sets for the stage.
Polina shared with me that once she saw preliminary sketches of "Nutcracker", she new she is out for a ride. While the production of such a large number of costumes is always a great effort of the entire team of professionals, Polina had her work cut out for her. She was responsible for the tedious task of "crystallizing" every single costume: embroidering each an every one of them with Swarovski crystals, placing tiny little stones exactly were they were suppose to be for the maximum effect on stage, powdering costumes with gold dust, creating shapes and beading them to make sure that the magic on stage is real. The techniques she brought into production has never been implemented before by the costume production studios of the Theater.What impressed me the most is the fact that Polina did not have any help doing it, she beaded, embroidered, gold dusted not only the costumes for the stage performance but also so called "spares" which are kept in case of the main costume "injury". Tremendous amount of work, maddening hours, months of labor of love. All of it payed of on the day of the Premiere when the new version of "Nutckracker" opened to the fantastic reviews.
The new "Nutcracker" was so beautifully done, that some officials decided to enhance the truth by stating that the costumes were produced by the seamstresses invited from overseas. None of them, of course, as it usually happens, bothered to give credit to the name of my sister (Polina Kolesnikova) and all those who worked countless hours on production of what is now proclaimed to be "the pride and glory" of the stage.
After the premiere of "Nutcracker" Polina decided to leave Bolshoi Theater of Ballet in Minsk and now opened her new company named "Vertigo" which specializes in beading and embroidery. As soon as the website will be available I, of course, will share it with you. I am so tremendously proud of my baby sister! :-)))). Her talent is absolutely unique and she is looking forward to the future contracts with various ballet companies and costume designers.
I am wishing everyone fantastic Tuesday and hope you enjoy the rest of the images from the new production of "Nutcracker". All images are courtesy of citydog.by and courtesy of my sister Polina who snapped couple of images while in production. :-)
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