• Chanel fast food?? This is the most appetizing fast food I’ve seen in years. Karl Lagerfeld also just made me feel fat. I want it. Popgloss.com
• 60 Minutes is definitely airing the Anna Wintour piece they’ve been working on for the past six months this Sunday. And the news program just released the first footage of the editor in all of her glory, days away from the debut of the twelve-minute segment. NYMag.com
• Roberto Cavalli opened his first 30 million dollar nightclub in Dubai on Thursday, which boasts a restaurant, Swarovski crystals hanging from the ceiling, and furniture with animal-print upholstery, bonus features include a sushi bar and boutique selling jewelry, watches, and Cavalli’s favorite Italian food. FashionIndie.com

• Marion Cotillard might have earned an Oscar for her performance as Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose, but the actress is taking on a glamorous new cinematic challenge as part of her campaign as the face of the Lady Dior handbag. People.com
• Lady GaGa wore an orbiting head piece designed by the young milliner Nasir Mazhar on “The Ellen Degeneres Show” yesterday, a daring piece of daytime drama that deserves reflection. NYTimes.com

Russian born, Anya Caliendo is the epitome of old world romanticism with everything from her obsession with  black and white photos of royal families to her chosen profession of couture millinery.

Her creations are nothing short of spectacular pieces of wearable art that can instantly transform a woman.  And who wouldn’t feel transformed in those breathtaking hats she makes painstakingly by hand using traditional methods and only the finest of materials?

Her New York atelier must be filled to the brim (pun intended) with treasures destined to be worn by the city’s most elegant women.  In addition to making everyday wear hats she also designs for theatrical productions, fashion photoshoots and runway shows.

Here is a ten minute glimpse into the world of a modern day milliner with old world beauty. Enjoy!

Oligoville:How did you discover you wanted to be a milliner?

Anya: During my first visit to New York I found myself precisely in front of the Oscar de la Renta boutique. That moment marked the beginning of my love affair with Fashion. New York was unexplored territory, and I immediately fell in love with it. New York was incredibly generous to me and has opened the doors of the Parson School Of Design, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and many other brilliant exhibitions where I spent countless hours studying fashion design, the history of fashion, and attending numerous seminars and lectures. Ultimately, I discovered that my true passion lies in the field of millinery arts. My most treasured experience in studying the art of traditional millinery came from my long stay in Great Britain. There, I had the privilege of being taught by one of the most legendary names in the field of millinery arts, Mrs. Rose Cory. A brilliant lady who, as well as making hats for many eminent people and theatrical productions, created hats for Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

Oligoville: Whom or what inspires your designs?

Anya: My inspiration can come from anywhere, the list is endless. Old photographs, the cinema, a box of chocolates, colors of the fall, vintage gloves, books, french pastries, people, music, a rainy day. I live my life full of wonderful little inspirations and then put them into hats. There is a little story behind each and every hat in my collections.

Oligoville: Describe a typical day for you?

Anya: My life revolves around hats. I have the privilege of working out of my own millinery atelier old fashion style. I spend my days creating little creations for my clients and working on new collections. I design all my hats by hand only with extreme attention to every detail and to the highest standards of millinery art. It is often a very demanding and time consuming process. Despite the difficulties, I often find myself carried away and working from the very early hours into the evening. I spend my evenings and weekends with my family, visiting friends, taking weekend trips, going to Museums or Broadway.

Oligoville: Describe your fashion style to us.

I would describe my fashion style as a refined chic. I never deny myself the luxury of wearing a hat. Hats have an amazing power of transformation. The face of a lady becomes so much more beautiful when framed with the brim of a divine hat. It brings such an air of mystique, a sense of class and style.There is a hat style for all seasons, moments and occasions. It is an ultimate accessory.

Oligoville: Tell us about some unexpected setbacks you have faced since starting your business and what you learned from that.

I have been lucky enough so far not to suffer any negative experiences. I attribute it to the fact that I do not produce hats for mass consumers. Instead, I choose to make one of a kind creations that will live beyond fashion for a specific clientele.

Oligoville: What has been the most rewarding part of your career so far?

Anya: The process of each hat is a wonderful journey from the first sketch to the final result. My greatest sense of reward comes for the expression of  pure joy on my client’s faces when they open a beautiful hat box, and for the first time see the final result of what originally was a dream. There is nothing more special than that.

Oligoville: Tell us where you expect to see your business in the next 5 years and what are some goals that you have for your brand?

Anya: I have so many plans in mind! I would love to open my own boutique showroom somewhere in Manhattan. I would love to start producing hats for theatrical productions and runway shows. Finally, I am looking forward to bringing my brand to Fashion Week in New York.

Oligoville: What celebrity would you love to see your creations on?

Anya: I would love to create something very elegant for Chalize Theron.

Oligoville: What advice do you have for aspiring milliners out there?

Anya: I would advise to never be afraid of trying new color combinations, experimenting with fabric and texture, shape and volume. Never be afraid of your own imagination.

Oligoville: What song never fails to make you happy?

Anya: I enjoy many different genres in music. One of my all time favorite songs is ” Sous le Ceil de Paris” by Edit Piaf.

Music Playlist at MixPod.com