A Lifetime of Hat Affairs. In search of the perfect hat. Design Spotlight Anya Caliendo Couture Milliner

It all started with a simple engineers hat when I was two years old.    I was so enamored I refused to take my hats off and, all hell would break loose if my parent's tried.  They literally had to hold my hats over my head to wash my hair.  No joke.

I loved going to Church because many "ladies" still wore hats.

Unfortunately, I think my mother wished she could have duct taped 

my mouth shut with my never ending commentary and exclamation.

You know, like "Mom, Mom, look Mom.  Why don't you get a

hat like that one?  Can you see it Mom?  The lady over there...."

Christmas was pretty bad but, Easter; Easter was the worst.

A Christmas hat from my sister many many years ago.

In near mint condition. I'm not really a red fan unless it's just the right shade.

 

Easter bonnets were my favorites.

Sales women were happy to oblige placing grown up hats on my head.
It let my mother shop for her own with less interruption.

My new hat's had to be modeled for everyone.

Complete with my new gloves on so the hat didn't get dirty.

 The gloves were another story. I have a lot of those too.

I had hoped someday to look as chic as the people in the movies.

Not a chance.  Then, or now.

My adoration of hats subsided as I grew older.

When I started wearing them again.  It became an inquisition

of what hat would I be wearing to such and such event or meeting.

One of the hat's I no longer wear but have held onto.

Wedding invitations with special notes....

"You are wearing a hat to my wedding aren't you?"

When my wearing of hats subsided once again.
I packed up a handful and gave away the rest.

Then out of the blue a few years ago, I started wearing them now 
and again. Before I knew it, a new collection was beginning to grow.
Including some vintage hats.

Nautical flair; of course.

Jackie O style in white straw

Before I continue to bore you with more of my poorly 

photographed collection, let me introduce you 

to a most wonderful Milliner, Anya Caliendo

I found Anya via A Gift Wrapped Life and find myself 

smiling at the screen recalling the days of my church antics 

and hat shopping with my mother.

Anya is one of the few keeping the fine art of Millinery alive.

 

Her hats are made by hand and have been purchased by women

as far as France, Russia and Australia to name a few.

A quote by Coco Chanel adorns the windows of

Anya's New York Couture Atelier

"I consider a woman undressed 

if she does not wear perfume, gloves and a hat"

Recently Anya announced a giveaway of one of her

 gloriously colored summer fedoras.

It is no surprise, I was head over heels for the turquoise.

Yet, the pink has me totally smitten.  Like in Bermuda beaches pink.

Anya likes wearing hers with jeans for running errands.

I think it's perfect to wear while having a glass of wine dockside.

I liked it so much I've put it on a wish list for an upcoming occasion. 

You can visit Anya at her Atelier in New York state.

or view her collections online

Do take a moment for a lovely virtual tour here.