Thursday, May 20, 2010

Featured Artist Anna - RetroReproHandmade


What could be greater then to meet someone very talented and wonderful? I am honor to feature my first artist/designer on my blog. Please read her interview and visit her shops for more spectacular designs. Please also don’t forget to enter for her wonderful giveaway.

http:// RetroReproHandmade.etsy.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/whoknowswear

- Tell us a bit about yourself.
I'm Anna; I grew up and live in Italy. I work in the costumes department o the Opera Theater of Como as a costume designer and seamstress; my main interests are about history of costume and fashion. I love movies, boos, animals, black and white photos, traveling as much as I can.

-What are your inspirations?
I like mixing new and old, new fabrics to old styles, contemporary tastes to retro patterns. My inspiration comes from the past, 1920s, 1950s, from period costumes I work with, from portraits of great ladies like Audrey Hepburn, Louise Brooks, Frida Kahlo or from the paintings by Tamara deLempicka. The composed elegance of oriental fashion inspires through its geometry and bright colors. I believe that creativity can be kept alive and fresh by following the rules on one side of creation (cutting and sewing), and being totally outlaw on others (choosing and assembling styles).




-How did you become involved with fashion?
I got started during university as an apprentice in a fashion atelier where I made my first steps in cutting and sewing. Then I kept practicing to improve my skills and even though since then all my efforts were about making costumes for theater, I always thought I could do something to play my little role in fashion, so here I am with my hats and clothes.

- Tell us a bit about your Etsy shops.
Being on Etsy is the ideal dimension: it allows you to try and see what you can do, even having no idea on how to put up a website. It lets you show off our skills and ideas to people, and you can meet who motivates and support from far away your little home-work. It means a lot to me. My shops are my window on the world: people can write and comment on my creations, giving me positive or negative feedback. I keep listening, to improve what I offer and how I offer it. Customers coming back to buy more or buying for gifts are a pride and a warrant to me!





- What advice would you give to future designers?
Have fun. If you do, it's hard to make mistakes. Have fun crafting and making things that people can enjoy. Fashion and creativity are something you can play with, in my opinion, and as long as the game is funny, you can't get enough...

- Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself doing multiple jobs, just like now. I like working with theater, cinema, fashion, design, university studies and individual creation. I hope I can keep following all these different examples of artistic expressivity, as well as I hope to travel more to foreign countries, which is always the best way to learn and experience about yourself and what's around you.
- Share an interesting fact about yourself
I have an attraction for northern landscapes. Last year I visited Iceland, and in July I'll be traveling to Svalbard Islands, Norway. I would love to see Alaska and Canada, also. I like to see how cold weather rules and shapes landscapes and lifestyles, and the colors you enjoy in these places are so unique...




This beautiful apparels from Anna's second shop on Etsy. Please visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/whoknowswear for more great designs.

***GIVEAWAY***

Anna was so generous to offer her big seller item for her giveaway “TURQUOISE CLOCHE with double brim”. If you want to be a lucky winner please follow the steps. It is pretty simple!


1-1 1- Please visit her etsy shop(s) and post a comment under this post with the LINK of your favorite item from her shop and please don't forget to add your e-mail address.

http:// RetroReproHandmade.etsy.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/whoknowswear

2- 2- Please follow my blog.

The giveaway is open to any country and will end on June 6 at midnight! The winner will be chosen using http://www.random.org/

55 comments:

toosis said...

Wow I think her hats are amazingly gorgeous. I fallow your blog and Anna's lovely shop is one of my favorites already.
I have so many favorites but this one is one of the loveliest...
PALE PINK HAT with back grey swirls
http://www.etsy.com/listing/44702533/pale-pink-hat-with-back-grey-swirls

Bests,
Pinar S.

Meltem said...

Thank you so much Hilal for sharing with us this amazing fashion designer. I love her two shops! Very hot hats and dresses. I love that CURLY CLOCHE IN BURGUNDY WITH BLUE RIBBON http://www.etsy.com/listing/19929067/curly-cloche-in-burgundy-with-blue?ref=v1_other_2

Thank you!

Periay said...

I love all the hats..Anna is the best designer about the hat and her fashion..Thank you for sharing this interview Hilal..

My favourites are alls:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/34366288/pale-pink-cloche-hat

Kind Regards from Istanbul
Ayperi

Sema Gurerk- Floweredsky Jewelry said...

OMG, I love Anna's both shops. They are extremely stylish and beautiful. I love every one of her pieces. But my favorite is:
BLACK CLOCHE HAT with ribbon
Hilal , thank you very much for sharing this wonderful artist with us.
Best of,
Sema

Ayşe Tuğrul said...

she is really great artist PALE PINK CLOCHE HAT is so sweet also.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/34366288/pale-pink-cloche-hat
Thank you so much for your shairing
lots of love

AYSE

Dreamy Vintage said...

Great interview and a wonderful artist! This hat is my fave http://www.etsy.com/listing/29898240/ivory-knot-hat

Thank you :)

Dawn of LaTouchables said...

I love her style...it's avant garde and I wouldn't mind having that pair of trousers. Stunning!

Catherine said...

I really like this bright blue top...
http://www.etsy.com/listing/45278045/bright-blue-top-3-ways-to-wear

catherineh_78@yahoo.com

Catherine said...

And I follow your blog. :)

catherineh_78@yahoo.com

Victoria Webb said...

A great fashion sense that combines retro and modern. Simplicity is always in fashion;

The Little Black Simple hat; http://www.etsy.com/listing/39965445/little-black-simple-hat

TopHat said...

I like the Little Black Hat!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/19929028/little-black-hat

hrfarley at gmail dot com

jc said...

Love the Lilac Apron Skirt, so stylish and in such a feminine sweet color! Thanks for the giveaway.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/45280764/lilac-apron-skirt-many-ways-to-wear-it

yumihamano@gmail.com

jc said...

I follow, thank you.

yumihamano@gmail.com

mia said...

Mmmm, love the style of this:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/45282263/vibrant-green-silk-shirt

piecesofthesky[at]gmail[dot]com

mia said...

I am following your blog!

piecesofthesky[at]gmail[dot]com

Amber said...

This Curly Cloche in Burgundy is my favorite: http://www.etsy.com/listing/21381000/curly-cloche-hat-in-burgundy

And I follow your blog too!

Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(ata)gmail(dot)com

Samy said...

I follow your blog and I love- http://www.etsy.com/listing/45281684/lilac-silk-top-3-ways-to-wear-it

samyrocks92 at msn dot com

Sarah Siwicki said...

I also love the Grey Knot Hat (http://www.etsy.com/listing/20056180/grey-hat-with-knot?ref=v1_other_2) and the Yellow and White Silk Apron Skirt (http://www.etsy.com/listing/45281379/yellow-and-white-apron-silk-skirt)...the giveaway hat is amazing, that color blue is perfect!!!
monkeychild92 at gmail dot com
(I'm a blog follower too!)

steinschmuckdesign said...

Oh wow,
I adore both Shops!!!!
Love Silk anyway:)
Fantastic designs with such stunning Photos!

adore this Hat
http://www.etsy.com/listing/29898240/ivory-knot-hat

and this silk Skirt!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/45281379/yellow-and-white-apron-silk-skirt

Thanks so much for sharing!!!!
michele(at)stein-schmuck.net

Unknown said...

I love this one:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/28800181/purple-little-hat

I know this brand, wonderful pieces!

Naomi

mariko.koda@gmail.com

Sharon said...

Such great designs - I love the embellishment on this one!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/21557774/silver-grey-little-hat

yepfinleywedding at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Lovely items! c: My favorite is this one - http://www.etsy.com/listing/15304832/brown-hat-with-back-simple-bow

vesipisaroita [at] gmail [dot] com

Cabootique said...

I love this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/29898240/ivory-knot-hat.

carethediva[at]hotmail[dot]com

Shebbodesign said...

WOW! Super interview and a wonderful designs! This hat is my fave http://www.etsy.com/listing/29898240/ivory-knot-hat

thanks so much :)
Shebbo

Linda Kish said...

I like the ivory little hat found at
http://www.etsy.com/listing/28835045/ivory-little-hat


lkish77123 at gmail dot com

free indeed said...

I like this little number: http://www.etsy.com/listing/19929067/curly-cloche-in-burgundy-with-blue

Her models for the hats are great! My daughter is a hat person...I look horrible in hats so I would gift this to her.

freeindeed at myfairpoint dot net

afra said...

very amazing artist..i have many favorites from her shop..
i love your blog hilal..thank you for sharing..:)

fisiwoman said...

I love IVORY LITTLE HAT. Enter me please!


Ana Belén R.M
fisiwoman(at)hotmail.com
Spain

WCA Yash Travel said...

i love the DOUBLE FACE TOP, 3 WAYS TO WEAR

she is so amazing, i love her design

black11angel at yahoo dot com

IKABAGS said...

Her hats and handmade job is stunning !

It's avant garde !
lOVE THIS ON E:)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/45278045/bright-blue-top-3-ways-to-wear

feyzadem@hotmail.com
www.ikabags.etsy.com

Unknown said...

I like the BROWN HAT WITH TWO CURLS.
jswandrn at gmail

paper in style said...

I love green shirt from her shop!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/45282263/vibrant-green-silk-shirt

Meltem said...

Creative blogger award for you! Here
http://breezybead.blogspot.com/2010/05/kreative-blogger-award.html

Heather P said...

I'm a new blog follower and I love the pale pink cloche hat

http://www.etsy.com/listing/34366288/pale-pink-cloche-hat?ref=v1_other_2

An email address you can reach me at if I win is contests4h@gmail.com

:)

Zertuchina said...

I've been wanting one of her hats forever, or all of her hats...my fave is http://www.etsy.com/listing/28831008/beige-hat-with-curls

liz said...

hi, i am in lovey with http://www.etsy.com/listing/28831008/beige-hat-with-curls

i am your follower

email me :)
liz_crowny@yahoo.com
pintaliztiirene.blogspot.com

thankies for helding this giveaway

Anks said...

The Burgundy Cloche with Blue ribbon is such a cute hat...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/19929067/curly-cloche-in-burgundy-with-blue

This one totally takes the cake among the many lovely designs she has...

Unknown said...

I am your follower.
I love the Pink Hat with Brims!!

sturberry @ gmail.com

Ronnie said...

I love all the items but my fave is the BLACK PILLBOX WITH BRIM AND BACK SWIRL:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/39965625/black-pillbox-with-brim-and-back-swirl

I love the shape and look to it!

Ronit
internationalgiveaways[at]gmail[dot]com
http://www.internationalgiveaways.com

Ronnie said...

Oh, by the way your giveaway was listed on my site!

Here's the direct link:
http://www.internationalgiveaways.com/2010/05/cloche-with-double-brim-from.html

If you happen to have any other internationally open giveaways, I'd love to hear about them!

Thanks,

Ronit
internationalgiveaways[at]gmail[dot]com
http://www.internationalgiveaways.com

Damla said...

I follow (follower name is Damla).
I like the DOUBLE FACE TOP, 3 WAYS TO WEAR: http://www.etsy.com/listing/45278823/double-face-top-3-ways-to-wear

annabell_lee_dk (at) yahoo.com

Jenny Bolech said...

I'm a new follower and here is my favorite hat!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/34366288/pale-pink-cloche-hat

I love that it is simple, and pink but not toooo pink :)

All of the hats are amazing, they look so great!

jenny.maurer84 at gmail dot com

Elena Rudaya said...

I love the CURLY, LITTLE, PINK hat

http://www.etsy.com/listing/28799304/curly-little-pink

queen-of-pain(AT)yandex(DOT)com

Elena Rudaya said...

And I am your follower

queen-of-pain(AT)yandex(DOT)com

Ľubaša said...

I love Curly Cloche in Burgundy with Blue Ribbon
http://www.etsy.com/listing/19929067/curly-cloche-in-burgundy-with-blue
lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

Ľubaša said...

Blog follower
lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/28831500/curly-little-grey?ref=v1_other_1

love that
rinei.martiani@gmail.com

Unknown said...

i follow your blog
rinei.martiani@gmail.com

Cryssloves said...

I love the knot hat in burgundy!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/39513317/knot-hat-in-burgundy

crystalmarieporter at gmail dot com

cornelio03 said...

I love this Beige Hat With Curls http://www.etsy.com/listing/28831008/beige-hat-with-curls

cornelio.mallare AT gmail.com

Jen from SewnNatural said...

LOVE her hats! Especially the curly, little grey one - the shape and the color are amazing http://www.etsy.com/listing/28831500/curly-little-grey

Thanks!

Jen from SewnNatural said...

And I'm a follower!

Warmly
Jen

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