5 Minutes 5 Questions: Mrs. Chaplin

I adore Olympia Le-Tan clutches (the workmanship is amazing), but not the price tag unfortunately.  Check them out on Net-a-porter. I found a wonderful lady on Etsy, by the name of Tatiana Kononova. Her shop, Mrs. Chaplin sells handcrafted clutch purses for a fraction of the price.

Through our interactions, I asked her if I could interview her. Here is 5 questions/5 minutes with Mrs. Chaplin herself, the talented, Tatiana Kononova.

1) How long have you lived in Moscow?

For almost 30 years now as (I was born here).

2) How did you start making clutches?

I came across an Olympia Le-Tan clutch in some fashion magazine and really fell in love with the idea. After a shock from seeing its price had passed I started thinking whether there was a way I could make something similar myself. I googled some DIYs but wasn’t entirely happy with the final results they offered. So I decided I should come up with my own method. I had some sewing experience before but frankly speaking it was the first time I tried embroidery)) The first clutch I made was a Russian translation of a Tove Jansson’s book called “What’s next?” (which actually reflected my mood at the time as I was between jobs). It wasn’t flawless but all my friends were amazed when they saw it and suggested I should start a small book-clutch business. I thought “Why not?”).

3) What is your favourite thing about embroidery clutches for people around the world?

I’ve always loved books and not only just reading them – simply holding them in my hands felt a little bit like magic. Now I like looking for interesting covers that I think might look nice as clutches. Transferring a picture onto a canvas with felt and thread is kind of a challenge but really exciting one. And of course it’s very inspiring to know that people from so many different countries are interested in my work.

4) How did you come up with your shop name, Mrs. Chaplin?

I wish I had a nice story about this but the truth is that I simply don’t remember where it came from) I recall that when I was setting up my iPhone a couple of years ago I needed to name it somehow for the account settings and Mrs.Chaplin was a first thought from the top of my head. How I came up with it is still a mystery to me.

5) Name three characteristics (in no particular order) on your Love List? (characteristics or qualities you are looking for in a potential mate or your current mate)

I guess these would be:
– intelligence (I think this is the main quality for two people to have something to talk about if they decide to be together for the entire life and not just for one night);
– tolerance (I can be a real pain in the ass sometimes and I’m grateful to my husband that he is usually wise enough to let my craziness slide without starting an unnecessary fight);
– love of life (I am a kind of person who enjoys simple pleasures in life like finding another good restaurant or seeing an interesting movie. My husband is pretty much the same so it helps us not get bored by the daily routine).

ELENA:)

5 Minutes 5 Questions: Anthony Garcia

My awesome makeup for my shoot was done by Anthony at Pucker. He was amazing! So amazing in fact – he attended the MET Ball tonight!

Here is 5 minutes/5 questions with the talented artist, Anthony Garcia:

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1) How long have you lived in New York? 

– I have lived in New York for two years from Pasadena, CA

2) What is your favourite makeup product and why? 

– My favorite makeup product to use on clients has to be a illuminating highlighter because it creates a beautiful glow and luminous finish which makes your skin appear to be younger.

3) When did you start doing make up?

– I’ve always been an artist and I picked up makeup while doing theater. I was late in signing up for a drama course and the only way to be a part of the production that semester was to take a costume and makeup course. I learned a lot from the class and learned that I was actually good at makeup. It’s always been another way of expressing my love for art and perfection.

4) Tell me about your favourite characteristic of a person’s face and why.

– I would have to say the eyes. I feel like a woman’s eyes can always be dressed up or down with very little effort. I like emphasis on the lashes for daytime and a darker crease for that sultry eye.

5) Name three characteristics (in no particular order) on your Love List? (characteristics or qualities you are looking for in a potential mate or your current mate).

– My wife definitely needs to be confident, loving and humble.

ELENA:)
 

5 Minutes 5 Questions: Jen Reiher (Flytographer)

These are my two favourite Flytographer shots. The first is from my Paris Flytographer shoot with Pierre Torset from February. The second picture is from Johnny Wolf in New York in April.

I decided I had to interview with Jen Reiher, who is the shoot concierge for Flytographer. Totally organized and personable – you are definitely in great hands when you book a shoot. I should know 😉

Here is 5 minutes/ 5 questions with the lovely Jen Reiher.

1) How long have you lived in Victoria?
My entire life – minus a GAP year spent volunteering in the UK. It’s hard to imagine leaving Victoria! It’s the perfect size, has an amazing food scene and the weather is the best in Canada!
2) What are your top three favourite cities in the world to visit?
So far? Budapest, Hungary; Seoul, Korea & Portland, Oregon. However… since starting to work for Flytographer the top 3 places on my ‘to visit’ list are Placencia, Belize; Lisbon, Portugal & Cancun, Mexico!
3) What is your must need travel accessory?
A very timely question… I’m travelling to Vegas for the first time in a few weeks and just starting to pack my bags and the one thing I need to find still is a great hat…! It’s a super important accessory for fashion as well as practicality for sunny destinations, but in winter a toque is a pretty classic Canadian accessory, too.
4) What’s the best part of reviewing all the pictures from all the photographers around the world?
Just how many authentically magical moments our photographers capture! I always get a little bit chocked up when I’m uploading the photo sets because the personalities and emotions just leap out of the screen. I think this is because we are capturing such meaningful moments and connections between people and places like anniversaries, honeymoons (or second honeymoons!), engagements, birthdays & bucket list trips.
5) Name three characteristics on your Love List? (Qualities that you look for in a potential mate/or your mate has already)
This was basically the gist of my wedding vows…

  1. Nerdiness: My husband and I started talking because we are both Mac nerds, and we’ve never stopped sharing geekery with each other.
  2. Adaptability: openness to change, and the ability to grow together is so key to me to long-term happiness in relationships! I am definitely not the same as I was when I met my husband 10 years ago, and neither is he, but we have definitely grown together and changed each other in small ways for the better.
  3. Compatibility yet independence : My husband and I are a great team, but we are not inseparable… it is so important to have passions to pursue outside of each other! It gives us things to talk about together if nothing else… 🙂

ELENA:)

5 Minutes 5 Questions: Johnny Wolf

I had tons of fun with the wonderful Johnny Wolf, who was my NYC Flytographer. We walked along the High line and then we took it to the streets for more pictures and Artichoke pizza.  

This is 5 minutes/5 questions with photographer, Johnny Wolf:

1) How long have you lived in New York? 

All of my life! 

2) What is your favourite thing about being behind the camera?

It removes my self awareness.  I’m generally more of an introvert, but with a camera in my hands, I become much more outgoing and have no trouble directing people and being the center of attention.  The interactions I have and connections I make with people are wonderful!

3) Where is your favourite location in New York to take pictures?

Dumbo, Brooklyn.

4) What is your single best piece advice for aspiring photographers?

Take risks and push yourself outside of your comfort zone.  I’ve found that I learn a lot more from failures than I do from making a good picture.

5) What are the top three characteristics on your Love List (characteristics or qualities you are looking for in a potential mate or your current mate)?

Strong, independent, selfless.  And warm.  And goofy.  Wait, did you say three?

ELENA:)

Flytographer shoot in NYC

Here is another Flytographer shoot I did in NYC for The Love List. This time the photographer was Johnny Wolf and I went for more of a rocker chic look. I went shopping at Zimmermann and found this great dress and coupled it with these Dior shoes, an All Saints leather jacket and pearls from Henri Bendels.

ELENA:)

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