MosFocus: Hello, Olga! At today’s event, you are performing as a headliner. Share your impressions — what is it like?
Olga Panteleeva: It’s incredibly pleasant! This means my nighttime efforts in creating headwear are not in vain. People notice, appreciate, and love my work. It is definitely a great honor and responsibility at the same time.
MosFocus: How did you come up with the idea of creating headwear specifically?
Olga Panteleeva: I come from a creative family. Although we have a military background, my father was engaged in wood carving, and my great-grandfather worked with Tsiolkovsky himself. It’s funny, but he participated in creating the best spinning wheel at a competition — they improved the mechanism overnight and even outperformed the French masters! This happened at the Polotniany Factory, right next to the Goncharov estate.
The creative genes have been passed on to me. I remember my father even made a special hat tree at our summer house, where we hung hats from different countries. Gradually, this passion grew into a desire to create my own models.
MosFocus: Your headwear is truly unique. For what occasions are they best worn?
Olga Panteleeva: My collection includes both unusual and classic models, but they all have their own flair. For example, my design — the transformer hat: with the help of zippers, it transforms from a fedora into a baseball cap, and then into a veiled hat.
Many of my works are created for theatrical productions and cinema. But I believe there should always be room for celebration and wonder in life. Of course, not everyone dares to step outside in an extravagant hat, but at special events, such accessories help create a unique atmosphere. When you believe in a fairy tale, it definitely happens!
MosFocus: Thank you for the interesting interview. We wish you creative success!
Photographer Skripkaru Alena