It may sound like a cliché, but my clients are my biggest inspiration for me! I’m a huge fan of art, theatre, jazz concerts, and tango! These are the things which make me feel alive and happy! Many of my clients are stage performers, creative people from the LGBTQ+ community who like to look eccentric, provocative, and glamorous. Watching them perform on stage — seeing how my fashion accessories complete their looks, making them feel confident, proud, and authentic — is priceless!
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact,” I had the pleasure of interviewing Alona Logvinenko, a Siberian-born custom hat and accessory designer with Ukrainian roots. Now based in New York City, Alona debuted her collection at New York Fashion Week 2020, where her hats were worn by both Miss Universe and Miss Ukraine. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Alona has supported anti-war efforts using her millinery art.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path and point in your life?
I have worked in the fashion and art sectors all my life, surrounded by creative and stylish people. At some point, I began to focus on fashion accessories, as they can totally transform one’s look and style! A basic black dress can go from simple to extraordinary when paired with a fuchsia fascinator. A metallic bracelet has the power to energize any outfit.
I began by creating custom hats on which I painted interesting, one-of-a-kind prints. My arty friends took notice and became my first clients. Living in Istanbul, Turkey, at the time, I decided to formally learn millinery, traveling to a country where I had never been before. I chose the United States of America because of the considerable internship opportunities available and The American Milliners Guild, of which I’m now a proud member.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
I had just arrived in New York City and was doing my first internship at a very well-known, old-school milliner. She was teaching us how to make hats and I was charmed by my new knowledge and experience. One day, she mentioned that magazine editors would be coming by to choose some items for a fashion shoot. I was totally speechless when I later saw the hat — which I had originated — being modeled by Gigi Hadid in Vogue. It was a sign for me that I was going in the right direction.
Can you describe how you or your organization is making a significant social impact?
I often describe my hats as wearable art. I want to bring elegance to the masses and show that by being elegant and classy you also can look sexy, stylish, and fashionable. But I also use my hats to make wearable protests. I recently participated in an international competition where I created a hat which was a reflection on the Texas law banning abortion after six weeks of pregnancy with no exceptions for rape or incest. All of the materials of the hat were colored pink, in combination with heart-shaped stones representing the feminine nature and motherhood. The metal chain wrapped around symbolized the fragility of women’s rights.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
This has been very difficult time for me as a Russian with Ukrainian roots. My best friends and godchild are Ukrainian. I’ve supported them and helped them to escape from the war to safe places. I designed a collection of hats and accessories — mostly in the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag — then donated the profits to Ukrainian refugees. Blue and yellow are fashionably timeless. I believe that the fashion world should recognize blue and yellow as the most fashionable colors of the year.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
I want to attract people’s attention to female alopecia. Many of my customers have experienced hair loss. Some milliners have personally found their way to hat designing because of that disease. Hopefully with the help of The American Milliners Guild, I’d like to organize charity events on a regular basis to support women who are experiencing this autoimmune condition — which can affect the hair on your scalp, eyebrows or anywhere on your body. I want all women to find their way to feeling beautiful and confident.
On the other hand, I don’t want people to forget that there are more than 10 million Ukrainian refugees, mainly women and kids, who had to leave their homes and live at refugee camps all around the world. With the support of the Ukrainian government, the online marketplace “Made With Bravery” — https://shop.brave.ua — was created. This website allows people to purchase local goods directly from Ukraine. These include many handmade items, as well as those manufactured by small Ukrainian businesses.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, more than half of the country’s estimated 7.5 million child population have been forced to leave their homes. LELEKA — https://leleka.me — is a non-profit website where people can explore and buy the artwork created by Ukrainian children. LELEKA lets young artists from Ukraine sell printable versions of their art, which is very cute and affordable. Recognition and support of these little artists will help them to feel better while facing adult problems.
Are you working on any new or exciting projects now? How do you think this might help people?
My hats are debuting in a movie! I’m super excited about it! Directed by New York-based Belarusian director Anastasiya Sergienya, the working title of the movie is You and I. It will be shot at a gorgeous, gilded-age mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, using an old film camera. I’m a big fan of antiques, vintage and, of course, mansions and palaces! So, the whole filming process sounds very expiring and promising. I’ll be on location! The idea behind the project is to remind people that even in the darkest times, there is still love. Looking ahead, plans are to submit this short experimental movie for presentation at the Sundance Film Festival for audiences to discover and celebrate.
What you are doing is not easy. What inspires you to keep moving forward?
It may sound like a cliché, but my clients are my biggest inspiration for me! I’m a huge fan of art, theatre, jazz concerts, and tango! These are the things which make me feel alive and happy! Many of my clients are stage performers, creative people from the LGBTQ+ community who like to look eccentric, provocative, and glamorous. Watching them perform on stage — seeing how my fashion accessories complete their looks, making them feel confident, proud, and authentic — is priceless!
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
As a Russian with Ukrainian roots, I’ve used my CUSTOM HATS ART brand to stand with Ukraine. I’ve actively taken part in anti-war protests since the beginning of the Russian invasion. I donated the profit of my 2022 Spring-Summer Collection to Ukrainian refugees. Additionally, I actively support my Ukrainian friends who have had to move from Ukraine to Germany to escape the war. Now, because of my activism, I’m not able to go back to my country anymore. There is a 5 to 15 year prison sentence for those who protest and make it obvious in public and on social media.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
I use “A rolling stone gathers no moss” a lot. You see, when I was younger, I always thought that talent, vision, and creativity were the keys to success. Now I think that determination, hard work, and discipline may be even more important. Sometimes creative people can be very chaotic, sensitive, and affected by depression or criticism. Some people are struggling from laziness or have a lot of fantastic ideas but have problems beginning or being consistent in the work process. In that case, determination and discipline are the keys to success.
But there are two things you should care about. First, you should be careful not to burn out. The second most important thing is timing. If you work hard on your project and do your best for two years but there is no visible improvement in your journey … than you should probably try something else. Or at least totally change the concept or structure of your business.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
I would be enormously happy if I got a chance to meet Ellen DeGeneres and her charming wife, Portia de Rossi. Living abroad, I always watched The Ellen DeGeneres Show together with my friends. We learned a lot about American culture, society, and values from the celebrities she interviewed, audience participation games, and the “real” people whose extraordinary stories and talents she spotlighted.
Each time after watching her talk show, I was inspired with this melting feeling of kindness and willingness to help people, be a better person AND achieve something. There is no need to say how funny she is with her facial impressions! I don’t know as much about Portia, but she looks intelligent, elegant, stylish, very pure, and charming. I think it would be amazing to witness the sweet dynamic between this cute couple and express my words of appreciation to them personally.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
https://www.instagram.com/customhats.art/
https://www.tiktok.com/@customhats.art
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Alona Logvinenko of CUSTOM HATS ART Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.