Ana Pribylova: A Head Of Her Time

I sometimes have to pinch myself to remember this started just three years ago in Cairns.

Ana Pribylova is one of the original members of the Oasis family. Since her headpieces appeared in the launch issue back in August 2014, Ana’s star has shone bright. We recently caught up with Ana, to celebrate her skyrocketing success and endless achievements.

“It was just a hobby! As a social worker living in Cairns, I loved to delve into hat making. Amateurs 2014, I wanted a hat and wanted it to be original. I designed a paper hat for a competition and I won.

Soon afterwards, I was asked to supply some pieces for a fashion shoot for a soon-to-be launched magazine. I can’t tell you how happy I was to see my design on the front cover of Oasis Magazine! I actually still have laminated copies on display in my London studio today.”

“In 2015, I ticked off a bucket list item and attended to the Dubai World Cup. There, I was named Longines Most Elegant Lady from over 500 international contestants.

This was around the same time we decided to take a leap of faith, and move to the UK, where I could focus on my Millinery.

Just five days after arriving, I attended Epsom Races, wearing a hat I finished stitching on the flight! For some reason, it amazed the UK racing fashion audience, and I placed in the Top 5 Best Dressed that day. I was still jet lagged!

I had a lot of enquiries from that day. It was the best advertising I could do!”

Longines Most Elegant Lady 2015 - Dubai World Cup

www.oasismagazine.com.au

“To improve my craft, I studied at the London College of Fashion, and interned with UK’s leading Milliners. I learned the fine art of traditional millinery and modern techniques. I also won Best Hat at Kempton Park Ladies Day. Needless to say, my first year in the UK was a massive learning curve.

I came back to Australia in November 2015 for the Melbourne Cup, where I placed in the Top 10 Milliners in Australia.”

I returned to Dubai in 2016, this time flying from my new home in London. I was commissioned to make a hat which went on to win Runner- Up Best Dressed. And I won Best Hat. I was ecstatic!”

“At the Epsom Derby in 2016, I placed again in the Top 5 Best Dressed, and the following morning, after a full day of racing, I woke up to see my face on the covering half of the front page of The Times.”

Longines Most Elegant Lady 2015 - Dubai World Cup

www.oasismagazine.com.au

“At 2017 London Hat Week, I was so very happy to be selected for the House of Ikons, who represent emerging designers. 800 people attended!

And I’ve just returned from this years Dubai World Cup where I was asked to exhibit 25 pieces at the Meydan Hotel - the longest hotel in the world. Dubai holds a special place in my heart; some very happy memories in my career happened there.”

Best Hat and Runner up Lady - Dubai World Cup 2016

www.oasismagazine.com.au

“I sometimes have to pinch myself to remember this started just three years ago, in Cairns. I’m so proud to be from a place of sunshine and warmth, and I miss it so much.”