Hi guys, so I know it’s been a long time since I last blogged, and so I thought I would update you all on my new collection of headdresses inspired by Russia. I have made 9 kokoshnik headdresses in total, all beaded and covered in crystals! It took me 2 and half weeks of constant work in order to get these finished.
‘Winter Goddess’ Kokoshnik
As you can probably tell, this kokoshnik was inspired by Russian winters – all snow and ice, glittering in the sun. This headdress is made with a silver and white brocade that twinkles like fresh snow, and is adorned with beautiful big silver and clear gems, crystals and pearls.
‘Twilight’ beaded Kokoshnik
This headdress is made from grey cotton, heavily beaded with silver and black glass beads and edged with small pearls. Black knotted fringing comes down around the face, highlighted slightly by iridescent paint.
‘Dark Princess’ Kokoshnik
This headdress is smaller than the rest, adorned with many tiny glass beads and sequins in silver and grey colours. It is tipped with small crystal fronds and a pretty black and silver pendant. Black silk flowers are positioned around the sides and each flower holds a small clear crystal in the centre.
‘Imperial’ Kokoshnik
This stunning kokoshnik is made from sumptuous red velvet, adorned with many crystals of varying colours: golds, clear, red, blue and green; and trimmed in bright gold braid. At each side a small red velvet rose sits above a cascade of red and gold beads and a bright gold tassel.
‘Golden Forest’ Kokoshnik
This kokoshnik was the first made in the collection, and is made from plum velvet, dark brown felt, and adorned in a whole host of golden pearls, leaves, coins, glass beads and crystals. Small bronze and copper tone beads come down around the face in large loops.
‘Empress’ Kokoshnik
The ‘Empress’ kokoshnik takes it’s inspiration this time from 19th century kokoshniks which were inspired greatly by Italian Renaissance fashions and french hoods. So you may notice that I have also included some Tudor references in the design. This headdress is made from a brown crushed silk velvet, adorned with copper, bronze, khaki and hematite colour beads, small copper roses, gold lace, chain and tassels.
‘Golden Night’ Kokoshnik
Intricately beaded, embroidered and painted, this headdress is covered with gold and bronze glass beads, crystals and leaves. This kokoshnik is edged in gold lace which is picked out with clear crystals and light gold tassels adorn the bottom of the headdress. Gold and black fringing edges the front of the headdress, which covers the hairline of the wearer.
‘Black Dahlia’ Kokoshnik
Made with high quality black silk velvet, this headdress is more reserved than the others in the collection. It is inspired by the beautiful black dahlia flower, which is indicated by the black silk flowers attached to the sides of the kokoshnik. In each flower sits five silver and gold metallic beads, and long dark gold chains drop from the under-petals of the flowers. The main part of this headdress is beaded with brushed metal beads in gold, silver and grey colours, making this headdress more wearable.
‘Mistress of Darkness’ Kokoshnik
Last but not least is the ‘Mistress of Darkness’ headdress, which is completely black. It is mainly made out of panels of black faux leather and black beaded lace, adorned with a crown of long faceted black crystals and pleats made from high quality satin ribbon. Each point of this headdress is tipped with the same black crystals that decorate the front and hang down around the face.
At the very front, nestled in the pleats are a whole host of black roses in various sizes.
These kokoshnik headdresses will be available in my online shop from the end of July 2013 here: www.livfreecreations.co.uk (Creations by Liv Free)
However, since I loved making these headdresses so much, I am sure that another collection will follow on from this one in the future!
Creations by Liv Free
Alivya V Free 