SAVOUR THE BLEND OF VINTAGE ELEGANCE AND CULINARY FLAIR AS WE CELEBRATE THE ESSENCE OF OUR STYLE ICON – ILYA MAMEDOVA. JOIN US FOR A CHIC JOURNEY WHERE EACH DISH MIRRORS HER SOPHISTICATION, AND EVERY ENSEMBLE ECHOES HER TIMELESS CHARM.
ILYA'S STORY
I believe the universe has been preparing me for blogging since my early years. As a student, I was engaged in various school activities, serving as a speaker and vice-president, and actively participating in both internal school events and external recitation competitions. However, after a while, I felt the need for a platform to express myself more freely.
That's when I turned to Instagram, creating the Ilya Mamedova page back in 2013. Creating content wasn't a challenge for me as I focused on what I was passionate about. I envisioned my blog as a reflection of Ilya – someone eager to share insights and inspire, not just in culinary skills, but also in areas such as travel, daily life, embroidery, poetry, and just warm heart-to-heart conversations.
Suit TARA JARMON, accessories: handmade ROSE BROOCH BY LOCAL BRAND ELFF,
necklace FLEUR DE LIS BY TIFFANY&CO
The blog came to life on my 18th birthday in April 2013. Little did I know it would become a gift to myself, presenting me with countless moments of joy, surprises, opportunities, and connections every single day, rather than just once a year. In December of the same year, at midnight, I got all my courage and wrote an email to the editors of NARGIS magazine, proposing a gastronomy section for their online platform. The attached document was my then- modest portfolio.
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Frankly, I didn't expect a response, but to my surprise, I received one. This marked the beginning of Gurmania, a section that lasted for two years. My collaboration with NARGIS magazine was a pivotal moment and opened doors to new opportunities, as well as introduced me to an incredible circle of people, something I'll always appreciate. A decade ago, as an 18-year-old student approaching NARGIS's editorial office, could I have imagined that ten years later they'd invite me, now a recognised blogger, to join their project?
Dress MAJE, shoes GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI,
earrings PRINCESS FLOWER BY ROBERTO COIN
The project of my life has been the launch of my own cooking studio, a dream I've pursued for a decade, and one that has no analogues in Baku yet. I aimed to recreate the warmth and cosiness felt when stepping into a grandmother's house, where hearty delights are always cooking, and the kitchen beckons for conversations and pie baking.
This studio hosts masterclasses for both new and experienced homemakers, themed events with international guests, and small corporate gatherings. Additionally, a special course will cater to fans of Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë novels, where we will enjoy the sounds of classical music coming from the gramophone, embroider, and indulge in a tea party with cakes of our own making.
Jacket MAJE, skirt ZARA, shoes GEOX,
jewellery HAPPY DIAMONDS BY CHOPARD
Style, to me, embodies a specific inner harmony – a balance between how I feel inside and how I express it externally. My world embraces restraint, tradition, femininity, and romance.
A foundation of my style is a ladylike elegance that influences all my clothing choices. I prefer sophisticated midi and maxi dresses, classic trousers, solid-toned blouses, knitted cardigans, tweed jackets, low-heeled shoes, medium- sized handbags, and timeless high-quality jewellery. Nothing shocking, toxic in colour, or flashy.
Dress ELISABETTA FRANCHI, shawl MUSÉE MARMOTTAN MONET,
jewellery HOMMAGE À CLAUDE MONET BY FREY VILLE
I want to show to fellow young individuals that classic style isn't always dull, predictable, or overly formal. Kate Middleton, an advocate for classic fashion, occasionally surprises with a "wow effect" – something I, too, unintentionally achieve at social events.
My clothing colour choices mirror my inner disposition, with shades of brown, beige, black, grey, and milky tones dominating my wardrobe. For evening wear, I adore the rich hue of emerald.
DO WHAT YOU LOVE AND LOVE WHAT YOU DO!
