Anna Korkobcova and Ivanka Matsuba have taken headpieces to dramatic new heights with their series of exuberant, refreshingly adventurous floral creations. Anna, a multidisciplinary designer and visual artist, met Ivanka, a floral stylist, while the two were working for one of San Francisco’s most highly regarded flower studios. It was here where they first had the opportunity to get their hands on some of the most beautiful blooms around, gaining a solid understanding of different flower varieties while creating all sorts of fun arrangements. This apprenticeship sparked their individual curiosities, and they both developed a longing to experiment with flowers in ever more artistic and creative ways.

One day over coffee and tea, they began discussing their shared dream of making something truly different and decided it was time to bring their wild ideas to life. They promised to give themselves no restrictions and to simply abide by one rule: creating freely and happily. A floral collaboration was born, and the duo dove headfirst into their first project: fashioning a series of bold headpieces, each one dramatically different from the next. The goal of the project was to create works of art utilizing the colors and textures of flowers. They played with shape and structure and thoughtfully curated each element, from the backdrops to the ethnically diverse models to the subtly exquisite hair and makeup looks, all culminating in a set of extraordinary images.

The collaboration draws from their individual strengths and their different yet overlapping backgrounds. Ivanka recently started her own floral design business, Hana and Pine, which focuses on arrangements for weddings, special events, and styled shoots. “I think flowers are one of the most impactful elements of design, and this project fed my desire to explore a more artistic aspect of my craft,” Ivanka said.

Formally trained in interior design, Anna enjoys coming up with new concepts and focusing on creative direction. “I try to apply my knowledge of scale, balance, and detail in all of my work,” Anna said. “I believe in strong visual storytelling and aspire to create powerful, poetic images.”

Anna and Ivanka called on their talented friends Zack Piánko, a photographer, and Katie Nash, a hair and makeup artist, to help them execute their vision. Zack, who works in the medium of film photography, is acutely attuned to the composition of shapes and lines within the frame, the movement of the human figure, and the presence and subtleties of light. Katie, who brought years of editorial styling experience to the table, came up with beautifully complementary hair and makeup looks for each unique piece.

Styled Shoots

Anna and Ivanka are interested in collaborating with designers, stylists, magazines, and likeminded businesses to expand their editorial floral work through fashion shows, ad campaigns, and visual merchandising. For inquiries, contact Anna at annakorkobcova@gmail.com or Ivanka at ivanka@hanaandpine.com.