Anet Abnous
President, Anet's Collection

1) Can you tell us a little bit about what you do?
My name is Anet Abnous. I am a Burbank resident and founder and CEO of Anet’s Collection. Anet’s Collection is an online female owned business which brings art and fashion together through unique and culturally inspired accessories and gifts for women and men. It is where art meets fashion. I have a BFA from Queens college (City University of NY) and Fashion. It has been my goal to educate people about different cultures, and empower women along the way. What better way to do that than what came naturally to me, through my art. I use stories, theatre, songs and poetry and create my art and then transfer the art into wearable art. Our scarves tell a story and it is the best feeling to have people enjoy your art by wearing them and in turn giving others the chance to see them.

2) How did you first become interested in art?
I have loved and created art as long as I can remember. My first memory of creating art was drawing and making our family Christmas cards one by one. Being raised in a family that was involved in the fashion business, since my dad was a tailor, it all came naturally to sketch and create. It was a childhood dream of mine to take over my father’s factory and continue the business of fashion. I grew up being involved in many forms of art, from performing art, drawing fashion and also learning the business side of things from my family. It came naturally and that is why I did not hesitate to start Anet’s Collection.
3) How does art enrich a community, and what are some ways people can engage with art in Burbank?
Art documents community history and tells the story of the community members and leaders, but most importantly it gives the community something to share with others and creates entertainment and joy. It also enriches the community. In each community, there are people from different cultures and social and political backgrounds. Art can become the one common language to bring us all together in Burbank. We have a large community of Armenians, Latinos, Middle Easterns and Caucasians. Art is one of the best ways to bring all these cultures together and educate and inform everyone about issues and traditions. That is the best way to make the community united. It will bring more business and build personal and professional relationships.

I would like to see the Burbank community have more public art events that feature different cultures and the people that live in Burbank, the same way schools hold cultural days, but on an even larger scale. It could highlight local artists and bring entertainment and open air art galleries to life. It would bring the community closer and attract more people and business to our local community.

4) If you could share with our community one thing about art, what would it be?
I am currently sharing through Anet’s Collection. Anet’s Collection is all about art inspired pieces from different cultures and feminine beauty. I am Armenian from Iran and my art has influences from both countries and cultures. I would say my female nude paintings and colorful art scarves versus hijab is definitely the result of being raised during the revolution in Iran. The art that I create is my way to empower women and fight for their equality. Art is thought expressed through many forms and can create beauty and harmony.

To find out more about Anet’s work, visit her website https://www.anetscollection.com, or follow her on Instagram and Facebook at https://www.instagram.com/anetscollection and https://www.facebook.com/anetscollection.