Designer Anna Balkan
Designer Anna Balkan created ILI Designs in 2005 and her jewelry has already reached red carpet status. A native Russian, Balkan came to New York City in 1992 with just $100, jobless and speaking only Russian. Through hard-work, determination and a love of fashion, Anna learned to speak English and worked in a variety of jobs ranging from handing out flyers on street corners to clothing store manager to part-time modeling. While working she earned a college degree and landed a coveted position in IT with Anderson Consulting, where she remained for four years, and with whom she relocated to Atlanta. For the past seven years, she's worked in a variety of positions at CheckFree, currently in product management.
From a young age Balkan developed a passion for jewelry design and a need to be creative. At five she made her first set of rhinestones earrings for her mother, who still has them to this day. Through the years, Balkan nurtured her creative side through painting, sculpture and clothing design. While pregnant with her daughter Alexandra she returned to her childhood passion for jewelry design. In her short career as a jewelry designer, she was quickly discovered by Harold's and later became the Atlanta Bloomingdale's first local jewelry designer to hold a trunk show.
Balkan uses her talent for designing in philanthropic endeavors throughout the community including Make-A-Wish Foundation, Red Cross and The Susan G. Komen Foundation, in which she donates a percentage of her proceeds.
"I love it" was the resounding response to her jewelry and so it became the name of her company. Balkan is building ILI Designs' brand among Atlantans and celebrities with her beautiful, original jewelry designs.