November 11, 2025

Cellotape Presents: Anna Próchniak

Photographing, interviewing, and working with an actress is quite different to a model. An actress will perform as a model, have her own style, and will be aware of how clothes change us. Anna is an actress with roles covering many different times, and their fashion styles, with many serious parts where the clothes are part of the role, and certainly not fashionable or even glamorous. Anna is Polish by birth and a Capricorn, which if you believe in such things makes her grounded, ambitious, and practical, all necessary attributes for an actress.

She initially trained as a dancer, something apparent in all her work, she then switched to acting training at the National Film School in Lodz. Although her first roles were back in 2012 her first major international recognition was in the Oscar nominated “The Innocents”, shown at Sundance Film Festival founded by the late Robert Redford.

Anna has acted on stage in Warsaw, worked on the Northern Irish movie “Bad Day for the Cut” directed by Chris Baugh, had the movie “Oleg” premiered at Cannes, played Natalie in the TV series’s “Baptiste” set in Amsterdam. The musical movie “Bodo,” movie Belle Epoque and the TV series “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” all this gives a clear indication of her range.

So, see the results of the Cellotape shoot, and read below about her relationship with fashion through her thoughtful answers, allowing us an insight into the style of this fine actress.

Words & Interview by Tony Glenville

Above; Blazer: The Frankie Store, Shirt: La Double J, Trousers: Namica from Couverture & The Garbstore, Shoes: Coach, Socks: Falke, Earrings: Dévé

Cellotape: Does fashion or style matter more?

Anna: For me style is a collection of elements drawn not only from fashion trends but also from art, music, scents, dreams, stories that make you cry… This all mixed with your personal charisma and vulnerability. It evolves with age and experience, it’s fluid, never rigid and at the same time, deeply signature. I like to think of it like handwriting: the way you write doesn’t change, but whether you use a pencil, a pen, paint, a bird feather, or glitter nail polish it will always look different. It’s your choice which “writing instrument” you use to write each chapter of your story.

Cellotape: Do you enjoy fashion as opposed to clothes for performance?

Anna: I really enjoy fashion! It’s fascinating to see how certain items, styles, or ideas come back over time, sometimes with a completely new meaning. “The gum you liked is going to come back in style,” you know! I don’t follow trends blindly, though. I prefer to observe them with curiosity and think about what I might incorporate into my own collection, stealing from anywhere that resonates with me or fuels my imagination!

At the same time fashion is really such a wonderful tool for building my roles. I love exploring both period and modern styles, but I always consider the bigger picture: would this character follow fashion, or rebel against it? Why does she make certain choices? For me, clothes are always part of a character’s inner world and style is an extension of one’s personality.

Cellotape: You’ve acted in films set in many different times. Do you have a favourite era?

Anna: That’s really hard to choose! Period projects always feel like time travel, it’s so fascinating each time – but I also enjoy playing modern characters.

This year for example I played two very different women. Alina in Summerwater for Channel 4 is a contemporary character: an artist who wears lots of vintage clothes, loves experimenting with her looks and whose style evolves over a decade. You can see how her experiences transform both her as a person and as an artist.

Then in Xavier Giannoli’s new film I played Lydia Rogers, a dancer in the 1940s. Her bold, surrealist-inspired style was incredible, some costumes were authentic period pieces, while others were custom-made. They were wild! Whenever we were choosing an outfit, Pascaline Chavanne, the costume designer, would always say, “Lydia needs something… more caractère.” Sometimes we’d fall in love with a certain outfit but decide it wasn’t crazy enough for Lydia. That was so much fun!

Cellotape: You seem to have a strong personal style. Has it always been there?

Anna: I think it was always there, but I had to grow into it. The stage was my natural habitat since childhood: I trained in classical dance for 10 years, then studied physical theatre and contemporary dance in drama school and eventually ended up in film school.

As a child and teenager, I mostly wore either simple workout clothes for ballet training or stage costumes, depending on the repertoire. Offstage, I preferred to disappear into something comfortable and cosy. Film school was the time I finally began exploring, not only what was around me but also who I really was. I started digging, listening inward. Intuition can take you to some incredible places if you stay curious and present.

Left; Dress: HUISHAN ZHANG, Earrings: Shrimps

Cellotape: There’s little overstatement or extravagance in your style. Is that deliberate?

Anna: I’d describe my style as nonchalant minimalism with a touch of vintage decadence. For me fabric quality is essential. It’s not only about how it looks, but also how it feels on the body and how it makes you feel. I believe that simplicity can be extravagant too!

Cellotape: Does your dance training help with knowing what suits you?

Anna: Absolutely. I had plenty of time to experiment with looks on stage, but most importantly, dance helped me connect with my body. Your relationship with your body deeply influences your style, it shapes how you move, how you wear clothes, how strong you feel.

Cellotape: Your acting roles are nearly always serious. Do you switch personalities for the red carpet or publicity?

Anna: I’d say my roles are often rather dramatic, but not always obvious at first glance… My characters often go through difficult emotions, yet they’re never just serious – I always try to make them human, layered, and multidimensional. To truly experience darkness, you need moments of light to balance it.

Publicity is a different story, though. I do feel like I need a bit of a persona for it – it makes things less stressful and more playful. What also really changes my mood is what I wear. Lately I’ve been wearing a lot of Magda Butrym’s designs that I simply adore! Those outfits’ve given me so much strength and power. Her designs are incredibly feminine, yet bold and unique – they make me feel like I can step into any situation with confidence.

Above; Dress: Magda Butrym, Earrings: Margaux Studios

Cellotape: Whose fashion style, past or present do you admire?

Anna: I actually admire three very different style icons, each in their own way. Anna Karina for me is the essence of French New Wave, 60s and Godard films. She was effortlessly elegant, minimal yet still so feminine. Then there’s Charlotte Gainsbourg, whose look I find endlessly inspiring because it’s such a clever blend of casual and sophisticated. She can combine edgy pieces with something classic and feminine and always carry it with this nonchalant attitude – a touch of bohemian spirit, a hint of rebelliousness yet still incredibly chic. And finally – Tilda Swinton. She has this transcendent coolness that feels completely unique – I don’t think she’s ever shown up anywhere looking anything less than iconic. What I find particularly inspiring about her is the way she approaches fashion almost like architecture: sculptural, daring, and totally her own.

But in the end, I think it’s less about copying someone else’s look and more about the courage and imagination we bring to fashion: how we play with it, interpret it, and make it personal.

Cellotape: Whose clothes would you collect if you had unlimited money?

Anna: I would definitely collect Schiaparelli and Miu Miu. I love Schiaparelli’s surrealist designs – the bold contrasts, the sculptural jewellery and accessories, the sense of wit and audacity in every piece. They feel less like clothes and more like true works of art: unique and subversive. At the same time, I adore the simplicity, playfulness, and rebellious elegance of Miu Miu. There’s something so fresh and spirited in the way those designs mix innocence with edge.

That said with unlimited money I don’t think I could spend it all just on clothes…

I’d want to channel that abundance into something that matters. We need to take care of our planet far more than we do now… Fashion, for me, is a form of self-expression, but I believe real luxury lies in the ability to give back and to create a positive impact.

Above; Toga Pulla from Couverture & The Garbstore

Cellotape: What’s one look or style you’d never wear?

Anna: I would never wear anything that made me feel dishonest with myself!

Cellotape: Biggest fashion or style mistake – anything from hair to shoes?

Anna: That’s a tricky one. For some, a choice might look like a mistake, for others, it’s bold and brilliant. Also, if you always choose the safe, conventional path, you’ll end up just like everyone else. I try not to judge; fashion is so personal.

Cellotape: Follow fashion or know your own style?

Anna: Keep your own style but allow it to evolve. Stay open to inspiration – from art, from nature and from life itself. Digest what you see and experience, take it in. It all matters.