Olivia Deane
- Describe yourself as a designer and as a person. Do you see main differences between these descriptions?
- As far as I can see there aren’t any differences between the two. If I wasn’t the person I am, I wouldn’t be a designer. I’m conscientious, determined and enthusiastic, with occasional hints of insecurity that I hide by being stubborn. As a designer I’m the same, except I’m not stubborn… I know how much I have to learn from those around me.
- If you remember what was your first made item you were proud of?
- The way you feel proud of something you’ve made changes drastically with age. I was into a lot of textiles when I was younger, so I was proud because I was learning new things like weaving, tie dye, batik and knitting. As you grow up, things get a little more serious – your constantly look at the mistakes you’ve made. I guess that questions like these remind you some kind of joy you felt when you were a kid.
- When did you realize that you want to get into fashion industry?
- It would be amazing to pinpoint a ‘moment’ but the truth is that I was born with this passion, a fire inside of me. I have no idea if it’s genetic or made, but it’s always been there and it’s that passion that lead me into fashion, and ultimately the industry.
- Why did you choose to create womenswear?
- When your starting out it’s best to go with what feels most comfortable and what you already know. The designs I create are for someone with a similar aesthetic to mine and I understand womenswear because I have experienced it through life. I have no doubt in my mind that eventually I will design menswear… I actually find menswear much more exciting in so many ways - there’s so much to learn from it. I’ve still got a long way to go before I take that on too.
- What is the best thing about being a designer?
- The feeling of translation is incredible: to see something manifest in your mind, then to see it on a body, moving in a real environment as you had imagined it… that’s possibly the best feeling in the world.
- What story could be told, if your clothes could speak?
- My clothes wouldn’t tell a story, they’d seduce you. They’d tell you to touch them, to smell them, to play, to grab, and to climb inside them and feel incredible.
- The silhouettes from your graduate collection are oversized and mixed. Do you imagine a real person/ideal who wears it? What is the story behind these shapes?
- When I’m creating a collection, I’m creating a vision. I’m sharing myself with so many people. So whilst visually the garments together are oversized and mixed, I‘m creating a vision as a whole. My intention was to create a collection that could be taken apart, piece by piece, and worn as separates. So the vision is that the ideal, my muse, wears the entire collection. Whereas a real person wears individual pieces and winds them into their everyday.
- Where do you seek for inspiration?
- Everywhere. When you are creative you take the inspiration subliminally. I already have my own sensibilities so everything is translated through my own eyes. I’m also phenomenally fortunate to be surrounded by creative’s who are constantly influencing and pushing me. My brothers, an architect and a blacksmith, are incredibly talented and I am inspired not only by their work, but their attitude, creativity and intelligent designing.
- Do you have some special rituals before you start to create?
- No. All I know is that some days you can’t think of anything, nothing comes into your mind and you exasperate all your creative juice. So the best thing to do is step back, take a break and do something completely unrelated. I’d spend some time in the bath or maybe do some yoga. If this doesn’t work I’d go back home to the countryside. The minute you stop thinking about designing, you start creating…
- What are the basic values for you as for designer?
- To listen everything what everyone has to say to you, the positive and the negative. Learn from those around you. Keep it all in perspective. Do something everyday that is so far removed from fashion, giving yourself air and space. Most importantly, keep laughing whatever happens.
- You are new talent in fashion world. Do you feel that you need to mach and fight to get everyone’s attention?
- No, not at all. I’m not like that as a person anyway. I’m creating because I’m passionate and love what I do. If people are interested then that’s a bonus. I’m here to enjoy myself and that’s the most important thing to me. I have a lot of incredible people around me who keep my feet steadily on the ground and they always remind me of how important it is to laugh at yourself. They all know who they are and I’d be lost without them.
- If you can name it what is the biggest achievement in your young career?
- All of this. The response I’ve had since graduating has been incredible. It all hit me one day over the summer, I’d had an incredible day surfing in Cornwall with friends, and when I came home that evening I heard that I’d be featured in i-D… needless to say - that day was the best of my life so far. It was perfect.
- Future plans, hopes and dream collaborations?
- I want to continue with my label, and work hard. I want to take some time to travel and see the world to open my mind, develop and mature. I hope to have the same support a few years down the line as I do now, to make the people who have supported and believed in me, proud. I want to do what I love, and enjoy it, taking the highs with the lows. Without the lows we couldn’t appreciate the highs.
As far as collaborations are concerned, I would eventually like to explore the parallels between fashion and architecture a little further with my brother, once he will graduate. We both know there are some exciting possibilities there.
But ultimately, to work hard, fall in love and laugh through it all…
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