Designer Holly Lauren from Olli. Image supplied.
Holly Lauren is the 19 year old designer from the Hawkes Bay behind new emerging label Olli. The talented teenager creates clothing that is a clever mash-up of Renaissance trends and modern street style. Her creative take on fashion has seen her picked up by New Zealand Fashion Week to show as part of the New Generation presentation later this month and we can’t wait to see what she sends down the runway.
We caught up with Holly to find out more about her label, what inspires her and what you would never catch her wearing!
Tell us about your latest collection?
My designs are a representation of the quirks within my personality – My latest collection explores my graceful nature; my ability to be bold and striking whilst delicate and feminine.
I have delved into the elegance of ivory, creme and dirty mint greens, in this collection (totally comprised of second hand fabrics).
I believe that more, is in fact, more in this series of intricate detail – I wanted to devise a cluster of ruffles and frills that would be ‘oohed and aahed’ at, by all eyes that passed.
What made you become a designer?
I am a lover of the arts, and this was simply another art form that I found and gained interest in. I adore the idea of creating beauty and being able to take something from my mind and create a physical representation. I’m a creative, and the feeling of doing just that; creating, is one that brings me such joy and warmth, that it was something I wanted to progress with and make a living out of.
I am in-love with the expression which art catalyses, my clothing is my expression; something striking to look at, not necessarily to wear.
What inspires you?
The way fabric gathers and folds when tossed aside. Its individual crinkles and creases; its personality.
I have a very organic method of creating. I usually have a very vague idea of the intended outcome as I take scissors to fabric. The movement of the fabric is my inspiration, all goes beautifully up hill from there.
Looks from Olli’s Spring/Summer 2018 collection.
Describe your personal style and how it influences your designs?
My designs are influenced by my taste in art more so than my style fashion-wise.
My everyday style is a work in progress, still in the refinement stages. My current wardrobe shamelessly consists of pj’s and fluffy socks, (an unforgiving clash of colours and patterns) as I’m in hunched-over-my-sewing-machine-24/7 mode.
What is your all-time favourite purchase?
My Instax Mini 90 Neo camera. And my George Keburia glasses, which I doubt will ever make their way to my face but they are beautiful to look at.
What wardrobe item should everyone invest in?
A pair of high-waisted denim Levi’s, the kind that you’d find deep in your Mum’s wardrobe from years gone by.
Do you have a style rule you always obey?
No rules – whatever goes.
Looks from Olli’s Spring/Summer 2018 collection.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Each time I complete a piece that I fall head-over-heels in-love with is a highlight. That’s where the warm fuzzies that I mentioned earlier come into play.
What can’t you live without?
Miss Mother Nature; the sunshine, the breeze, the rain.
Finish this sentence – You would never catch me wearing…
Red and denim, the source of this hatred I am yet to discover…
Images supplied.