The relationship between cities and fashion designers is an interesting one. Often certain pieces or whole collections are inspired by a city, town or it's architecture - case in point Holly Fulton or Mary Katranzou (although Mary is more detail-specific).
In an attempt to understand London's influence on fashion, I'm going to be asking a few designers a series of eight questions, the same questions for each, asking about their love affair with our wonderful little bubble!
Olivia Rubin is the first. After graduating from Central Saint Martins college, Olivia is now in her seventh season. Attending her catwalk show last season nailed it home for me - this girl knows how to work her signature prints AND she understands her customer (a 20-something-year-old lady who loves wearable, bright pieces). She's rubbed shoulders with some fashion greats, namely McQueen and Galliano (some prints she designed were used in Galliano's spring summer 2006 collection), and has designed ranges for e-high street stores Oli.co.uk and very.co.uk, as well as a collaboration with Dune.
Olivia's brick print is her most popular, unfortunately none for men at the moment, but still I love it. It's served her well, and got her noticed. It was inspired by London, as is a lot of her collections, she loves her city.
Here's what Olivia had to say...
The Very: Describe how YOU see London style? Is there a particular 'look' or scene that interests you more than others?
Olivia: London style is at the top of its game at the moment-wherever I look I see people looking so well put together-I think we’ve come a long way! I try not to get too bogged down in a particular scene or ‘look’-I like experimenting myself and can therefore appreciate all the different fashions Londoners have to offer.
The Very: What does it mean to you to be able to show your collections as part of London Fashion Week instead of one of the other weeks?
Olivia: London has no rules and that’s why it suits me. My label is very much about fun, light hearted humour and enjoying colour and print so the laid back attitude in London goes hand in hand with my label’s ethos.
The Very: Your collections have a very distinct style, what with your amazing prints, is this something inspired by London?
Olivia: My first ever collection was inspired by the building sites of London and where my signature brick print made its first appearance. I am a true London lover so London definitely inspires me as a creative-London is my home and most of my ideas come to fruition here.
The Very: What is your favourite London landmark and have you ever created a piece from it?
Olivia: I don’t have a favourite landmark-I could never whittle it down to one. I think it’s the alive, electric atmosphere that makes London so rare.
The Very: You focus on womenswear at the moment, is there any scope for a bit of menswear in the future?
Olivia: I often get requests from men to start introducing menswear-especially the brick print t-shirt for men! My passion is womenswear but there is definitely room for expansion down the line-I won’t give too much away now!
The Very: Is your wardrobe full with your own clothes, or do you have a favourite designer?
Olivia: I think it’s only natural that a designer has lots of their own pieces in their wardrobe-which I most certainly do, however I do appreciate many other designers from Marni to Miu Miu-they are my classic faithfuls! After wearing lots of colour and print there are days I just like to play it simple with neutrals or plains-although I do get a lot of stick when I’m not wearing my own pieces!
The Very: What British celebrity would you most like to see in one of your pieces?
Olivia: I am fortunate enough to have dressed some top UK celebrities including Cheryl Cole, who has been one of the most well known to wear one of my dresses. It would be great to dress Kate Middleton (or should I say the Duchess of Cambridge) -something a bit more demure and refined than some of my collections but nevertheless it would make a refreshing change to see her in some print.
The Very: What's your favourite area in London and why?
Olivia: I grew up in West London and now live in the centre. I am a true city girl so I have to say being in the heart of London is my favourite place-I get to enjoy all the shops and stores as well as the benefits of having Hyde Park around the corner.
Good news ladies, there's currently a sale on on Olivia's site, so go get shopping! Here's my top two products from the sale...
Zebra cotton shorts, WAS £150 NOW £90; Silk georgette jacket, WAS £150 NOW £75
ENJOY!