With a keen eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to quality, Olivia Von Halle has continuously redefined the boundaries of contemporary style.
As the Founder and CEO of her eponymous brand, she has crafted a legacy built upon the pillars of sophistication, craftsmanship, and inclusivity.
Now, as she unveils her inaugural Ramadan Capsule Collection, “The Night By Moonlight,” Olivia invites us into a world where modesty meets opulence, where tradition harmonizes with modernity.
Each piece within this exquisite collection bears the hallmark of Olivia’s distinctive aesthetic—timeless silhouettes adorned with intricate embellishments, meticulously crafted to captivate and inspire.
In an exclusive interview with Emirates Woman, Olivia shares her inspiration behind this collection, her dedication to honouring ancient artisanal techniques, and her vision for the future of luxury fashion.
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How did your experience as a trend forecaster influence your approach to designing luxury loungewear at Olivia von Halle?
As a trend forecaster, you take a very long-term view and look at everything from art exhibitions to politics and distil this into trends. However when it comes to my own brand I work much more intuitively; I have always had a very strong gut instinct for trends and am able to sense when something is going to be big. I will wake up one morning thinking about something, become completely obsessed with it, go on a huge mission to try and find what I’m looking for and if I can’t find anyone who is already making it then I set about designing it myself. Over the years I’ve learned to trust my gut, even when the rest of the studio is looking at me like I’m absolutely mad. That’s what trend forecasting is all about – seeing the beauty in something that everyone else thinks is ugly.
Could you share more about the inspiration behind the intricately embroidered pieces in The Night By Moonlight Collection, particularly the choice of ombre sequins inspired by the crescent moon and stars?
When working on the colour palette and embellishments for this collection, my team and I were really taking inspiration from the beautiful colours of the sky at dusk, which I know it’s such an important moment throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan. From the sun setting in a blissful haze to the blanket of stars that appears as the night sky draws in, all elements are reflected in the colour used for the embellishments – shades of gold, peach and blue, sitting alongside the most luxurious touches of sparkle.
With the launch of your Ramadan capsule collection, how do you ensure that the designs remain both modest and luxurious, catering to diverse tastes and cultural sensitivities?
The collection is extremely luxurious both in the construction of each piece as well as in the special embroideries and use of best in class materials. It is, at the same time, modest in the silhouettes, especially with the introduction of the kaftan-shaped “Vreeland Dress”, which is a new style for us and designed very much with modest dressers in mind. We have a very loyal customer base in the Middle East and we hope they will enjoy this new introduction to our offering.
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Your brand emphasises a devotion to refinement and detail. Could you delve into the craftsmanship and techniques used by your artisans, such as Aari and Zardosi, to bring your designs to life?
I think the craftsmanship behind all of our pieces, especially the embroidered ones, allow us to create such special garments that one would want (and can!) treasure forever. The level of attention to detail in these embellishments is simply beyond. Take, for example, the Yves Celestine from our Ramadan Capsule collection: it takes 26 hours to complete the embroidery on each pyjama, using a combination of the most ancient Indian artisanal techniques (Aari and Zardosi). The Aari technique is done by using a long stitching needle (specific to this technique) whereas the Zardosi can be achieved with any regular needle. The combination of both techniques allows for the most elaborate and detailed embroideries you would ever see – so exquisite that they have been used for centuries on the regalia of kings and queens.
As a champion of empowered feminine glamour, how do you see Olivia von Halle’s role in redefining luxury loungewear for the modern woman, balancing elegance with comfort?
I’m a firm believer that feeling the best version of yourself is always the key to one’s confidence, and feeling comfortable plays a big part in that. People are seeking out pieces that feel like heaven to wear whilst having that laid-back glamour that will make them feel great, and I think we’re always able to achieve that with every new Olivia von Halle’s collection. For many women time is an increasingly precious commodity and so pieces that are both comfortable and chic are key.
The Missy tracksuit has gained global attention and has been worn by celebrities like Gigi and Bella Hadid, Selena Gomez, and Oprah Winfrey. What do you think sets it apart and makes it so appealing to such a diverse range of individuals?
The Missy is the first ever tracksuit we launched back in 2016 and it’s made of the most incredible double-faced silk-cashmere blend. It took us two years to develop because we were fastidious about perfecting every detail – from the oversized cut of the trouser to the hand-feel of the finished fabric. A refusal to compromise on quality lies at the heart of our brand and is what makes all of our pieces utterly unique. The Missy is the perfect thing to wear when you want to feel super comfortable yet totally pulled together and that’s something that appeals to any culture or demographic – Jlo even wore it for her birthday.
Could you elaborate on your brand’s commitment to sourcing the world’s highest quality natural fabrics for every item? How does this commitment contribute to the overall luxury and sustainability of Olivia von Halle garments?
I choose to work with natural materials because they have superior qualities to synthetics – for example silk is moisture wicking which makes it highly breathable, it will keep you cool in summer and warm in winter – it is the perfect material to sleep in. But most importantly, it feels absolutely incredible. All of our fabrics are made to order to exacting standards so we can ensure the quality is exquisite. I believe if you create a product that is a dream to wear and that looks sensational then it will be cared for and treasured.
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You’ve mentioned being inspired by lounging pyjamas worn by Coco Chanel and her contemporaries. How do you infuse elements of vintage glamour into your designs while maintaining a modern aesthetic?
With every new collection I celebrate pioneering women that I consider muses for all sorts of different reasons, whom are heavily inspiring me in that moment. That inspiration can then be translated into a print or a silhouette, remaining true to its origins whilst being reimagined with a more contemporary eye. I really love the Jagger pyjama that we’ve launched with our PS24 collection – it was inspired by Bianca Jagger’s wedding suit and still feels so modern today! Diana Vreeland is another of my biggest style icons and we’ve just developed a new dress silhouette named after her – the Vreeland dress – which nods to her sweeping kaftans and is cast in two updated fabrics: a soft, suede-like sandwashed silk and our lustrous silk marocain. This silhouette is also part of our Ramadan capsule, in a subdued pastel-blue silk and exquisite embroideries which make it a wearable work of art.
What challenges did you face in establishing Olivia von Halle as a global luxury brand, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge we faced in the early days was getting people on board with the idea that loungewear could be luxurious. No one was making pyjamas with the same care and attention that went into ready-to-wear, so encouraging people to change their perception and see loungewear in a new light was the first hurdle we faced. Luckily, the product spoke for itself and as soon as people started to experience beautifully made silk pyjamas first hand they saw that loungewear could be spoiling, and every bit as luxurious as a couture gown. It filled a gap they never knew existed.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the future of Olivia von Halle, both in terms of expanding your offerings and continuing to push the boundaries of luxury loungewear?
We have some amazing partnerships in the pipeline for 2024 / 2025 – each one is special and unique and marries the Olivia von Halle aesthetic with something new and unexpected. Stay tuned for exciting things!
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