Behind The Scenes with Olivia Annabelle

How did Olivia Annabelle start? 

A frustration with the lack of diversity and innovation on the high street fostered a desire to design clothes made from beautiful fabrics that are unique, well made and don't follow trends. At the heart of the brand is our aim to make limited-edition high-quality pieces that have longevity and timeless appeal that can be kept and worn forever.

How you are adapting to the Corona situation?

As a female-run company of two, it has been relatively easy for us to social distance which is a benefit of being such a small company. We have been updating one another via Facetime with ideas, mood boards and our future plans for the business. Even though myself and Hattie haven't seen one another in person for nearly 7 weeks now we are still in constant contact throughout the day - we are so grateful that we have been able to do this online through social media outlets! We have also had to cancel a few upcoming photo-shoots which has been hard as they have been planned for a long time and it means letting our whole photography, MUA and modelling team down - but we understand that our teams' safety is much more important. A huge positive has been the support from fellow small businesses, who have been grouping together and sharing one another's profiles - I have received so many messages of support which is really uplifting in a worrying time! I’ve also seen an increase in traffic to the website with an increase in orders too which has really helped us keep busy!

What are some of the inspirations from your recent collections? 

The Bloomsbury Collection, our latest collection, takes inspiration from the body of Modernist English writers, philosophers and artists who became notorious for their colourful gatherings at Charleston House. Nestled in the Sussex countryside, Charleston House allowed the visionaries to escape the increasingly fast-paced, modern environment of the city that was expanding around them. This collection seeks to capture some of this rebelliously escapist sensibility, bustling with ultra-feminine efflorescent prints that echo the beautiful gardens at Charleston and Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell’s artwork around the house. The colour scheme is also reminiscent of nature with an emphasis on green and pastel floral shades that reflect the group’s investment in the English Countryside. Floaty, whimsical shapes from the era are evident but are contrasted with a masculine velvet smoking jacket, the combination of which encapsulates the bohemian and forward-thinking lifestyle of the members.

What influencers have you worked with and who you would like to work with? 

I have worked with Holly Rebecca White in the past who modelled our first and second collection! She is still super supportive of our brand! I’ve also worked with Hayley Margot and Paige Joanna too. We just announced our OA ambassador as Charlotte Moore from @girlonfilm before lockdown but we haven’t had the chance to shoot with her yet, but she’s been following us since the beginning! I’d love to work with some bloggers who I feel really encompass OA such as Liv Purvis, Sara Waiste and Onyi Moss, we’re also working with Siobhan from @justauniform too! 

-

For more information on Olivia Annabelle or to browse their collection, you can find them on their Instagram or their website.