About Olivia Mars
My Story
Introduction
Growing up in the midwest, I remember asking my parents over and over to go to the mall so I could look at the clothes. The mall was the closest I could get to fashion at the time and I would absorb as much of it as I could. As I got older I was able to explore the world of design unlike I was ever able to before. My eyes were immediately drawn to garments of designers of years past, even at that age I knew that you had to understand the past to be able to create the future. My first fashion idol can to me in the form of Elsa Schiaparelli. Introduced to me by my high school fashion illustration teacher, I immediately felt a connection to her through design. The way she created surrealism and art had a deeper effect on me than the silly garments in a midwestern mall. The other fashion legends who inspired me include: the American mother of the modern silhouette, Claire McCardell; Oscar de la Renta, a master of elegance and passion; Elie Saab opened my eyes to the beauty of embellishments; and Miuccia Prada, a powerhouse of Italian style. I see myself in all of these designer’s works and inspire me with the symbolism and meaning behind their art.
Inspiration
In my third year of college I was lucky enough to study abroad in both London, England and Florence, Italy. In London I was exposed to a city full of history and modernity. I was able to walk the cobblestone paths and explore centuries old buildings and then hop off the Tube into the middle of one of the world’s economic centers. In the beautiful, ancient city of Florence Italy you are constantly surrounded by the relics of the past. You walk down ancient roads, surrounded by medieval buildings and churches and yet you walk among people wearing the seasons hottest fashions and bright colors. Both London and Florence have echoes of the past but are still leaders of modern fashion design; they recognize their past so they can lead the way into the future.
Design Philosophy
1. “Remember that you must die”
In Latin, the phrase “Memento Mori” translates to “Remember you must die”; encouraging you to live life to the fullest because your time is limited and that is why it is so precious. The green leaves on the trees can be somewhat boring until they change in the fall; this beautiful finale of color signaling that their lifespan is coming to an end. You have one life and allowing other people's opinions of you to control your life will just lead to pain and regret.
2. Balance with contrast
Balance is one of the core features of design. You need the ugly to truly understand the beautiful, the pain to really appreciate pleasure, and the strength to create the delicate. You cannot have one without the other, living in a world of comfort can make you forget the importance of discipline and constant discipline without comfort can make you wonder why you started working in the first place.
3. Funny, Beautiful, and Real
I enjoy combining a sharp feeling of emotion with the comfort and reliability of structure. Removing the seriousness of elegance with humor and surprise is what drives me as a designer. I find that using the contrast of humor and beauty to balance the need to be perfect with the need to be real. Nostalgia = comfort, I enjoy shaking up the monotony of tradition with bright colors, luxurious embellishments, and romantic and whimsical symbolism.