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What Olivia Did...
Monday 6th August 2012 | Osh
Olivia Purvis’ blog is a perfect combination of vintage glamour, festival reviews and pretty snaps from her numerous tea party outings. A cross between Tennessee Thomas’ or Zooey Deschanel’s girly, individual style with a laid-back and relaxed approach, Olivia’s blog is my first stop for lady-like elegance with a quirky edge.
Paired with her tumbling dip-dyed curls or staple 60s inspired bee-hive and a dash of red lip-stick, Olivia’s blog is an insight into her daily adventures. Her penchant for statement, print trousers and love for all things sixties makes her my ideal style crush for fuss-free yet individual style. We were lucky enough to have a chat with Olivia herself about her style inspirations, her favourite purchase this month and, seeing as her blog shows her love for tea, who she’d have at her own vintage tea party.
Hey Olivia! Hope you’re good. I love having a look at your blog and it’s vintage, girly vibe. So, what triggered you to start it and how did you go about setting it up? Do you have any useful tips or advice for fellow bloggers?
It initially began as a music blog, which I posted reviews and gig photographs on- which I suppose is quite a stark contrast from where it is now! After a while, and reading lots of fashion and style blogs, I wanted to broaden my blogs focus, so signed up to Blogger- and the rest is history! To be honest, the best tip I have for any fellow bloggers is just do it! I think if you have the passion for your subject, and want to start a blog for the right reasons, then do it, everything else will just fall into place!
Yeah you can tell your hard work is paying off now and the blog is looking beautiful. Your personal style obviously shows throughout your blog; how would you describe your style?
I'd probably say; girlie yet tomboyish, colourful, nostalgic with a hint of sixties fun thrown in for good measure- quite a few things all at once!
Definitely can see the sixties influence on your style, especially when you do your hair in a beehive! So where are you from and what are you currently up to?
I'm from South East London, and am currently interning and blog writing, whilst working part time at one of my favourite shops.
Oh, that sounds cool. So, what has been your favourite fashion purchase been this month?
Oh goodness, this is tough! Probably a lace inset blouse I bought from Topshop on Payday! It's a little hippyish, but looks amazing with worn denim and some cool ankle boots!
Yeah, I think I saw that top on a recent blog post! You have just had an awesome holiday in Paris, where would your ideal holiday be and what would you do?
I'd love to visit Rome! I think it could probably be the perfect balance of city break and poolside Med-break. I'd do plenty of shopping, history hunting and of course tasting the amazing Italian cuisine.
It must be nice to receive free clothes! Have you ever received anything that actually is pretty horrific?
Nothing that springs to mind! If I know something rally won't be to my taste, I'll usually politely decline! I wouldn't want to waste a brands time!
Ha, I was hoping for some sort of horror story but I guess brands will only send you stuff that fits with what you already wear. So who would you say inspires your style?
Oh so many! There's people like Alexa Chung, Drew Barrymore, Fearne Cotton, and Audrey Hepburn who I always go to for amazing outfit combinations, but I can get inspired from reading magazines, blogs, street style, listening to my favourite bands, and even the people I surround myself with- my mum, best friend and boyfriend have the best style!
What I would give to have Audrey Hepburn’s elegance! So, are you a plan-your-outfit-the-night-before kind of girl or is it just a mad rush in the morning?
Oh goodness planning all the way! I'm hugely indecisive, so I like to plan out my options as far in advance as possible to allow for lots of mind changes!
I wish I had your organisation! On your blog there are a few posts of cute afternoon teas you have had. Who would you most like to invite to a tea party, be it celebrities, musicians or anyone who takes your fancy from the past or present day?
In fear of sounding hugely unoriginal, I'd love to have The Beatles there, with my new favourite band, Haim for music. Alexa Chung for style chats, Stephen Fry for endless fascinating conversation and probably Gizzi Erskine to help with major tea party preparation!
Sounds like the perfect party to me. What would you wear to sit front row at London Fashion Week?
If money was no object, I'd love to wear a gorgeous lace Valentino dress- but in a real world, probably a statement vintage dress, beehive, a slick of lipstick and some sky-high heels!
Apart from Valentino, what designers do you admire and why?
I adore Mulberry's Emma Hill and Alexander McQueens Sarah Burton, I think they both play such a huge part in maintaining the key element of British heritage style, which with fashion being so fast paced and changeable, is so important.
Your blog has quite a vintage, quirky feel to it. What has been your favourite vintage or charity shop find?
Probably some white sixties style pumps I picked up in Paris, they fit like a glove!
I know that you’re a big Arctic Monkeys fan, what else have you been listening to at the moment? Have you ventured to any festivals this summer and who did you see?
So much! My music taste is constantly changing and evolving, but I'm currently loving Haim, Black Lips, Friends, Spector and Jake Bugg. This year I've stayed in England for festivals, and went to Field Day and Lounge on the Farm, where I saw Blood Orange, Kindness, The Vaccines, Spector- and plenty of others in-between!
I’ve always had a soft spot for Dev from Blood Orange and, yeah, I’m starting to get into Friends at the moment too. I’ll have to check out the festivals! This might be a hard question but what is your, all time, favourite film?
500 Days of Summer ten times over!
Aw that film is so good! Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt make an ultimate pairing. If you could go back in time what era would be your first stop to visit?
Without a doubt the 1960's!
I should've known! Finally, what are your hopes for the future and do you think you’ll be working within the fashion industry?
One day, I'd LOVE to be working happily in the fashion industry, preferably either in writing or styling for a successful publication- a girl can dream!
I’m sure you can make that dream come true, Olivia. Good luck and thanks for talking to us!
For more style inspiration and to have a nose at Olivia's blog go to http://www.whatoliviadid.com/. You can see Olivia in the recent 'Dahlia' campaign below.
Rachel Thom @ThomRachel http://thomrachel.blogspot.co.uk/
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