Meet Olivia | Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Olivia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Olivia, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
The biggest decision I’ve ever made was to stop shrinking myself to fit into places that didn’t really see me. For a long time, I felt like I had to tone things down my designs just to be accepted—to make my work more simple, more “traditional,” more like what I thought people wanted. But deep down, I’ve always known that my style, my ideas, and the way I express myself were different—and that’s exactly what makes my work special.

I’ll never forget being interviewed for the Debut program at FIDM, heart pounding, hands trembling, after pouring everything I had into my presentation and my work. I had just shown them pieces of myself stitched into fabric—my spirit, my story, my dreams. I was so nervous, and then they said to me, “sometimes too much is too much.” I’ll never forget how that made me feel. In that moment, I started to question everything. Was I doing too much? Was I not what they were looking for?

But even though I was scared, I made a choice. I decided to believe in myself and the work I had created. I reminded myself that my vision is bold for a reason—that it’s okay to be different. That moment could’ve made me hide, but instead, I stood tall in who I am. And that changed everything.

That decision—to stay true to my style, to keep creating from a place that feels honest and real to me—is what helped me grow not just as a designer, but as a person. It’s what got me into the program, helped me close the show, and keeps pushing me forward every day. I realized that being “too much” is actually just being fully myself. And that’s something I’ll never apologize for again.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is all about embracing the chaos and beauty of life, and channeling that into pieces that tell a story. What sets me apart is my love for maximalism—the idea that more is more when it comes to creativity. I don’t just want my work to be seen, I want it to be felt, experienced, and lived in. Every piece I create, whether it’s a clothing collection, or a painting, it reflects my love for detail, texture, and bold colors. It’s an expression of everything that inspires me, from nature to patterns to personal experiences.
I’m most proud of how far I’ve come, even though the journey has definitely not been easy. Starting at FIDM in 2021 during the height of the pandemic, I didn’t have much sewing experience and had no idea how much it would push me out of my comfort zone. But through the late nights, the self-doubt, and the challenges, I grew. My art, my design style, and my voice started to take shape, and I learned to trust myself more and more along the way. I’m incredibly proud of the collection I created for my debut show. But it wasn’t just about the collection, it was about proving to myself that I can push through adversity and come out stronger on the other side. It hasn’t been an easy road, but the challenges have only made me more determined. From technical hurdles to mental blocks, there were plenty of moments when I thought about giving up. But I pushed through because I know that each challenge is part of the learning process. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that failure isn’t final, it’s a stepping stone to success. I’ve had to let go of perfection and embrace imperfection, because the process is just as valuable as the finished product.
As for my brand, this is just my beginning. I have so much more I want to explore, learn, and create. The world is full of possibilities, and I’m just scratching the surface. I want my work to reflect that sense of limitless potential. It’s not about following trends, it’s about making my own path and bringing people along with me on that journey. I want the world to know that my art is about being unapologetically yourself, embracing the beauty in all the messiness of life, and never being afraid to take risks. There’s so much more to come, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Some of my favorite spots in LA are a mix of nature and the city’s unique charm. If I were showing someone around, I’d make sure to highlight the places that really capture what I love about this city—the beauty of the outdoors, the vibrant energy, and the creative spirit that runs through everything. I’d start with a hike in Malibu to soak in the greenery and find a hidden waterfall. The peaceful vibe there makes it feel like a little escape from the city. Another favorite of mine is Beachwood Canyon, where the hike offers an amazing view of the city and feels like the perfect way to take it all in. I also love strolling through the Venice Canals and think everyone should walk around them at least once. There’s something calming about the peaceful water and the beautiful homes, and it’s always a great spot to unwind. If we’re up for shopping, I’d take them around to the flea markets, best vintage and thrift shops to find unique pieces, and the whole experience gives you a taste of LA’s eclectic vibe.
Of course, no visit to LA is complete without good food. I’d definitely take them to Bacari in Echo Park—my favorite restaurant, hands down. The food and ambiance are always on point. And between all the exploring, we’d definitely make time to watch the sunset at the beach. That’s where I find the most peace—just watching the colors of the sky change as the day winds down. It’s the simple moments like these that make LA feel like home.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There’s honestly no way I’d be where I am without the support of the people who believed in me even during the times I wasn’t sure I believed in myself. I’ll forever be grateful to my professors at FIDM who gave me the space to grow, mess up, and try again. They saw something in me from the start, and instead of trying to mold me into something else, they helped me lean into who I already was. They pushed me, guided me, and reminded me that my ideas mattered, even when they were bold, unconventional, or still taking shape. Some of my favorite memories are those long hours in the dye lab, covered in color, experimenting with fabrics and textures while one of my professors stood beside me, offering support, encouragement, and reminding me to trust the process. It wasn’t about getting it perfect on the first try; it was about discovering what was possible. They never tried to change my voice—they helped me develop it. They stood by me through the stressful late nights, the critiques, the doubts, and the breakthroughs. They helped bring my vision to life even when it felt out of reach. That kind of mentorship leaves a mark on you, and I carry their encouragement with me in everything I create.

I also owe a lot to the designers who came before me and weren’t afraid to push boundaries. I’ve always been drawn to boldness, color, drama—designers who create with emotion and intention, who don’t shy away from being too much. That kind of fearless creativity really shaped how I see fashion and gave me the confidence to do things my way.

I also want to shout out myself, for not giving up when things felt overwhelming. For staying true to my vision and pushing myself to think outside the box, even when the journey felt uncertain. I’ve learned that believing in yourself is one of the hardest yet most important things you can do. So this shoutout is for all the versions of me that kept showing up and creating, even when it felt like the path ahead wasn’t clear.

Website: https://www.oliviaronayne.com/

Instagram: theoliveissue

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-ronayne