Meet Olga Yanul: Fashion director, creative consultant, CEO On The Map creative, animal lover, vegetarian, traveler

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

Hi Olga, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
when I was just at the begging of my career – I was obsessed with idea of making it, and to be honest incredibly inspired by what I was doing. Fashion was my full time life and for some exciting projects I could literally stay up for 24 hours, with basically no personal life. I think that was one of the main reasons to get into Vogue Ukraine, when it was launching few years ago. Of course, working for Vogue was always a dream, but the level of dedication to the magazine and fashion rose up tremendously, mixed up with deadlines and work trips. Three years ago I moved to Los Angeles and realized I have to priorities and structure my life. I think the main factor was the time difference, as I kept working with Europe – here in LA I realized I cant be on line 24/7 as I did before. The first step I took – just to put do not disturb mode on my phone, that way I’m not having anxiety attacks during the night when the phone is active all time. Being on line on our phones all time changed our lives completely, that almost implies we are available all time for email, call or chat. I think thats where we should pause and learn to take breaks from the phones. During pandemic it took even more drastic scale – staying at home mostly all time on phones or computers almost erased the idea of personal time. Its like you’re constantly working – always available online. People feel normal to text with work related question on Sunday – because why not – what else are you doing during lockdown – another similar day at home? My main steps – is to plan digital detox days – when I’m trying to check the phone as less as possible. To keep my mind relaxed and focused on real life activities (like hiking, gardening, fun road trips, reading book, learning smth new). For me its Sunday, but it can be any day of the week really – what works better for you. Learn to disconnect and pay attention to your inner self, otherwise we risk to be burned out and work will not make sense anymore. We have to learn to balance – to get the maximum of joy and pleasure every minute.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m Fashion director, currently at Lofficiel Ukraine, also contributing to Vogue Portugal, Vogue CZ and some of the independent magazines. I also work with designers and brands – consulting, styling, helping produce and build up the creative network. For this I have launched On The Map Creative – a company of the new era that helps put brands out to the right target and audience. Its not PR, its not show-room, its not just consulting and production – its a holistic approach, understanding the brands needs and worlds capabilities, we put this together. With the experience and expertise I have got working with the best magazines and teams, attending some of the most exclusive events and having an opportunity to connect to the best talents – we are able to perform some of the most complicated tasks. I’m incredibly inspired by art, so everything I do – I would like to call an art piece. Inspired by art, or even be the art itself. Has a message and purpose as well as timeless beauty and meaning.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
this would be my map: Ocean side: definitely just take a drive along PCH and stop by Neptuns Nest for fish and chips, watch surfers (or surf) at Topanga canyon beach, stop by Sunset Cafe at Point Dume beach for the best happy hour with the view and really cool vibe, check Venice beach for a hippie vibe and bicycle ride by the ocean, drive around beautiful Palos Verdes and check incredible glass church designed by Lloyd Wright, spend a day in picturesque Laguna beach, visit iconic architecture of Eames house in Pacific Palisades, stop by Getty villa to check incredible ancient art collection, go wale watching in NewPort beach – its breathtaking! Dinner at one of the iconic LA: Chateau, Sunset towers, Matsuhisha, Beverly Hills hotel, Soho house, Yamashiro, cafe Stella. Downtown dive at Walt Disney concert hall (check the gardens!), Broad, arts district streets and galleries, Hauser&Wirth gallery and space around, my fav Italian place in town Factory kitchen, Eastern building with its stores and Ill Cafe, The ROW shopping and market in arts district. Huntington library in Pasadena for the immerse botanical gardens, OWL buro for rare books and cool vibe. Franklyn Canyon for hike – almost none around and breathtaking views. Getty center for a splendid day with arts and architecture. OMG and so much more!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’m incredibly happy and lucky to be surrounded by creative and mega talented people. Grateful to universe for bringing each one of them into my life. My partner work& life Tony Jay, and to be honest so many talented people here in LA! Davis Factor , who is almost like my LA godfather, Gladys Tamez with her amazing energy and temper, Aliona Kononova with her incredible unique vision, incredible female artists Renee Parkhurst and Jane Minaeva, breathtaking Flamingo Estate with its lifestyle and idea of leaving. Tobees Small dog rescue for the amazing job they are doing helping the pups (and for my dogs specifically).

Website: olgayanul.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olgayanul/, https://www.instagram.com/otmcreatives/

Image Credits
photographs: Jane Minaeva cover pic: Renee Parkhurst