"OLIVIASADE is transitioning into a space where the clothes have a story and their audience will hang onto that story for years to come."
By Isaiah Brown
Photographed by Jayla Garnett
May 03, 2025
Olivia Sade’s style is a reflection of the city itself—bold, layered, and unapologetically eclectic. “New York forces you to be real,” she tells Creativeface. “"We're living in a time where everything has a haul or breakdown on how to live and what to wear, it's important to remember that we as individuals have shaped the culture”
In this exclusive feature, we follow Olivia across iconic NYC backdrops—from living in atlanta to coming back home realizing she no longer wants to hide in the scene.—capturing the essence of a creative at the top of her game. She opens up about her journey, inspirations, and how New York’s relentless pace fuels her vision.
For Olivia Sade, fashion isn’t just about clothes—it’s a way of claiming space and making a statement. And in a city like New York, that’s exactly what’s needed.
Zayp - hey Olivia! thank you for taking the time out of your day to talk to us. how you been? I seen you just got back from Paris fashion week recently, how was that experience
OLIVIA - I feel like I’ve been in a whirlwind lately — Paris is definitely somewhere where time doesn’t feel real and everything feels like everything. I’ve been working a lot with the upcoming collective, New Idea and had the opportunity to work with 424 on their premiere show in Paris alongside seeing Shemar Pierre take over the afters with Outlander Magazine — it’s been a trip to day the least.
It’s the kind of trip where you come back with a brand new perspective and new drive — it was needed for sure.
ZayP — I definitely get it! Paris is one of the places where things move extremely fast but slow at the same time. Very busy but you learn so much. the 424 show was really great, how was it working with Guillermo? and what’s some things you learned that you could put into your own brand
Shemar Pierre is amazing, what’s the connection between you two? how did y’all become friends?
& yes!, after seeing your debut runway collection, I think we’re all extremely excited to see what’s next!
What was the process of completing your first show and what’s some things you’re focusing on now to make sure your next collection is even better
OLIVIA — It’s funny to say sometimes I truly love to be the fly on the wall — capturing the chaos of someone else’s creation and seeing them at work. It’s not often these days you see many take charge of what their narrative means and channeling that into the world for others to consume. In Paris, I saw firsthand how meticulous the little details mean to the overall picture, from each model casted and down to even the movement of the models — everything was important and everything is important. It’s something I want to convey through OLIVIASADE — you’ll find the smallest detail and know there was thought put behind it.
Shemar is someone very special and I keep those who inspire me + that I’d admire very close. It’s special to know those around me on a personal level and it drives me to share them with the world. I was introduced to Shemar through his initial project, All Cowboys Go to Heaven where I lived in the party. I ran around Atlanta with my best friend, Ruth with a half shaved head in leopard print and fishnets screaming Rush333. Everything he does makes you feel something and that’s important.
With his latest project, Leather and Fur, it almost feels like a sonic escape. Where you can lose yourself and find yourself in one sitting .. and then you think, this guy is fucking crazy. Those are people who inspire me to revel in my chaos.
The first show would’ve been absolutely nothing without Maya Avery — she was one of the first few people who I shared that idea (dream) and she immediately was all hands on deck with producing it in its entirety. She listened to every audio note sent at 2AM and every doubt I had along the way — together, we made that show something that sat with a lot of people from all over even to this very day.
It felt like it was time for me to break out of that box where everything is a brand and everything can be clothes but what makes you feel? OLIVIASADE is transitioning into a space where the clothes have a story and their audience will hang onto that story for years to come. Throughout this entire process, I’ve learned the art of patience and how important it is to ignore the world and move on your own time. OLIVIASADE is intentional, it is ground-breaking and it is quality across the board. The forefront of the brand is story-telling and quality + it lives off of those who support it blindly and those who inspire it, I’m excited to share its growth with everyone especially those who saw it before what it is today.
ZayP — Love that! so important to just be a student of the game first!
I’m glad you brought up details because that’s definitely something I wanted to touch on to our readers who may not have seen the debut collection, the details of the pieces is incredibly creative, genius like innovative type designs! The coke body club xl sweats (a personal favorite!), the wild for the night piece is a gold mine. What makes you come up with these ideas olivia haha, What’s give you that random inspiration? do you study the greats and move or you just can find it from a train ride, a light walk in the city? how does Olivia Sade source her inspiration
Yes so important, I’ve heard of Leather and fur, that’s a perfect project! I really love how your group of friends are all creative, i know about Ruth and her song “Bad idea” also . Very talented group you keep around you! Did you all meet in Atlanta?
& Yes I agree! Extremely important especially as a creative to move on your own pace and block out the outside noise because that show 100% still has buzz in the city from September. Personally my favorite show that fashion week, Like everyone I know is anxiously waiting for the next collection! I know it’ll be your best work yet!
Back to your last collection, what was one of your favorite pieces you created, the one that made you say “this the one”!?
OLIVIA — For the show, it came from something deeper than what it seems. There was a time a few years ago when I thought the answer to my problems was to run and that prompted me to move to Atlanta.
I ran to Atlanta and gave into everything — I did drugs, I drank, I partied. I was in Atlanta away from everything I’ve ever known in New York and I sat with everything I was feeling. Everything has an end and there was a constant lingering question of when I was coming home. To my friends, to my family and to myself.
I came back to New York and realized I no longer wanted to hide in the scene. I wanted to find my way home and the show felt perfect then. All the long nights outside led to my dad always asking me if I was coming home today and that was when I knew I had a show name. My inspiration comes from my experiences, my relationships and my world — that’s why it feels so true to myself.
All my friends are so talented, it actually makes me so happy to talk about Ruth. When we share a story about how we met, it feels like it’s been years when we’ve only met two years ago. We connected with other girls between New York and Atlanta + our friendship grew through us living together in Atlanta and now us being together in New York. It’s beautiful to connect in this way and be able to grow with them.
One of the most exciting pieces from the collection would really be the heels — I really challenged myself to break the idea of only designing clothing. With the collection, there’s a lot of necessities that make the party girl — a lot of prints, sequin, cheekiness and most importantly, fringe. The fringe heels are going to be the new rave with boho chic being the next go to amongst the girls. The accessories and heels are going to define the collection this time around and it’s so exciting to see that unfold behind the scenes.
ZAYP — Wow. Knowing the backstory really makes you appreciate the collection more. Amazing story for just the show name. Kind of shows you how you’re just on a completely different level mentally than a lot of fashion designers. It’s real passion for you that goes in these project!
I’ll say for the upcoming designers getting into this field, wanting to have a debut show at nyfw, wanting to be established, or even trying to find the first step to start. What’s a piece of advice you’ll give them, something someone told you when you were starting or something you wish someone would’ve told you starting out?
& Yes the heels was crazy! the cheetah print ones & “I love olivia sade” ones were a favorite for sure. So excited about this next collection!!
Seeing your early work and how much you evolved in designing and just personal style, I have to end with this .. What is your vision for Olivia Sade in 5-10 years?
OLIVIA — I actually was having this conversation the other day and the most important advice I have received and can give is to believe in yourself and be your authentic self. Nothing beats creating something unique to you because everybody wants that window into your world — into what makes you you. We’re living in a time where everything has a haul or breakdown on how to live and what to wear, it’s important to remember that we as individuals have shaped culture. Be yourself, believe in yourself and everything will work out.
OLIVIASADE is something much bigger than myself — it is the future, it is the past, it is the moment. I want to bridge all industries under the guise of what OLIVIASADE’s world truly looks like. It’s one with no rules, no limits and made for those who think outside the box.
I can’t say for sure where it’ll be but I know it’ll be something that’ll live beyond me.
ZAYP — Honestly truly this probably was one of my favorite interviews. Your answers showed a lot about olivia sade the person, the designer and the brand. I believe our readers is going to learn so much about the two, can’t thank you enough for this Olivia! I’m 100% sure the readers will be excited about this issue! Thank you again & talk soon olivia!
OLIVIA — thank you thank you!!!! so so excited, congratulations on the issue!!!!
