I met Olivia when we were both 18, just out of high school, in a club where we danced and ordered vanilla vodka lime sodas. Ever since she has inspired me creatively, professionally and become one of my dearest friends, even though we almost never seem to be able to settle in the same city. First she moved to Melbourne to go to Whitehouse. Then I went to study in France for a year. Then after a few brief stints in between London and Dubai, she came back to Sydney, I returned home to Sydney and now she’s taken off to Dubai again. Her taste in everything is sumptuous, sensual, gorgeous and yet so utterly pure. Take a look at her blog here. Her eye for beauty really says so much about who she is. Well, I miss her terribly but I realise I know so little about her life in Dubai, life in general there, so I asked her to tell me about her childhood there, how it’s changed, how one passes the time, her latest pursuits…Did I mention she is beautiful?
You got a job over there! That is fantastic! What do you do? Who do you work for? What do you love about it?
I’m currently Marketing Coordinator for Woods Bagot’s Dubai studio. Woods Bagot is an architectural firm that started in Adelaide around 150 years ago. Their philosophy is about the ‘global studio’. I love that even though I am the only one responsible for marketing in Dubai, I can contact other marketing team members in any of our studios internationally, talk with them for an hour or so and learn about what they’re doing or have a training session. The possibility of working in the other studios is also exciting.
Woods Bagot is a dynamic and innovative company. You feel like you are contributing to something bigger than just what you do in your region. I really enjoy working with architects and interior designers.
Tell me about the degree you did in Melbourne and how that has impacted your working life and approach to design.
I studied a Bachelor of Design specialising in Creative Direction at the Whitehouse Institute of Design. Living and studying in Melbourne was a very precious experience for me. It was a place that facilitated opportunities to be creative and work out how I wanted to go on professionally, being exposed to communication designers, creative directors, fashion designers, jewellery designers, stylists, interior architects, photographers and writers. All people I became friends with and learned from, and who still influence what I do.
What do you look for, in an employer/company?
In an ideal world, I look for good people and respect for internal culture and balance of life. I look for innovation and appreciation of design holistically. Haha, and I look for somewhere that is close by to home because there is something about the daily commute that I just cannot hack.
What, or who, nurtures your creativity?
I suppose I nurture my own creativity. But the things I draw a connection with are everything from a beach walk early on a Saturday, to walking home a different way from work, to new places to eat and drink, galleries, performances, product design, good publications (print and online), playing with watercolours, my friends, my family. I’d hope everything in my life inspires me in one-way or another. It keeps you motivated and fresh.
You’re very beautiful in so many ways. What does beauty mean to you?
I think beauty for an individual means tangibly seeing happiness and consistent values in that person. Seeing the person take care of themselves and respect themselves; seeing them laugh. Seeing graceful and eloquent behaviour; confidence and fair mindedness; living their own ambition, wants and dreams; caring about others and helping when they can.
What are your essential every day beauty and hair products and routine?
In the morning I cleanse with Aesop Fabulous Cleanser, use a base moisturiser (this varies, at the moment it is an Elemis pro collagen beauty balm), then I use a Chanel foundation and powder, YSL eyeliner and mascara, and then paw-paw ointment. In the evenings I cleanse again, either with Aesop again or Nivea wipes (depends on how tired I am), and then I use Jurlique’s day cream, and an Elemis pro collagen eye serum. I also have Aesop’s Fabulous Face Oil, which I use when my skin needs extra hydration. I also moisturise with Kiehl’s body butter, which is heavenly. My hair is pretty easy to maintain. At the moment I am simply using a Coconut Shampoo & Conditioner by Boots. I wash my hair every couple of days and blow dry it often.
What beauty products/fashion/creative company have you discovered in Dubai that don’t exist anywhere else?
I think the first few I would note would be Brownbook, The Outpost, Slash Brand Tailors, D.Tales and though not a company/fashion/beauty related, The Archive. Also Comptoir 102…particularly Comptoir 102, Lindyl you would adore everything about it.
So, are you styling yourself differently living in Dubai? How is the approach to style different to say, Sydney, and Melbourne?
I haven’t changed my style at all. The style here isn’t that different to Sydney and Melbourne, I suppose you see a different swing on it as youth culture isn’t as prevalent here, and people tend to cover up more out of respect for religion. But generally, I still do my own thing. If anything with work, I find the studio environment slightly more corporate than I would if I were working in the same company in Sydney.
How has Dubai changed for you since you were a child living there?
Dubai is a completely different place these days. When I lived here as a 5 year old, initially we had a sandpit for a backyard. The tallest tower on Sheikh Zayad Road was probably the World Trade Centre, and nobody had heard of Dubai at home. Now the tallest tower in the world is on Sheikh Zayad Road, our local beach has been filled in with giant development plans, and the park that I know and love so dearly and grew up with, is about to be half lost due to the city implementing a big canal system. Not to mention that the Dubai Marina didn’t exist at all. One thing that hasn’t changed is that there are still exotic animals in random gardens (I saw a peacock in a gumtree yesterday), there is bougainvillea everywhere, and the sound of the Mosques calling to prayer at 5am make me nostalgic.
Educate me! Tell me your favourite bars, restaurants, galleries, gardens in Dubai!
My absolute favourite bar in Dubai would be 360. It is a rooftop bar atop a round building half a kilometre out into the ocean. It sits underneath the Burj Al Arab. On a balmy evening, they serve up happy hour and very chilled music.
For cafés, I tend to go to newly opened Tom & Serg a lot. It is located in Al Quoz which historically is a very industrial area. It is becoming quite gentrified with a lot of design, PR and photographic studios renovating and setting up in these underutilised warehouse spaces. I went to a warehouse party in one of them not long ago, which was awesome – a very new thing to do here in Dubai. Around there is one of Dubai’s better art hubs called Alserkal Avenue. It is a fun time to be in Dubai at the moment with lots of creative initiatives – Dubai International Film Festival, Design Days Dubai, Art Dubai, Sikka Art Fair in Al Bastikaya and Downtown Design later in the year. La Serre is a great French patisserie and bistro, Mama Tani has incredible Emirati food, and you can never beat the little juice stands down by the Creek in Old Dubai. You can buy Karak (Emirati tea – very strong and sweet in little cups), fresh lemon and mint juice, coconuts and Turkish delight.
We always spoke about me living in Paris and you in London. Do you ever think, ok where will I be in five years time? What is your future wish/dream?
Yeah for sure. I’m thinking that now. And the answer? No idea. I used to be so careful about trying to plan, and life just doesn’t work that way. Having dreams and a day at a time mentality will ultimately be the best planning philosophy.
At times of stress, or homesickness or worry, or just craziness, how do you find your zen?
Meditation. I know it sounds a little overstated at the moment, but it is bloody awesome. That, good tea and laughter help me sort through any issues.
Favourite place in the world? Try to pick one…
Alright. Parisromeflorencenewyorksydneyamalfidubaisydneymelbournehelsinkipluseverywhereelse. That is a damn good place. Haha. I’ve grown up traveling and wanting to go to new places all the time. I could never choose one.
MINIJUPE 