Charlotte Olympia opens up about childhod, family and fashion

​

Charlotte Olympia Dellal creates shoes and accessories with a distinctly British sense of humour and a SERIOUS BUSINESS strategy, which has brought her great success

YOUR FAMILY WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE FASHION INDUSTRY. HOW DID THIS INFLUENCE YOU?

As a little girl, I always liked dressing up and was surrounded by very glamourous women who certainly inspired my love for fashion.

HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF PURSUING A CAREER IN MODELLING?

No, although my mother Andrea Dellal has definitely influenced me. The fact that she was a model meant I was exposed to fashion from a very young age. Sometimes, I would go to see her in a fashion show or shoot; I always found the energy of backstage so exciting. My mother has great style and has always had the most amazing wardrobe since I was little, one to rival any Vogue closet! She has always enjoyed dressing up and that’s something I've taken from her.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO FOCUS ON DESIGNING SHOES AND ACCESSORIES?

I always wanted to be a fashion designer from a very early age, but it was in my foundation year that I discovered that I wanted to specialize in footwear and went on to do a degree at Cordwainer’s in London. It was always my dream to start my own business and I decided to pursue this as soon as I graduated.

A RETRO-AESTHETIC IS A STRONG FEATURE OF YOUR COLLECTIONS. WHERE DOES THIS COME FROM?

I take a fairly nostalgic approach to design. The essence and sensibility of the brand comes from my love for timeless old Hollywood glamour and strong feminine role models. I love movie stars and pinups from the 1940s and 50s. My grandmother Zehava came from that era and was a very glamorous and beautiful woman. My retro hair waves and red lips are influenced by her. ♦

​