24 Hours With Olga Leffers: How She Spends Her Day
Founder of the VintageDream gallery and founder and creative director of the Leffers clothing brand; art historian, vintage expert, collector, columnist, and style historian Olga Leffers is a fashion force to be reckoned with
8.00AM: My bedroom is calm, cosy and filled with soothing neutral tones that create a restful atmosphere. The walls are adorned with modern art, and the decor features unique pieces I’ve collected, each adding a distinct character to the space.
I don’t wake up too early, since I usually go to bed late. I’m a night owl, finding inspiration and energy in the quiet hours.
I start my day with a light stretch and breathing exercises, then enjoy a shower with aromatic oils, followed by a simple skincare routine, which includes my favourite creamy face masks. I use Clarins body oils after showering because they leave my skin feeling nourished and soft. For body care, I prefer products from Thalion, as they provide excellent hydration and feel luxurious on the skin.
For hair, I use shampoo from Duar, which works well for my hair type and keeps it healthy and shiny. And for brushing, I use a Japanese Majestic comb that’s gentle on my hair, helping to prevent breakage while giving a smooth finish. I also like black tea first thing after my morning routine. I don’t need coffee but can’t resist a delicious Italian one occasionally…
My style inspiration comes from a mix of iconic vintage style and modern fashion influences. Mood always comes first. Then according to how I feel I will choose my accessories and clothing. I avoid minimalism and basics. My style is an eclectic mix of brands, including pieces from Leffers and vintage jewellery from VintageDream.
I love unique, high-quality brands from around the world and always seek out special or limited pieces. I treasure my Hermés and Chanel bags. My wardrobe also holds many vintage, collectable pieces, including lifetime Chanel jackets and limited-edition items from designers who are no longer with us. These are the pieces I value most, carefully preserving them as they represent a true legacy.
My two older sons study abroad, so when I wake up, my husband and my youngest daughter, Jacqueline, have already left for work and school. My breakfast companion is my ragdoll cat named Leo.
11:00AM: My breakfast is usually at 11.00AM and often merges with lunch. My favourite dish is avocado toast with poached egg. I love to cook myself. It’s a personal ritual, even though I enjoy dining out too. I check the worldwide news feeds to stay in touch with the market but most of the time, I try to be here and now while I am eating.
12.00PM: Around noon I head into the city for work or meetings. My car is like a home on wheels; it has everything I need – a lighted mirror for make-up, a clothing rail and more. With Moscow’s traffic, going home to change isn’t an option, so I often switch outfits and refresh my make-up right in the car, sometimes up to three times in one evening. I used to love driving myself, but now that’s a luxury I can’t afford due to time constraints. I get a lot done on the road, like Zoom calls and responding to messages.
My arrival time varies depending on my schedule, and each day unfolds differently. It could be fitting samples for my brand’s new collection, meetings, planning sessions, content shoots, interviews – my work is incredibly multifaceted, and that’s exactly why I love it.
I have a small office in each of my boutiques, as well as a well-equipped home office. However, I spend very little time there.
1.00PM: My team handles spreadsheets, presentations, and reports. I focus on brand development and creative direction, which requires interacting with people rather than sitting in front of a computer. I stay connected with everyone daily, no matter where I am. Each brand has its own office and dedicated team, along with a separate team that manages other projects and my personal brand. Our staff is constantly growing as we expand, and we’re now around 30 people across all teams.
2.00PM: I usually have lunch in restaurants, combining it with business meetings. I try to eat well, mainly vegetables with either meat or fish. If I don’t have time for a full meal, I’ll grab sliced avocado and some nuts as a quick snack. I follow the anti-lectin diet by Steven Gundry. My work often flows into evening events, many of which are work-related, so I often get home quite late. In the evening, I attend social events, especially ones connected to fashion or hosted by friends.
12.00AM: I prefer cosy, intimate gatherings with the people I love. Spending time with my family, relaxing with a good book or enjoying a quiet evening with my cat, Leo – especially if everyone else has already gone to bed. I usually go to bed around midnight.
Olga’s Picks:
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s December 2024 issue