Olivia Von Halle Teams Up With Harrods To Create The Loungewear Collection Of Our Dreams
Discover decadent pieces worth making a song and dance about, that are far too nice to just wear at home this holiday season…
With the end of a turbulent 2020 just around the corner, every one of us deserves to wave off this year in something that provides comfort, joy and glamour in equal measures.
Step forward the new Cabaret Collection from Olivia von Halle in collaboration with Harrods, which has arrived just in time for the cooler months of the year. Embrace extravagance in the form of super-soft silk and dreamy velvet loungewear, adorned with opulent prints and intricate embroidery, just as fitting whether you’re enjoying celebrations at home or on the town this New Year’s Eve.
We caught up with Olivia herself to talk all things 2020, the new collection and fabulous festive dinners…
Lila bird print robe
What’s the inspiration behind The Cabaret Collection?
The glamour of the 1920s, and the decadent style of a cabaret club. We dived into the archive to mimic the kind of outsized, over-the-top glamour that was encouraged everywhere at the time: at home, on the red carpet, in the ballroom, and, of course, at the cabaret. My Design Director and I always love to turn to these exotic historical references, and these then form the backbone of much of our prints and the visual theme of the collection itself.
Do you have a favourite piece?
The Capability Baronet. It’s quite over the top and it’s a head-turner, it’s the sort of piece that gets people talking as you walk into the room. It’s a sumptuous navy velvet dressing gown, piped with pink Lurex, and heavily embroidered with these incredibly beautiful flowers. I think it speaks to the kind of glamour that Olivia von Halle is all about.
Capability Baronet
Which pieces do you think will do well in the Middle East?
Either our Coco Baronet or the Queenie Cabaret, they are both heavily embellished and luxuriously hand-embroidered. They would look incredible on those looking for something quite decadent and special; I love how our Middle Eastern clients have a look of empowered glamour. Because we designed the collection exclusively in partnership with Harrods, it’s been a real labour of love, and our most luxurious collection ever, involving months of hand-detailing from our makers.
Queenie Cabaret
It’s festive season; what piece from the collection would make the ideal gift for one of your loved ones?
My best friend can’t sleep without our eye masks and I think the Baronet Eye Mask would be an amazing one to add to her collection. It is super-embellished with beautiful sequins and is made from silk velvet, so it is incredibly soft and comforting.
The collection is great for festive dressing, what’s your perfect kind of celebratory night out?
It seems like a luxury having all my girlfriends together now, I’d love to have them to mine for a singalong led by my all-time favourite pianist, Carl Joseph. I always have him to do our staff Christmas parties, as he’s incredible and can play anything, from a Christmas carol to an Elton John classic.
Baronet Eye Mask
What’s your dream festive look to wear out?
Anything rather head-turning; maybe a long evening dress by Alessandra Rich – there’s something lovely and dramatic about them. Otherwise, for a statement Olivia von Halle look, I think you can always wear our silk and velvet pyjamas as eveningwear. Especially the beautiful Coco Baronet from this collection. Pair them with some Amina Muaddi shoes or velvet Osman platforms. And you can’t go wrong with a festive red lip. I love Dragon Girl by Nars, it’s a really strong matte red but it stays on all night.
What’s your perfect festive night in?
With my husband and boys, recreating those special Christmas moments I had in childhood. This means tucking into bed with them, reading The Night Before Christmas, putting out the carrot for the reindeer and the mince pies for Father Christmas or watching Elf together.
Lila printed silk satin pyjama
When it comes to festive dinners – how do you like yours?
My husband is an amazing chef and as I’m a vegetarian, he sweetly makes me my own special little holiday dinners, with a nut roast and vegetarian gravy. The rest of the family, of course, have a huge turkey. We always have a big Christmas pudding and put a beautiful antique set of silver charms into it when making it.
This year, holiday season may be a little different due to the pandemic. How has Covid affected OVH the brand?
2020 has been a banner year for luxury leisurewear and we’ve seen an unprecedented demand for Olivia von Halle with so many people homebound. If we’re homebound for the time being, we might as well be as comfortable as possible. I think the joys of cashmere and silk as argued by our wardrobe are very convincing! I think the future of luxury leisurewear and loungewear is very strong, as our paradigms of work and life continue to absorb the massive change that’s happening daily. I think at Olivia von Halle we are fortunate to be a brand that is there with a cult, devoted following, and we continue to support them with a wardrobe that provides flair for days that feel the same.
Lila snake print pyjama
Did it give the brand time to slow down and reflect in any way?
It has allowed us to expand our vision of what the brand is, as well as to refine our offerings. I think we’re seeing a shift in not only the ways of working, but also in what we wear; Olivia von Halle will be here to reflect that! And our success is already reflective of this.
How has it affected you personally?
I have two sons aged one and four, and I am six-months pregnant with a little girl, and we have been lucky to have a lot of help at home, but when Covid struck our help vanished – I became the nanny, the cleaner and the dog walker overnight. It was very hard at first, but as we got fitter and more used to keeping up with the endless demands of the boys, it has been incredible. We have become so close as a family and I will always be grateful that we had this time together, just the four of us.
Coco Baronet Pyjama
What else is coming from OVH?
I’m incredibly excited about our recent partnership with a new agency in the Middle East, so expect plenty of exciting activations and events soon. Hopefully, there will some day be an Olivia von Halle store there too. Next year we are expanding our organic cotton, which is sustainable, and also our slippers, which are a joy to wear: I basically never want to take them off!
What are your hopes for 2021?
To travel, to kiss everyone I meet and to go to a big party, all were completely routine things in 2019 but feel completely insane in 2020!
Shop the Cabaret collection here with free international shipping and returns on all orders.
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s December 2020 issue