In an exclusive interview, Olga Yermoloff, Founder and Designer of Olvi’s Lace, tells us how her love for lace sparked the launch of her own business, how the Olvi’s Lace brand has grown, and about the incredible efforts and resilience involved in relocating families from their Ukrainian production team during such difficult times.
Olga Yermoloff, Founder & Designer of Olvi’s Lace
Tell us a little about your background and how you decided to launch Olvi’s.
I have always had an immense passion for the arts, leading me first to pursue classical music and afterwards a career in fashion after I fell deeply in love with a lace piece that I saw in a vintage London store. My journey in the industry began like that, with a deep appreciation for the timeless elegance of this sensitive yet strong fabric.This admiration for lace’s intricate beauty inspired me to create Olvi’s which is a noun that comes from Spanish & it means creativity, versatility and originality
How has the brand grown over the years and what would you say makes the Olvi’s brand truly unique?
Olvi’s has seen a remarkable growth since its beginning due to its uniqueness. We have expanded our collections to include not only cocktail dresses, but also evening wear and bridal. What sets Olvi’s apart is our commitment to craftsmanship and the use of extremely high-quality lace and overall fabrics. Each piece is meticulously handcrafted with love by our dedicated seamstresses, ensuring that every garment is unique and made with all the attention to detail. Our dedication to creating timeless and elegant designs has helped us build a loyal customer base and we aim to keep expanding more & more worldwide.
With a love for lace, where do you get your inspiration from?
Inspiration comes from various sources for me. I find beauty in everything really, from nature, art, and the world around me. Traveling to different places and experiencing different cultures also plays a significant role in shaping my designs. Additionally, the Olvi’s Muses who wear our designs inspire me; their grace fuel my creativity and drive me to create pieces that make them feel exceptionally beautiful and empowered.
What are some highlights of the current bridal collection?
Our current Bridal collection features a range of styles from classic, timeless silhouettes to more contemporary and daring designs. There is something for every bride to say “I Do” in Olvi’s. Actually, now in our online store – www.olvis-lace.com – we are doing a special offer: By shopping a bridal gown from our Ecommerce we’ll offer a veil! And we have the most exquisite selection of veils!
Not only does Olvi’s create bridal gowns, but much more. Tell us about it.
Yes, Olvi’s is not limited to bridal wear. In fact it all started with cocktail dresses. We offer a wide range of ensembles for all kinds of special occasions from garden parties to evening soirées. And in the bridal world we can dress literally everyone from the cutest flower girl, Mother of the Bride & Groom to the most glamorous wedding guests and of course all fabulous bridesmaids!
With a production facility in Ukraine, how has your team managed in such a difficult situation?
The situation in Ukraine has certainly caused significant challenges for our production team and for all over the world really. It is devastating. However, we are incredibly proud of our resilience and dedication. Now, we own two production units – one based in Portugal & the other in Ukraine – due to these current challenging times, Olvi’s has always supported and will continue to support the team. So, over the past year, Olvi’s facilitated the relocation and rehabilitation of Ukraine’s Production Team to Portugal, along with their families. So far, we have successfully helped twenty families to find new homes and become self sufficient in Portugal and continuing to support all of our Ukraine Team.
How hard has it been making these kinds of adjustments and what are your hopes for the future?
Adjusting to the current situation has been extremely tough, but it has also showed our resilience. Looking forward, I hope for stability and peace, not only for our team in Ukraine but for everyone affected by the ongoing conflict. We all have to be optimistic and that Olvi’s and of course humanity, will emerge even stronger.
Looking back at your career, what are you most proud of and what would be your advice for a newly starting out business owner or designer?
Reflecting on my career of more than twenty years, I am most proud of building Olvi’s into a brand that is loved worldwide. The journey is challenging but immensely rewarding. My advice to emerging designers or brand is to stay true to your vision. Persistence, hard work & a huge commitment to quality are crucial. Success comes from all these ingredients combined plus courage to follow your real passion.
We would like to thank Olga Yermoloff for this interview.
For further information on the brand and collections, visit Olvi’s Lace