SPOTLIGHT ON OLIVIA VON HALLE
Synonymous with uncompromising luxury, von Halle’s designs blur the line between nightwear and ready-to-wear
Queen of luxe loungewear
Olivia von Halle was living in Shanghai, working as a trend forecaster, when she discovered her love for loungewear. ‘I had an incredible tailor there who made me the most heavenly pair of silk pyjamas to my design,’ she explains. ‘I literally lived in them; I would change into them after nights out partying with friends and I even walked the dog in them. They really filled a gap in my wardrobe, and when my friends started asking me for a pair, too, I thought perhaps I was on to something.’
In 2011, von Halle returned to London and launched the brand with a single style, the Lila Pyjama – which remains its bestselling style to this day – available in a host of unique prints that the designer describes as ‘thoughtful and sophisticated, but with a real sense of humour’. Since then, the collection has grown and is full of beautiful pieces created to redefine your downtime, from robes and kimonos to slinky slip dresses and the cashmere Missy tracksuit, with its fervent celebrity following.
It’s the elevation of these often forgotten styles that has become the brand’s raison d’être and, as von Halle explains, she always advocates wearing them outside the home: ‘I love wearing the silk and velvet pyjamas as evening wear. I’ll pair them with velvet Osman platforms and huge clip-on jewelled earrings. For the day, I team the pyjamas with a backless velvet slipper (I have a pair from Gucci that I love) and an oversized cashmere sweater, or I’ll simply wear one of the tops with jeans.’
MY STYLE
I basically only wear The Vampire’s Wife, Rejina Pyo, Lululemon and, of course, OVH. I love Amina Muaddi shoes; they’re so fun.
MY FAVOURITE BEAUTY BRANDS
Skinesis by Sarah Chapman has completely changed my skin. NARS tinted moisturiser, foundations and velvet matte lip pencils are also my go-tos. I love By Terry powders.
MY WISH LIST
The Gia Shanghai cashmere tracksuit. It’s perfect for when you want to be comfy but look pulled together. I’ll be wearing mine on repeat for the morning school run.
MY FESTIVE TRADITIONS
I have a four-year-old and a one-year-old, so our Christmas plans revolve around them, with me trying to recreate special moments from my childhood; putting out carrots for the reindeer and reading The Night Before Christmas at bedtime.
MY CHRISTMAS
We usually host a Christmas Eve party, and on Christmas Day, we go for a walk on Hampstead Heath. My husband will cook a big supper for 5pm.