Olivier Theyskens Designer Country: USA

Biography of Olivier Theyskens

Olivier Theyskens is a renowned fashion designer who is currently heading the House of Nina Ricci and dressing Hollywood stars. Despite being only thirty years old, Theyskens has already accomplished a great deal in his career. He has established his own fashion label, worked at the fashion house Rochas, and now holds the position of creative director at Nina Ricci.

Born in 1977, Theyskens had a passion for art and design from a young age. In 1997, he decided to quit his studies at the prestigious La Cambre School of Visual Arts in Brussels. Despite not having a diploma, Theyskens had a natural talent for design that could not be ignored. His unique creations made from old lace and silk scraps caught the attention of the fashion world.

In just a year, Theyskens gained recognition when Madonna was photographed wearing one of his designs from his spring collection. The press praised him as a promising artist, an aesthetician, a romantic, and a prince. However, Theyskens remained humble and relied on his own sense of beauty rather than the opinions of critics and journalists.

One of Theyskens' breakthrough collections was his ninth, released in anticipation of 2002. This collection featured models wearing shoes adorned with canary birds. For Theyskens, birds symbolize fragility, falling out of the nest, and even decadence. This symbolism resonated with the struggling House of Rochas, which offered him a chance to revive the brand. Unfortunately, despite his talent and support from critics, Theyskens was unable to bring Rochas back to life, and the brand ceased to exist in 2006.

Shortly after, Theyskens received an offer from the House of Nina Ricci. Despite the brand's declining popularity, it was still known for its name and profitable accessories sector. Theyskens' debut collection for Nina Ricci in the autumn-winter of 2007/2008 was released just before the anniversary of the iconic fragrance L'Air du Temps. This was his chance to soar and create in the esteemed fashion house.

Birds played a significant role once again in Theyskens' creations for Nina Ricci. In the first day of work, he found a bottle of L'Air du Temps with two kissing doves on his desk. This fragrance held a special spiritual connection for Theyskens as his mother loved it. The collection featured asymmetrical lines resembling the wings of doves in flight. The color palette consisted of various shades of gray, complemented by pops of yellow and green. The collection gained further recognition when Reese Witherspoon wore a lemon corset dress from the collection on the red carpet at the Oscars.

Theyskens' collection for Nina Ricci captured the essence of romance, combining grounded urban chic with ethereal ostrich feather chignons. The dresses were lightweight, made from silk, mohair, and knitwear. Comfortable tops and loose woolen suits were adorned with delicate twisted ribbons. The highlight of the show was the sculptural silhouette dresses, true masterpieces of tailoring. Feathers were also incorporated, with wings attached to one of the dresses. According to Theyskens, feathers are the lightest yet most challenging material to work with.

Theyskens' collection stood out for its color and mood, showcasing a classic and glamorous style that was "tres juste" - just right. Like Oscar Wilde, precision was imperative for Theyskens, but in the name of fashion artistry.