ABOUT
A LABOUR OF LOVE
Olivia Torma Couture is an eponymous label founded by the designer, maker and creator Olivia Torma in 2021. Olivia has been working hard to establish herself as a respected emerging artist recognised for designing and making beautiful handmade vintage inspired couture apparel using the finest fabrics, trims and embellishments and traditional couture sewing and embroidery techniques. With qualifications in fashion design, production and tailoring and trained in the haute couture embroidery techniques of crochet de Luneville and pointe de Beauvais, Olivia has the skills, talent and passion to recreate vintage fashion for the modern day woman!
Olivia Torma
“I take pride in designing and making beautiful handmade couture apparel using the finest materials and artisan craftsmanship. I design and make limited collections of ready-to-wear couture designs and offer bespoke couture services for discerning clientele.”
Olivia considers herself to be a niche designer and textile artist, creating unique one-of-a-kind pieces invested with much love, pride, patience and attention to detail. Many hours are invested in making couture that is exclusive not only in design and construction but in the craftsmanship and sentimental value each piece beholds.
For Olivia, parting with any of her handmade couture pieces is symbolic of handing over a special gift to her customers who will become the custodians of her work. Olivia hopes that through this exchange her customers will appreciate and value the investment they have made in owning one of her handmade couture creations, each one deserving to be treasured, worn and handed down for many years to come.
“I love the art and discipline of sewing and hand embroidery and the tactile pleasures they bring. My work is inspired by my love for couture sewing, haute couture embroidery, and fashion and costume design from the 18th century through to the 1960’s. Each piece I create is made using time honoured couture sewing techniques that I have researched, thoughtfully planned and meticulously executed to build my reputation as a respected emerging couture practitioner. I pay meticulous attention to the details demanded of my craft and the bespoke needs of my customers who are looking for something special and unique.
I hope you love what I do.”
Olivia x
“Clothes should be an authentic expression of who we are, our inherent beauty and our aspirations for ourselves and the world.”
MY PHILOSOPHY
I believe in creating beautiful handmade couture with conscience to tell a story – a story about the maker and its intended wearer and the time and place of its creation. Clothes should be an authentic expression of who we are, our inherent beauty and our aspirations for ourselves and the world. Museums around the world are filled with curated objects from historical periods. All are carefully selected, stored and exhibited with reverence for their value and meaning. Why can’t our living wardrobes be revered the same way?
Remember that saying “a stitch in time saves nine”? It’s so poignant now in the 21st century. The world and the fashion system is in crisis. The retail landscape is over saturated with mass produced poorly made clothes that waste precious resources and end up in landfill. The world doesn’t need more ‘throw-away’ bargains. We need more of the things that bring us pleasure and joy. Clothes that will endure with memories for many seasons and many more reasons. We need to lift the veil on our (mis)understanding of fashion and return to the legacy left before us when clothing and hand crafted goods held sentimental value. When they were worthy of their investment and care. We need to come to know exceptionally well made clothing when we see it, clothing that doesn‘t carry a guilty conscience.
“As a maker I feel I have a responsibility to create couture with conscience, fulfilling a purpose on this earth with the talents I behold. I’m a designer who appreciates the process of traditional and authentic craftsmanship, original bespoke design, hand stitched finishes and a meticulous attention to detail. Every stitch I make is made with loving intention. My inspiration of choice is vintage fashion and costume designs of bygone eras. I also love the slow art of couture sewing and haute couture embroidery. My greatest pleasure is immersing myself in the design and hand making process to create something that is truly unique.”
