INTERVIEW with Olga Blake-McKenzie || Designer for Ravishing Fashionistas 2025
SD: Hi Olga Blake-McKenzie, for my readers who don’t know you yet, can you please introduce yourself?
OB: My name is Olga Blake-McKenzie, and I’m a designer of wearable art, medieval and sustainable fashion. Each piece I create is a one-of-a-kind work that tells its own story—merging sculpture, movement, and emotion into something that can be worn but also experienced. My designs are more than garments; they’re expressions of individuality and imagination, crafted to provoke thought and evoke feelings.
SD: What advice do you have for aspiring fashion designers who are just starting their journey?
OB: My advice to new designers is to stay true to your creative voice. Trends come and go, but authenticity lasts. Don’t be afraid to experiment, make mistakes, and learn through the process—those moments are where your style is truly formed. Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you, and remember that your uniqueness is your greatest strength. Keep showing up, keep creating, and trust that your work will find its place.
SD: How do you approach sustainability and ethical practices in your designs and production processes?
OB: Sustainability and ethical practices are at the heart of my creative process. I approach each piece with intention, choosing materials that are responsibly sourced, upcycled, or reclaimed whenever possible. I believe in slow fashion—creating one-of-a-kind garments that are meant to last, not to follow fleeting trends.I’m continually learning from the skilled hands and traditions of those I work alongside, both in my creative work and in the quiet moments of my own exploration.”For me, fashion should not only express beauty, but also respect people and the planet.
SD: What is your favourite part of being a designer?
OB: My favorite part of being a designer is seeing an idea come to life—watching something that once existed only in my imagination transform into a living, wearable piece of art. But what truly fills my heart is when that creation is brought to the runway, accompanied by music, choreography, and a powerful story. In that moment, it’s more than fashion—it becomes a full sensory experience, a performance that speaks to the soul. That connection, that emotional impact, is what I live for as an artist.
SD: What challenges have you faced as an emerging fashion designer, and how have you overcome them?
OB: As an emerging designer, one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is being seen and heard in a crowded, fast-paced industry that often favors trends over individuality. Creating one-of-a-kind, artistic garments can sometimes feel at odds with the commercial side of fashion. But I’ve learned to embrace that difference as my strength. I’ve stayed committed to my vision, built my own platforms, and found a community that values authenticity and storytelling. Another challenge has been managing resources—working with limited budgets or access to materials—but that has actually fueled my creativity and pushed me to innovate with what I have. Each challenge has shaped me into a more resilient and intentional designer.
SD: Without giving too much details away, what should we expect from your collection for Ravishing Fashionistas 2025?
OB: Ollymacs’ upcoming collection is “Timelines in Thread”. It’s a journey through the fabric of history, memory, and imagination. Each piece is a unique narrative, inspired by eras both real and reimagined, woven together with storytelling, movement, and creativity. It’s an invitation to experience fashion not just as clothing, but as a living, breathing chronicle—where every stitch carries a story, and every piece is part of my soul. Please follow my journey and come and see the show. Keep smiling :)
See Olga Blake-McKenzie on the runway. Buy your tickets here.
Ravishing Fashionistas Website: https://ravishingfashionistas.com/
Ravishing Fashionistas Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ravishing_fashionistas/
Ravishing Fashionistas Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ravishingfashionistas
Ravishing Fashionistas Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnWLvRrzzdNLg2naY5rdJJg
Olga Blake-McKenzie’s Social Media Presence:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ollymac7591/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olga.blakemckenzie
Photo Credits:
First Photo: VinoRaa Photographer
Second Photo: AKP Photography