FASHION EDITOR: OLGA YANUL
THIS ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE BI-ANNUAL PRINT ISSUE OF A BOOK OF (A BOOK OF: NOW, SEPTEMBER 2019)
WORDS BY IRVIN RIVERA
Fashion Editor Olga Yanul is not just a stylist. She is not a fan of just the term itself as “because it doesn’t show you all the spectrum of work you’re doing.” She is a visual artist, a fashion editor- someone who studies, observes, curates and provides input in the process of image-making. “It’s a little bit more of a complicated process and involves a little more knowledge than basically just shooting on a white background and not just about putting a red coat on a person and go.”says Yanul as we sat down with her for a quick interview in Los Angeles.
She is currently the fashion director at L’Officiel Ukraine. She also works as a fashion editor for various global Vogue titles. For Olga, fashion is a form of art so she makes sure that in every shoot that she does, she tries to create a unique art piece that is more than just a “cute fashion picture.”
In this exclusive interview, read through as Olga discusses the value of honesty in your work and as an artist and her love for travel and vintage.
PHOTOGRAPHER: IRVIN RIVERA, HAIR & MAKEUP: KEON CRUZ
Where do you get your inspirations from?
I get inspired from the Arts, for sure. Also travel. because as Diana Vreeland said, “Your eyes have to travel.” I think this is really true because when you travel, your mind is just opening up. No matter what you see, you know? It doesn’t have to be super fancy, super fashionable place. Everything that you experience in a new place, new country, new city, I think this is the most important.
Arts and movies- those are the most important for me. Moreover, people of course. I like to meet new people because they are all unique and interesting; inspiring in their own way.
What’s your most favorite film that really inspires you a lot?
I like everything from Bernardo Bertolucci, unfortunately he is not with us anymore. But he was like my favorite movie director when I was a teenager so probably as a girl, I really liked Stealing Beauty with Liv Tyler. It’s one of his beautiful movies. It’s beautiful, very interesting, very intellectual and very sensual. This movie I could just play all day around and it’s just so nice.
As a fashion editor, How do you stay on top of fashion?
I think you just about to be open, very curious, and not just follow fashion, but think a little broader and check what’s happening in the world.
Be always open to discover someone new like new talent or new artists or new model. Just keep an eye on the faces and the models and the new designers. I think that’s the best thing and probably my favorite part. Instagram helps..
What do you think makes an artists’ work relevant?
I think the artist has to be honest on what he or she is doing when creating art. And don’t really think too much about the trends or fashion. For instance, now everyone supposedly wants to do 90s raw photography, which is beautiful, but then everyone is doing the same pictures. So, I think you have to be honest with yourself to understand what you’re doing and figure out your signature style. That’s the only way it will be immortal in the end.
Who are you favorite designers right now and why?
I don’t really have like a favorite designer, to be honest. As an editor, I keep an eye on everyone and it’s just interesting to see where are they moving, what’s the inspiration behind their collection, and what ideas they’re working on. He’s not my only favorite but I really like the way Nicolas Ghesquière is building his collections and doing Louis Vuitton. Other than that, I really love vintage.
What do you usually look for when commissioning or working with new photographers or artists?
Honesty. I love creatives and photographers that have their own vision; that don’t just follow trends. They like to create their own thing. My favorite question to ask the photographer is ‘What’s your dream project? What’s your dream shoot?’ Because I really want them to go for it, you know? So I think that’s the most important.
And I really like that you’re mentioning honesty actually, because there’s a lot of beautiful photos. You can say “beautiful picture” but I don’t feel anything.
Yeah. That’s why, for instance, it’s not my favorite to work with actresses because you really have to bond or work with them for years to understand that it’s going to be great. Because if it’s the first or second time, most of them tend to be insecure or awkward. They’re not letting the creative energy go and you don’t really have this honest picture in the end. It’s like another, pretty but another Hollywood pretty picture. And you really want to make something more timeless. Everyone wants to have at least a couple timeless pictures.
You said you really love vintage, which, I also love, but if you could bring back a fashion trend what would it be?
Well I really love shoulder pads situations from the 80s so that’s why I keep on wearing them and that’s why I like all my men’s jackets and all of that. And that’s always just a look straight away, like big shoulder jacket or coat from the 80s, makes the look straight away.
If you’re a book, what book will you be and why?
I would like to know everything so I would be an encyclopedia.