She’s got some major events in her past — winning Miss Universe, dating Nick Jonas — but at 23, it feels like Olivia Culpo is on the point of becoming known for being herself, thanks to her love of fashion and success on social media.
The fashion plate — who has over a million followers on Instagram and which she manages personally — is in Dubai on Saturday, November 14, for a beauty seminar with make-up artist Patrick Ta at The Palace hotel, during which she’ll serve as his model.
“There are so many things I would like to do,” a Mugler-clad Culpo said in an interview on Thursday. “What wouldn’t I like to do, is probably the better question. Fashion to acting to beauty — there isn’t anything that I would be afraid to try and there really isn’t anything I haven’t tried yet, either. It’s seeing what doors continue to open.”
But her main focus is clearly style, and she has a wish to not only design her own range, but also taking UAE-based designers over to the US. After arriving on Wednesday, she saw some pieces by Orkalia. “It’s one of the things I’m excited to be here for, to check out designers. I would love to collaborate with them too. That’s one of the things I am keeping an eye out for.
“I would love to do a capsule collection with someone from Dubai. I think there so many amazing talented people here but they haven’t quite yet crossed over to America, to Europe and to be able to help would be exciting. It’s only a matter of time before one of them blows up.”
The biggest Culpo story of the day — reported across US style media — was her new bob haircut, quite a change from her flowing beauty-queen hair. “I just wanted a change. I had been going shorter and shorter, so who knows what will be next, maybe I will go for an even shorter haircut. Before the bob the shortest you can do would be a pixie cut, so perhaps that will be my next.”
She’s lost the Miss Universe hair — but does she still feel like a beauty queen?
“I think that different seasons of life are normal for anybody, but would my bob have worked back then? I think not.”
To attend the Belle Femme Patrick Ta-Olivia Culpa beauty seminar, 11am-3.30pm, call 04-3953334.
QUICKFIRE STYLE WITH OLIVIA CULPO
What are you looking forward to wearing this autumn/winter?
The colour camel, whether it’s a jacket or shoes, I just love that really rich brown, caramel camel colour. It’s something you can wear somewhat in spring but I think fall is when it looks the best, with colours like maroon and navy and olive green.
Do you shop instore or online?
I’m more of an in-store person because I want to see the quality and think about it with other things, and you can’t get that online. Then I also like to pick things that can be worn next year and the year after and the year after.
Which designers are in your closet?
I love Saint Laurent. I really love Victoria Beckham, her stuff is classic with a modern twist and refined. I also like her personal style.
You’re followed by a million people on Instagram for style inspiration. Who do you follow?
Somebody that I like to follow is Chiara [Ferragni], the Blonde Salad. Not necessarily because I have the same style as her, but I do like to see which pieces she puts together. She’s always on the more funky side and she’s a big risk-taker so I like to see what she puts on. She’s also literally always posting. Another account that I love to follow is Net-a-Porter because they put together outfit inspiration ideas every day. They never stop.
