In Conversation with Olivia Wolstenholme

Interview: Jess Barker @jess.barks

Creative Director & Stylist: @wohiviacreates
Photography: @marina_shirokikh
Talent: @napastores @pretaporter_mmgGarments: @hermosa__brand

Olivia - known online as @wohiviacreates - is a creative director and stylist building bold, cinematic worlds through fashion, storytelling, and visual design. Her work moves beyond styling into full creative direction, blending mood, set, texture, and emotion into carefully crafted narratives. With an instinct for atmosphere and a fearless approach to collaboration, Olivia has carved out a space for herself in the industry, working with powerhouses like Dazed Magazine and PAP Magazine, designing custom looks for rising alt-pop artist Lozeak, and directing standout shoots such as her recent project with MissBashful. In this conversation, we dive into Olivia’s creative process, the energy behind her collaborations, and how she’s redefining what it means to style with intention and vision.

Your shoots often have a dreamy, stylised vibe. How would you describe that signature aesthetic, and what mood or narrative are you usually trying to evoke?

I would describe my artworks aesthetic as a combination of dreamlike surrealism and maximalism storytelling. I’m really drawn to bold concepts and colours, majority of the time I am inspired by general day to day life, small moments that capture my attention. I then like to transpire them through production and make a small moment into something bigger to express my own memories and moments in an artistic manner. There’s always an emotional undercurrent- whether it’s nostalgia, surrealism or a sense of wonder. I aim to create a mood that pulls the viewer in and makes them feel something deeper, like they’ve stepped into a fleeting moment from someone else’s dream.

Creative Director & Stylist: Olivia Ann Wolstenholme @wohiviacreates
Hair & Make-up: @nastya_shakur
Photographer: @alexdoroshina
Model: @chtotuttakoe

You have worked on some amazing collaborative projects for power houses like Dazed and PAP magazine. How does collaboration shape your vision? Can you share a moment when a creative partnership elevated a concept beyond what you dreamed?

Collaboration is at the heart of how I bring my ideas to life. Working with other artists - makeup artists, set designers, photographers, graphic designers etc. It always brings in fresh energy and unexpected perspectives. It pushes me to think beyond my own visual language and opens the door to ideas I wouldn’t have arrived at alone. One moment that really stands out was a shoot for Metal magazine, I was working with an airbrush artist. We collaborated on coming up with ideas

for the air brush outfits instead of physical clothing. She used different textured paint to create outfits that mimicked lace and latex. It was a team effort on set helping prep skin for the following air brush outfit etc as we only had limited time in the studio thay day amongst all the other tasks needed to be done on set. We all worked very closely to produce the amazing outcomes of this shoot for Metal & Miss Bashful. Also I have to mention the teams I worked with in Phuket, the talented russian ladies I worked with over there were absolutely incredible at their roles.

When designing the whole visual world and concepts for shoots, how do you balance the different elements? Do you start with the clothes and build around them, or do the sets and mood inspire your fashion choices?

I always start with a very detailed mood board deck, at the start of the deck I would expand an initial idea and then it flows from that point onwards. Once I have a deck of all elements, I then search for a perfect team that has the same style of work as what I am aspiring to produce. From the concept, I would in detail think about the moods/ colours that need to be present to make a shoot whole and make sense. With the styling aspect, it is so important to understand what I am scouting for in the model pool too as all of production and casting needs to make up a flowing shoot. All aspects are equally as important. I usually do concept, styling then set/ lighting/ HMUA plan, casting and then team scouting to build around the initial idea and let it grow. Concepts always are the core influence of the styling as it is so important to be able to get the idea through clothing and the models. 

Photography: @pennyhaskellphotography
Creative Direction & Styling: @wohiviacreates
Creative Assistant: @frilly_joel
Stylist Assistant: @katievogelll
Featured Brands: @madebyatelier @waldojams @art_of_vinny

URBAN SAINTS

Photography: Letitia Colling @letitiashoots

Creative Director: Ramiyah Kofi

Models: Tobias @shadowboyk Aise Sosa @aise.sosa Phoenix Jones @derasae Reggie Utolo @warmwarde Felix @sirdread_

You’ve been creative directing and styling, for years now, how have your tastes or approach evolved since you started? What’s a lesson you’d share with your younger creative self?

Over the years, my approach has become much more intentional. When I first began my creative platform, I was driven by instinct and pure personal visual excitement- throwing ideas together, experimenting constantly, and chasing aesthetics that were trending. But now, I focus more on why something feels right, not just how it looks. My taste has definitely refined, I'm more drawn to creating emotional depth rather than just visual impact, if the project/concept allows creative freedom. 

A big lesson I’d share with my younger creative self is to trust in consistency and that every small milestone builds to big achievements. I also would have advised her to start earlier and not have been as nervous to express my artistic side, creating has not only has been a whirlwind in career form but I have also met some of my closest friends through doing production.

How would you say living in Manchester at the start of your creative journey impacted your work?

Community is everything, especially in creative work. The people you surround yourself with can either nurture your growth or make you second-guess your instincts. For me, being around people who are honest, supportive, and equally passionate has been essential. They remind you of your worth when imposter syndrome creeps in, and they push you to take risks when you’re playing it safe. Manchester taught me these lessons I will carry with me forever and the creative community I entered there. Creativity doesn’t thrive in isolation. It’s in conversation, collaboration, and even quiet encouragement that ideas really begin to flourish. Having a circle that believes in your vision, even before it’s fully formed- gives you the confidence to keep going, especially when things feel uncertain. Over time, I’ve learned that your creative community doesn’t have to be big, but it does have to be real. The right energy around you can make all the difference.