Olympia Scarry
NAME: Olympia Scarry
AGE: 30
FROM: Geneva, Switzerland. However, she grew up in London, Venice, Paris, New York and The Alps.
OCCUPATION: Artist
SIGNATURE STYLE: Couture, monochrome, bare feet, barely there make-up, bright yellow for the evening, leather and lace for the day, off-the-shoulder cuts, collars and structured minimalism.
YOU MIGHT RECOGNISE HER FROM… the front row at Couture week. She was absolutely everywhere, including Christian Dior, working her fashion magic. Friends with influential people like Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis, Tatiana Santo Domingo, the Missoni’s, she’s never far away from a fashion party, whether it’s a Proenza Schouler store opening, or an Opening Ceremony anniversary.
WE LOVE HER BECAUSE… she went against the grain. Her grandfather was the renowned children’s author and illustrator Richard Scarry. Her father followed suit and continued the family business, creating beautiful stories for the young. However, Olympia Scarry, despite showing an interest in painting and illustrating, went to study Psychology, which changed her stance on art. She began to create huge, dark installations, for which she is fast becoming famous. A marble bust of herself yawning, a massive melting block made of saliva, soap and fat, intricate and personal graphs, a room full of feathers, or paintings made of bubble wrap. Her imagination never runs dry, and her work never repeats or tires out the subject of her inspiration.
WE CAN’T WAIT FOR… another solo exhibition. Since 2007 Scarry has been featured in over 17 group exhibitions, in Switzerland, New York, Milan, London and many other places, but has only had one show dedicated solely to her own work. With so many diverse works to share, and so many influential friends, it’s high time she had another one. Damien Hirst is someone who knows her talent, he helped her make a plastic bra for one of her first installations. We’re hoping he takes her under his wing again this year and gently nudges her towards the limelight she deserves.
INTERESTINGLY, her link with fashion isn’t just to do with her jet-set luxury lifestyle. When Derek Blasberg spoke with her for Interview Magazine back in 2009, he found out that her mother was once a famous ’70s model, and one of the faces of Gucci in her prime.