Olivier van Laer
Website: http://www.ovlmarketing.com
Instagram: @oliviervanlaer
Third generation from a Belgian tailoring family now living in London, Olivier has a career in Marketing and E-commerce and has worked across multiple fashion and beauty brands in London, Paris and Hong Kong. Two years ago he started OV'L Marketing after identifying the need for a full 360 Marketing and E-commerce consultancy specialised in the International Luxury Industry. At OV’L he has worked with exciting brands such as Cerruti 1881 , Tom Dixon, Les girls/ Les boys, Huntsman and The Thinking Traveller. He now combines this role with managing a new and exciting post-natal fashion start-up, sarkalondon, offering new moms style without compromise.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?: Being with my loved ones.
Which living person do you most admire?: Not necessarily one person, but I greatly admire all scientists trying to cure the world.
What is your greatest extravagance?: Art - I love searching through auction sites which has resulted in me running out of space in my home to hang any more works.
What is your current state of mind?: Excitement - Being able to fill my time with two jobs I love and working with so many incredible people across so many different industries.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?: Humbleness. In our current society this usually is unfounded.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?: Actually
Which talent would you most like to have?: A better ability to multitask
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?: I would like to be less stubborn - In that sense I am a true Scorpio
What do you consider your greatest achievement?: Wanting to always achieve more.
Where would you most like to live?: I love London and as Samuel Johnson so cleverly said: "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford." I do however have an insatiable desire to always discover new places, new cultures and meet new people.
What is your favorite occupation?: Anything to do with food and art. I love cooking and eating out, and I love visiting museums and galleries.
What do you most value in your friends?: Loyalty and trust.
Who are your favorite writers?: André Aciman, Donna Tartt and Andrew Sean Greer
Who are your heroes in real life?: My parents
What is it that you most dislike?: Intolerance
What is your greatest regret?: I try to fix mistakes before they turn into a regret and at the end of the day, you can always learn from your past mistakes.
What is your motto?: Nothing is what it seems to be (so always expect the unexpected)