interview
Name:
Olivia Palermo (@oliviiapalermo)
Pronouns:
she/her
Agency:
Next Paris
Age:
23
Height:
5’10.5″
Place of Origin:
Los Angeles, California
Ethnic Origin:
1/2 French, 1/2 Italian
Birthsign:
Gemini
Did you always want to be a model? Tell us about how you were discovered.
I always knew I wanted to work within the fashion industry as I studied merchandise product development for two years before modeling full-time. I was discovered on Instagram by someone who worked at my agency. They reached out to set up a meeting, and the rest was history.
Most memorable modeling experience so far?
It has to be when I opened the first show I’d ever done, Loewe. It was so exciting yet nerve-wracking, and the thrill was unlike anything else. I still haven’t fully processed that moment.
One song you have on repeat, and why?
In the City – Anika. It’s catchy and great for walking the streets of Paris.
What other passions do you have aside from modeling?
Horseback riding has been a passion of mine ever since I was a little girl. It’s something I’ve grown up with, and I always found connecting with nature through the horse to be very grounding.
What is something you’ve always wanted to do/try?
Acting, since one of my favorite parts of shooting is taking on different characters’ moods. My dad is an actor, and I have always found it fascinating to watch him transition into different characters. I enjoy playing with that myself.
What’s one thing people may be surprised to find out about you?
People might be surprised that when I’m older, I plan to live in the French countryside with all kinds of animals and hopefully some lavender fields, haha. I know it may seem farfetched, but it’s truly my ultimate goal. Growing up, we’d always visit my grandparents’ home in the French countryside, so I feel really connected to that lifestyle.
What change would you like to see in the world?
A change I would like to see in the world is less consumption. It’s really unfortunate that younger generations feel so much pressure to keep up with ever-changing trends and consequently feed into the fast fashion cycle. I think it’s up to influencers and brands to put an emphasis on quality not quantity.