September Influencer: Olivia Wray

From fashion brand manager to model, Olivia Wray’s main aim— at least, when it comes to making a stylish impact—is to create more diverse representation in marketing and media. —Vita Daily

Hi Olivia! Tell us a bit about yourself to start.

I always stumble over this question. I wear a few hats. I work as a wholesale fashion brand manager at a women-led agency, which allows me space to connect brands with businesses. I am a curve/ plus-size model with Vancouver’s Stranger Agency where I am able to contribute to creating more diverse representation in marketing and media. I also do some micro-influencing as a content creator, where I have the opportunity to champion small businesses and again connect brands with people.

How do you use your platform to impact those who follow you?

I do my best to use social media as authentically as possible and as a means to express myself. In doing so, I hope to encourage others to do the same. I share whatever is resonating with me in hopes that it may land with someone who can connect with it, be that fashion, beauty, sharing about life and grief, being biracial, my journey with modelling, etc. I’ve always been a plus-size girl and growing up I didn’t see myself represented in media, which hindered my ability to believe I could be a model or work in the fashion industry, or to just even believe I was good enough and that my size would not dictate my capabilities. I needed to see that representation to be inspired and to believe the life I wanted was possible. I hope that in sharing glimpses of my unfolding journey anyone who’s ever felt left out or not good enough can feel like they can exist as they are, that they are good enough and that they can have the life they dream of. I hope my impact through social media just encourages others to love themselves and to chase their dreams.

What are your personal style and wellness mantras?

In fashion, if it feels good, wear it. Full stop. But also buy less but choose well. In wellness, be as kind to your self—mind, body and spirit—as you would be to someone you love.

What do you see as being some key fashion trends for fall and winter?

A lot of tailor-inspired silhouettes for FW23: wide-leg and tapered trousers, oversized blazers, fitted waistcoats and mixing those with sporty-chic styles like cargo pants and bomber jackets. I also think we will continue to see 1990s-inspired denim take lead, especially baggy wide-leg fits balanced with a classic white shirt or button-up with cool detail. Key pieces I’ll be investing in: an oversized bomber or letterman-style jacket and a pair of clean, square-toe black-leather boots. Pieces I will be rotating in the coming months will be my favourite wide-leg trousers and cargos by local brand Boheme Goods and a stunning black lace dress I found at local boutique Siista, which I plan to wear with a big blazer and sneakers or leather loafers.

Follow Olivia on Instagram.