Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Anthony.
Hi Olivia , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve never been someone who waited for permission to start. I discovered my love for fashion and creative direction while attending Alabama State University, from interning in Los Angeles to styling and directing shoots for Elite, our campus fashion and modeling organization. Soon after, I launched OliviaAnthony.com and started selling clothes out of the trunk of my car, taking my collection from campus to campus and building my brand one opportunity at a time.
My journey eventually took me to New York, where I created My Love Letter to Our Culture, the collection that became the foundation of LIVSTREETWEAR. What started as an idea grew through community and opened doors for collaborations and opportunities with Foot Locker, Complex, Adidas, and a CFDA-affiliated Black designer mentorship hub led by Bethann Hardison. Years later, pieces from my work have even been exhibited in a museum alongside designers like Tommy Hilfiger and Off-White.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Has it been a smooth road? Definitely not. I’ve faced challenges at every stage of this journey, but I believe that if you want to be great, there are going to be trials that prepare you for the next level. You can’t skip the struggle. What makes greatness great is having the faith to believe that your purpose is bigger than what’s in front of you.
I’ve struggled financially, I’ve had seasons where my dad helped support me, I’ve struggled creatively with figuring out the next concept or direction, and I’ve had times where I was sitting on inventory that wasn’t moving.
But one of my biggest struggles came after one of the greatest moments of my career my Foot Locker collection. I experienced such an incredible high, and when that partnership ended, the drop afterward was hard. I didn’t know what was next. Looking back, I should have allowed myself to take a break, but at the time, I didn’t understand that rest was also part of the journey. Instead, I kept pushing without the same creative energy or financial backing, and ultimately, I suffered because of it.
Now I understand that every season doesn’t require me to push harder. Sometimes I need to pause, learn, shift and rebuild. I don’t look at those moments as failures anymore. I look at them as lessons preparing me for longevity. I’m not trying to build something that lasts for a moment I’m building something that can last for generations.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m the owner and creative director behind House of Olivia Anthony LIVSTREETWEAR and TheRawEdit. LIVSTREETWEAR specializes in bold, colorful pieces designed to live in your closet for years, while TheRawEdit is all about statement denim the kind of jeans you can throw on with a simple tank top and still step out feeling good. Across both brands, we’re known for bold color, storytelling and creating pieces that have personality.
What I’m most proud of is the journey. The younger version of me was such a go-getter. She was fearless enough to create opportunities that led to working with Foot Locker, Adidas and Complex, and I’m proud that I still carry that same drive today, just with more wisdom behind it.
What sets me apart is my path. I truly believe God has already created the journey for me, and my job is to follow His instructions, trust the process and keep becoming the highest version of myself. I’m not trying to follow someone else’s blueprint I’m walking in the one that was created for me.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me, first and foremost, is God, my family and being able to truly live life doing what I believe God has called me to do. I want to build a company that not only allows me to live from my purpose, but also allows me to hire people, create opportunities and give others the ability to make a living doing meaningful work.
It also matters deeply to me to inspire little Black girls from the South and really anyone with a dream to see that where you come from doesn’t determine how far your vision can go. If God gives you the vision, with faith, work and perseverance, you can bring it to life. That’s what matters most to me: building something bigger than myself and showing other people what’s possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.livstreetwear.com
- Instagram: Livstreetwear
- Other: @theraweditshop
