Collector’s Gene Radio: Olive Atelier - Curating The Past & Collecting The Future
Hosted by Cameron Ross Steiner
Introduction
In the November 27, 2024 episode of Collector’s Gene Radio, host Cameron Ross Steiner welcomes the trio of founders from Olive Atelier—Laura, Kendall, and Ben—to discuss their remarkable journey in the world of vintage and curated design. Olive Atelier has swiftly risen to prominence by offering a unique blend of globally sourced vintage items and meticulously crafted reproductions, creating a vibrant community for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
The Birth of Olive Atelier
Passion for Unique Objects
Kendall opens the conversation by sharing the foundational motivation behind Olive Atelier. The trio's shared love for one-of-a-kind vintage furnishings and the challenges they faced in sourcing affordable, stylish pieces led them to establish Olive Atelier. Their mission extends beyond selling objects; it’s about building a community and sharing the rich stories behind each piece.
“It’s really about creating a community, creating an experience, creating a feeling, and being able to pass on not only objects that we have collected, but stories that we have collected.”
— Kendall [00:00]
Sourcing and Curation: Balancing Vintage and Reproductions
Global Sourcing and Storytelling
Olive Atelier collaborates with collectors worldwide, ensuring each piece comes with a compelling history. This approach not only enriches their product offerings but also deepens the emotional connection customers have with their purchases.
“We work with incredible collectors across the globe, and they share the history and the story of these objects with us. And we think it’s our duty to pass those stories onto our community, which is maybe the best part about what we do.”
— Kendall [00:00]
Maintaining the 'Old Soul' in Reproductions
The team meticulously crafts reproductions to preserve the vintage charm while ensuring they blend seamlessly with authentic antique pieces. This balance is achieved through ongoing collaboration with skilled craftsmen and a commitment to trial and error until the desired aesthetic is achieved.
“We do have our reproduction. And right now we’re excited because we’re diving into curating and designing our own lines. And that’s something that’s really important to us with new products, that they have the feeling of something that has been used, that has an old soul.”
— Laura [06:54]
Transparency with Customers
Olive Atelier prioritizes transparency by clearly labeling reproductions and vintage items, ensuring customers are well-informed about the origins and stories of each piece.
“As long as you’re transparent about that, which we are, all of our labels, all of our product pages online explain the origin story or the inspiration behind that piece.”
— Kendall [07:58]
Building a Collector Community
Creating Demand Through Storytelling
The founders emphasize the importance of storytelling in fostering a passionate collector community. By romanticizing the origins and histories of their pieces, Olive Atelier naturally cultivates excitement and demand among their clientele.
“The beauty of and uniqueness of the objects we were importing. And also, yes, the beautiful content and storytelling we were doing that was, you know, romanticizing and heroicizing these objects.”
— Kendall [15:23]
Psychology Behind the Drop Model
The scarcity-driven drop model creates a sense of urgency and exclusivity, tapping into inherent human curiosity and the desire to be part of something special.
“It is from that point of a natural authenticity that of course, drives the scarcity that then matches to people’s desire to engage and take part in something.”
— Ben [16:54]
Balancing Expansion with Curation
As Olive Atelier expands into new regions and product categories, they remain committed to their core values of quality and thoughtful design. This careful balance ensures that their curated feel remains intact even as their offerings grow.
“It's about listening to that gut. And it's. It’s the same with our product innovation. It’s, you know, there are gaps when you’re sourcing antiques and vintage.”
— Laura [18:23]
Collaborations and Influencer Impact
Strategic Partnerships
Olive Atelier’s collaboration with Forward, a brand under Revolve Group, exemplifies their ability to merge fashion with home decor seamlessly. This partnership not only expanded their product line but also reinforced their presence in the lifestyle market.
“We really wanted to meet at the intersection of fashion and home because we feel really passionate that the person that does love fashion and vintage fashion in particular, also has a respect for and an interest in dressing their home.”
— Kendall [24:49]
Influencer and Celebrity Endorsements
Organic support from influencers and celebrities has significantly amplified Olive Atelier's reach. High-profile mentions, such as Charles mentioning Aaron Paul’s patronage, highlight the brand’s appeal beyond typical collector circles.
“We’re still shocked to this day anytime someone wanders in. You know, we had Aaron Paul in the other day who, like, who would know that he’s a collector.”
— Kendall [22:52]
Insights into the Collector’s Mindset
Operational Challenges and Collector Focus
Balancing operational demands with the needs of collectors is a central theme. Ben shares how Olive Atelier treats each product as if it were destined for their own home, ensuring high standards and fostering trust within the community.
“We think about the products and the objects that we source as if they were going to enter our homes.”
— Ben [11:40]
Sustainability and Longevity
Olive Atelier emphasizes the importance of creating items that stand the test of time, avoiding trends that lead to disposability and instead focusing on pieces that appreciate in value and meaning.
“We never want to import or design something that we would foresee, you know, tiring or aging out and essentially, you know, finding a landfill.”
— Ben [14:43]
Future Endeavors and Collector's Vision
Expanding into Art and New Hunts
Looking ahead, Laura shares Olive Atelier’s plans to delve into the art world, seeking curator-quality pieces that complement their existing offerings. Current hunting expeditions in Italy, guided by master collectors, signal promising new additions.
“We are learning about a new region. We’re learning about new pottery. I actually found this, what I thought was an amazing collection of pottery. And I said, wow, like, tell me the story about these products. They’re so different.”
— Laura [37:28]
Collector's Dream Rundown
What’s Next in Collecting:
Olive Atelier is excited about exploring Italian pottery and expanding into art, aiming to curate pieces that align with their brand’s aesthetic and quality standards.
The Unobtainable Item:
The team aspires to incorporate high-caliber art pieces, carefully curated to maintain their brand's integrity and appeal.
If Money Was No Object:
Ben expresses a desire to collect vintage trucks and utility vehicles, reflecting his personal interests outside the core business.
“If I had my way, I would collect vintage trucks and utility vehicles.”
— Ben [40:31]
Ownership vs. The Hunt:
While the hunt is driven by business needs, Ben acknowledges the personal satisfaction derived from sourcing pieces with the intention of eventual ownership.
“It really is about what got us started was curating beautiful products that we love and that we would love to put in our homes.”
— Laura [18:40]
Inspiration and Influences:
Kendall highlights Axel Vivort as a significant inspiration, admiring his ability to blend diverse design styles seamlessly.
“Axel Vivort is an icon, honestly, and I don’t really have many more words than that.”
— Kendall [42:59]
The Collector’s Gene:
All three founders affirm that they were born with the collector’s gene, citing personal anecdotes from childhood to their current passions.
“I think I absolutely was born with the collector’s gene. Before it was home decor or furnishings.”
— Kendall [43:57]
“I definitely have the collector’s gene. But it’s a little tough for me because the things that I love and that I guess collect, I like to use and sometimes abuse.”
— Ben [43:57]
“I can jump in a resounding yes. I feel like I was born into a family of collectors.”
— Laura [43:57]
Conclusion
The founders of Olive Atelier embody the essence of the collector’s gene, passionately curating and sharing beautiful, meaningful objects with a global community. Their commitment to storytelling, quality, and community-building not only sets Olive Atelier apart in the vintage and antique market but also fosters a loyal and engaged collector base. As they continue to expand their horizons into art and new sourcing regions, Olive Atelier remains dedicated to preserving the past while shaping the future of collecting.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Kendall [00:00]: “It’s really about creating a community, creating an experience, creating a feeling, and being able to pass on not only objects that we have collected, but stories that we have collected.”
- Laura [06:54]: “We do have our reproduction. And right now we’re excited because we’re diving into curating and designing our own lines. And that’s something that’s really important to us with new products, that they have the feeling of something that has been used, that has an old soul.”
- Kendall [07:58]: “As long as you’re transparent about that, which we are, all of our labels, all of our product pages online explain the origin story or the inspiration behind that piece.”
- Kendall [15:23]: “We think that’s the most important thing in what we do.”
- Ben [16:54]: “It is from that point of a natural authenticity that of course, drives the scarcity that then matches to people’s desire to engage and take part in something.”
- Laura [18:23]: “It really is about listening to that gut.”
- Kendall [22:52]: “Aaron Paul... who would know that he’s a collector.”
- Ben [11:40]: “We think about the products and the objects that we source as if they were going to enter our homes.”
- Ben [14:43]: “We never want to import or design something that we would foresee, you know, tiring or aging out and essentially, you know, finding a landfill.”
- Ben [40:31]: “If I had my way, I would collect vintage trucks and utility vehicles.”
- Kendall [43:57]: “I think I absolutely was born with the collector’s gene. Before it was home decor or furnishings.”
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