Olivia has been freelancing in illustration since 2019. She has collaborated with diverse clients such as Andro & Eve, the Barnsley Civic, and Disco Wonderland. Through her illustration, Olivia celebrates and explores female empowerment, body positivity, self-love, the LGBTQ+ community, and mental health. Her work aims not only to initiate meaningful conversations but also to educate and raise awareness.
Adding to her list of achievements, Olivia recently won Sheffield Hallam Union’s competition for its LGBTQ+ mural. Her winning creation, ‘Pride is still a riot’, is set to adorn Sheffield Hallam University’s Owen Building, and is a testament to her commitment to promoting inclusivity and diversity.
Throughout Olivia’s placement year, she curated her first event for International Women’s Day. This event took place in March 2023 at the Hallam Pop-up shop and showcased 20 women-owned local businesses.
Olivia used her placement year to develop her new sustainable fashion business, Violet Venom. The inspiration for this venture was to seamlessly merge her illustration background with her love of fashion and passion for sustainability. Recognising the pressing issue of fast fashion and textile waste, Olivia up-cycles and customises pre-loved clothing, breathing new life into garments that might otherwise be discarded, thereby contributing to a more sustainable future. Her mission is to make sustainable fashion accessible and show the world that style can coexist with responsibility.
Ahead of its official collection drop, the brand made its debut on the international stage when local feminist musician, Delilah Don, wore a Violet Venom two-piece set on the cover of the Misfits 2.0 Spotify Playlist. Over the last few months, Olivia has been working on a collection of one-off customised pieces, building anticipation for the official launch of Violet Venom. The goal is not just to be a fashion label but to be a symbol of sustainability and a name synonymous with conscious living.
Olivia Tate is not just an illustrator; she is a creative powerhouse and an advocate for positive change, using her talents and businesses to make a lasting impact on the world of art, fashion, and sustainability.
