Phoenix Fashion Week, the leading fashion industry event in the Southwest, returns Oct. 20 and Oct. 21 at Chateau Luxe. Meet participating designer Corey Weiss of Olivia Noire, an inclusive goth fashion brand that combines edgy elements of corporate goth, with flairs of inspiration from the Victorian era.
Follow at: @olivianoireclothing
Hometown: Phoenix
Your first fashion job: Olivia Noire is my first fashion job.
How would you describe your style? On Wednesdays we wear black. We pretty much wear black every other day of the week as well. Most would call us a goth fashion brand. I like to think of our ideal fashion client as a working woman’s Morticia Addams. Our style tends to lean toward Corporate Goth, with elements of Victorian and Mall Goth for good measure.
When did you know you had a passion for fashion? I have always loved fashion. Our favorite family show while my kids were growing up was “Project Runway” with Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum. I would always tinker and experiment with different designs and fabrics, like Grandpa Munster in his lab. Once my youngest child graduated from high school, I felt like it was time to get out of the basement and bring my designs to market.
Your biggest fashion accomplishment so far and why? For me, that biggest accomplishment was that first size-inclusive dress we made and sold. The client, overcome with joy, said, “This is the first time I was able to find a goth dress that feels like it was made just for me.” That memory has kept us moving forward.
The biggest obstacle you overcame? Time. I’m a late-comer to the game and already have a family, four cats and a mortgage. With all of these responsibilities, it can be difficult managing a brand, but with the support of my family, we are able to pull it off.
A designer who inspires you and why? I have always loved the edginess and novel approaches of Alexander McQueen and Dolce & Gabbana. Their fashion is elegant, yet edgy, novel, but familiar. I love the unique ways they can manipulate the fabric and produce such fantastic fashion.
Advice for someone pursuing a career in fashion as a designer? Before you draw any more designs or talk to any more people, spend some time organizing your brand. Come up with a schedule that you will stick to in order to give all areas of your brand the time needed for the whole brand to succeed. And then stick to that schedule.
What can fans expect to see from your collection in October? Fans can expect to see 10 new hauntingly beautiful looks from Olivia Noire that will frighten and amaze.
See this runway brand in person! Purchase tickets for Phoenix Fashion Week 2023 at eventbrite.com. Use promo code FABAZ for a $25 gift card.