Olana was born from founder Jodie-Leigh’s affinity with timeless fashion, love for all things French and a romantic, nostalgic heart. Launched during lockdown on a made-to-order model, Olana has grown organically, without any outside funding, into the townhouse studio and bridal boutique we call home today.
Our pieces are inspired by vintage designs in premium fabrics creating elevated, yet wearable pieces. Olana aims to inspire others to carefully consider & curate the story they would like their clothes to tell. Pieces which implore you to live out your most beautiful, memorable days, the ones where time stands still and that you revisit in more mundane times.
Our Vision
A lover of past muses, romantic notion and nostalgic travel. We collect moments and ideas from a time and world that we want to be part of. We are captivated by the free-spirited woman with an inner confidence and appreciation for the simple things in life. The kind of woman who values her raw femininity and seeks out simple pleasures in every moment she can. Our aim is to create something that can represent and transport women to their chosen moment in time. To empower women to feel confident and effortlessly embrace their femininity.
Our Style
Olana was born out of a desire to create a capsule wardrobe of simplicity, charm and timelessness and offers a fresh, contemporary take on classic, nostalgic garments. Understated and effortless, each Olana piece evokes a sense of ease and wonder and bestows a subtle chicness that whispers ‘I just threw this on’. Fusing together sophistication and sensuality, Olana offers a unique style that is simultaneously refined and casual, elegant and cool. Olana represents a firmly feminine lifestyle where women can imagine living out their most beautiful, memorable days.
Our Conscience
Determined not to be part of the fast fashion carousel, we aim to create key, trusted, classic pieces with great cut and lasting style. Olana positions itself as part of a conscious, soulful, slow-fashion movement. We are incredibly passionate about our fabrics and work with some of the oldest and most prestigious fabric houses in the UK - many of them are still small family run businesses. From design to production, everything is lovingly considered and skilfully crafted to bring you garments of beauty, substance and quality. Each garment is designed with the intention of holding a place in your wardrobe (and your hearts) for always.
A brand for women made by women.
Our studio is located directly above our boutique and is home to 8 sewing machines, 2 cutting tables, all of our Olana patterns and fabrics and our highly-skilled dressmakers.
Each garment is pieced together by hand using traditional sewing methods, a skilled eye and a very steady hand. The dressmaking journey concludes by hand pressing, folding and wrapping each Olana order and hand delivering it to the post office where it is signed off on it's voyage to it's lovely new owner. From design to production, everything is lovingly considered.
Meet the women behind it all:
Jodie-Leigh
Jodie-Leigh's always been a big dreamer making an 18th-century ballgown for her GCSE Textiles when everyone else made knickers. Today her big dreams built Olana and is behind every idea, design and photo shoot. She shares how Olana launched in lockdown, just two weeks before her second daughter arrived.
Founded Olana: 2019
In the Studio: Espressos, Samples & Socks
Out the Studio: Family, Friends, Good Food & Jazz
Emma
Emma's been sewing since she was 8, cutting up her own clothes to dress her Polly Pockets. Today she's behind every Olana pattern, sample and bridal piece, tape measure round her neck, coffee close by. She also shares which dress she's already earmarked for her own wedding day.
Joined Olana: 2021
Sewing Since: 8yrs old
In the Studio: Tape Measure, Music & Coffee
Out the Studio: Travel, Gigs & Running
Effat
Effat traded midwifery for dressmaking, taking her first sewing classes once her son started nursery. When she moved from Iran to Yorkshire she watched the Olana studio from her window before she finally joined the Olana team. She'll also tell you some wise words from her mum and which dress she thinks every woman should have in her wardrobe.
Joined Olana: 2024
Sewing Since: 33 yrs old
In the Studio: Podcasts, Colour & Focus
Out the Studio: Family, Travel & Gardening
Hattie
Hattie first learnt how to sew from her mum, making bunting and tiny pyjamas for her teddies. A degree in Fashion Atelier and Tailoring later, she’s now sewing Olana’s dresses and keeping the studio running smoothly. Read about the family connection that makes her think fate brought her to Olana.
Joined Olana: 2025
Sewing Since: 8yrs old
In the Studio: Sewing Machine, Coffee & Blueberries
Out the Studio: Projects, Books & New Places
Our Drink of Choice
We joke that Olana is fuelled on caffeine and we all have our drink of choice that perfectly sums us.
Emma
Maple Peacan, topped with hot water and a bit of honey.
Warming, essential and perfectly sweet.
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Jodie-Leigh
Chiaro double espresso, black topped with a little hot water.
Grounded, lively and beautifully natural.
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Effat
Tea, no milk or sugar
Calm, hearty and good for the soul.
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Hattie
Peru Organic with milk and honey.
Wholesome, authentic and warm-spirited.
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