“We really want to celebrate this idea that there’s beauty in all walks of life and that anyone can feel great in their skin and anyone can feel beautiful and authentically them,” Christian Siriano says of his new partnership with Olay. Together, the two iconic mainstays in American culture created a line of exclusive gifts inspired by Olay’s beloved Super Serum, including slides ($60), a robe ($70) and a Dropp Kit ($80), which is a dopp kit that doubles as a purse, duh. These limited-edition items make the perfect holiday gift for skin-care and fashion lovers alike. We talked to Siriano about the inspiration behind the collaboration and what his self-care routine consists of.
On being a skin-care convert…
“I need to do more [skin care]. When I started working with the Olay team I was like, ‘Oh, I’ve never really used a serum before.’ It’s so interesting because now I understand why people really do love their skin care and find the products that they love and become obsessed. Then it’s kind of like the challenge of ‘Does this really work? Oh my gosh, I’m going to use it more.’ So that’s my new thing. I’m going to see how my life changes and we’ll see how it goes. It’s kind of funny because I never really used a lot of products but now working with the Olay team for a little while I started using more things and it’s been really nice. It actually does make you feel good and it’s a nice part of the day.
I’ve always used the Olay sculpting cream ($37) and that’s obviously an OG product and just classic and great. But I don’t do a lot because of the time, I really just don’t take the time, which is hopefully the point of this project is that people take the time around the holidays and have a little self-care. They can get these amazing pieces as gifts too but hopefully they get it for themselves.”
On shopping and TV as self-care…
“My only form of self-care is either buying furniture, furniture shopping, art shopping or watching a show that I love because I never get to watch TV. So that’s my form of actually taking a break and relaxing. To be able to binge a show is literally a gift. It’s a gift. I hope somebody can give it to me more often.”
On the evolution of skin care…
“I think what’s so interesting is that when my generation was younger we did nothing and right now this generation, they do everything. I’m learning so much when I do fashion week or we’re working with a brand where I’m like ‘Wow there’s so many new innovations and interesting things that people really care about.’
I don’t remember growing up people ever caring this much about skin care. I worked in a hair salon my whole childhood and even then nobody really cared about their skin regimen. It’s so cool that it’s really changed. I’ve noticed even older women are caring more and there’s this idea of beauty and that aging doesn’t really matter, and I think that’s really cool to see.”
On what he needs more of…
“I need to go to the spa. I need to do it. I love getting massages because it feels amazing, but who has the time to sit there for an hour? I mean, I get antsy, which maybe means I need to calm myself.”
On where he gets design inspiration…
“Honestly, everywhere and anywhere. That’s kind of why this project was really nice because the Super Serum bottle packaging is already gorgeous. It’s iridescent and pink and purplish and kind of has this pearl quality—that was really helpful because I could make a whole collection just inspired by the bottle.
That’s usually how I work. I like to find one thing whether it’s an item or architecture or art or whatever it may be, then my imagination can really go anywhere, and that’s how I like to design. I pick one thing and really let my imagination kind of run with it.
Shapes and silhouettes—I think silhouettes are really everything, whether it’s a vase or a chair, it could be beautiful. That’s what’s kind of nice that it doesn’t really matter. I’m in Connecticut right now and it’s so funny because it’s like, ‘Oh classic Connecticut fall, the leaves are changing,’ but honestly, it actually is so beautiful that you really get inspired. I’m like ‘Well maybe I need to do more bronze-y things,’ that might have to be my next collection.”
