Meet Olivia Eslami Cajigas | Owner, OEC Consulting

We had the good fortune of connecting with Olivia Eslami Cajigas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Olivia, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I had always dreamed of creating a one stop shop to serve a brand or individual’s creative needs. Developing a strong visual language is what we do at OEC Consulting. Specifically, we serve as Creative Directors for a brand’s photoshoot and development. We source and hire a team of photographers, models, stylists, hair and makeup artists, and location to bring a brand’s vision to life. Furthermore, we provide on-set and in person styling as well as guide brands on their media plan and avenues of exposure. With a strong understanding of the editorial and commercial components of a brand we are able to help create and edit content for both commercial (e-commerce/storefront) and creative initiatives.

The fact that a brand or individual doesn’t have to leave our vast umbrella of services after developing their visual language was a goal of ours in creating OEC Consulting. Whether it’s an individual who is in need of personal styling for everyday life or event dressing, photoshoot organization & production, guided media plan, trend forecasting, or creative content, we have you covered every step of the way! We like to think of ourselves as your very own in house creative team~

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
OEC Consulting uses the hashtag #runninginheels to brand our projects. The hashtag was born with our roots in mind. We got our start working for Vogue online and The Houses of Escada and Valentino where there was always an expectation of delivering the highest level of service, all while looking put together & ready to go the distance. We pride ourselves in continuing to deliver that level of service for our clients today.

As referenced above, my first job was working for Vogue online (then Style.com). I was exposed to so many amazing creative talents: fashion directors, editors, photographers, stylists, models, makeup & hair artists, designers, the list goes on. Was it easy? No. Early mornings, late nights. But I stuck with it. It is my cornerstone for so many aspects of my business today. I also had the opportunity to work in the Public Relations and Celebrity Dressing departments of the Houses of Escada. It was there where I learned how the editorial and commercial markets work within the context of a designer’s vision. I also had the opportunity to work with many celebrities and dress them for various occasions.
Furthermore, I managed Public Relations initiatives for the House of Valentino, where I oversaw Public Relations initiatives for North American editors and organized press for over 5 collections/year. This gave me the chance to learn the visual language that the House established and communicated among all layers of design.

None of the above was easy, but I truly love telling a brand’s story. This industry is extremely demanding and you have to be tough. Whether starting out as an assistant or owning your own business, there will always be challenges. However, challenge is not always bad. Pushing through challenges and developing resilience is one of the most important things you can learn. So the more you fall earlier on in your career, the better. Try new things, take risks, learn from your mistakes and move on. The luxury I have now owning my own business is being in charge of the range of obstacles I choose to tackle. However, I have learned to expect the unexpected and always have a plan B for each component of a project. Those are usually the moments where true creativity blooms.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Anyone visiting me from out of town knows that one of our first stops will be the beach. I love the serenity of Key Biscayne. I would take the paddle board out and then enjoy the sun. Maybe a run on the beach followed by a quick drink at the lighthouse.

I would definitely take them to enjoy Wynwood Walls followed by some shopping in The Design District. Tacombi is a yummy Mexican restaurant. Before they left I would be sure to cook together or rather, have my husband (who is an amazing chef), cook for them. For a girls nite out, the sushi restaurant Hiden is a gem and I would love for them to experience that!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My love of fashion started at a very young age when my grandmother introduced me to Town & Country and Vogue magazines. I would spend hours studying and dissecting the images and campaigns within the pages in an attempt to understand everything about each shot and layout. I am forever grateful to her for introducing me into the world of fashion & design!

Website: www.oec-consulting.com

Instagram: @oec_consulting

Linkedin: Olivia Eslami-Cajigas

Facebook: @oec_consulting

Image Credits
Sheila Ringel Photography