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Exclusive: Fashion Dynamo Olivia Anthony Talks ‘Behind Her Label’ Initiative, ’90s Nostalgia, Going Global & More!

Exclusive interview with NYC-based fashion designer Olivia Anthony who was selected to create an exclusive capsule collection for Foot Locker Women’s inaugural “Behind Her Label” initiative …

Olivia is her name

Olivia Anthony - Behind Her Label assets

Source: Foot Locker Women

We want to be like Olivia Anthony when we grow up–no, seriously.

Her energy, passion and talent as an emerging NYC fashion designer with a nostalgia-splashed palate are both enviable and empowering to women and dreamers who see themselves in her ever-growing movement.

Since fully launching her brand in 2017, the bubbly Alabama native and HBCU grad evolved into a fashion power player with a penchant for bright colors, unique textures and bold silhouettes that define her LIVSTREETWEAR line.

Olivia Anthony - Behind Her Label assets

Source: Foot Locker Women

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With growing industry buzz and a major SZA cosign, she was handpicked (along with two other amazing designers) by Foot Locker Women for its national ‘Behind Her Label’ platform which aims to empower the next generation of female designers through product development and inspirational storytelling.

For the platform’s inaugural year, the rising star created an exclusive capsule collection influenced by their love of basketball and streetwear culture with all sales going directly to her.

We caught up with the fashion dynamo to chat about the ‘Behind Her Label’ initiative (and everything else) in our vibey afternoon interview:

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‘Behind Her Label’ was launched to empower the next generation of female designers–how do you feel about being in the forefront of the initiative?

“It’s an honor–I’m just like, ‘OK, now that I have this moment let’s keep going.’ I just want to keep bringing my brand to the forefront and be worldwide. That’s my ultimate goal. So, I’m like, ‘OK, if God gave me this opportunity, let me use this as a stepping stone to go to the next one.

And, you know, I’m just learning–I learned so much in this season about being organized and not losing my personal self just trying to rush and get stuff done and meet deadlines.

Each step I learn something and I’m excited that people are learning more about my brand that haven’t heard about me before so it’s a stepping stone. I’m just ready to grow. It’s a learning experience.”

You mentioned being organized–how have you been able to be productive during this lockdown? Have you been more creative? How has it been for you?

“It’s been honestly amazing. It’s like a gift and a curse because I have a small team–it’s me, my manager, my assistant, and we’ve had a chance to slow down and take care of what I call the inside of the house.

You know, everybody’s seen the outside. It looks great. But, you know, it may be a mess in the corner that we might need to clean up so we got a chance to do all that.

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And then I had a chance to be on a panel with Billionaire Boys Club during the pandemic and Vogue shouted me out and Refinery29–I call God my publicist because he keeps me booked because everything just kept going.

I made Beyoncé’s site when they featured Black creatives so it’s been a blessing to stay busy even though the world has slowed down”

How did your HBCU experience at Alabama St. shape how you move in the industry?

“OMG! I found myself at Alabama State. I was a dance major and thought I was destined to be a dancer and then I was approached by these two creative guys on campus and there were like ‘we love your style–we want you to be a stylist for our elite model squad,’ basically.

And they let me do a segment in a fashion show and that’s how LIVSTREETWEAR was born… just being around a whole bunch of fashion people.

And then I started selling my t-shirts out the trunk of my car on campus and just hustling so then I started doing other shows at Clark Atlanta–it just turned into this thing that I never thought of at all”

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I notice that you love the 90s–

“Definitely!”

…and remind me of a little bit of SWV with a splash of Grace Jones–

“YES!”

It’s really dope. What are your biggest inspirations as a designer?

So, for me, I grew up in 1990 but my sister is 10 years older than me so she grew up in high school in the 90s.

So I learned about Freaknik and hairstyles, going to the games on Friday night and going to the mall and getting my nails done with her in the shop all day.

It just affected me so much to the point where I wanted to put it all in my designs. So my first collection was a love letter to our culture inspired by Freaknik and I just had everybody twerking outside; it was one of our collections that put us on the map–it was beautiful.

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I just love having that DNA and how free they were in the 90s. The colors were loud… everything was just unapologetically–ooh! I love it!”

The greatest decade ever

“EVER!”

When we talk about urban culture and urban gear, it’s mostly the fellas, mostly dominated by men. So, tell me about your journey as a woman in the industry.

“Honestly, to be 100% frank, I didn’t even realize that I was competing. I just wanted to design. I just wanted to do streetwear and I think it’s a struggle with anything you want to do that’s great in life. It doesn’t come easy so I was going through my own personal struggle– moving from Alabama to New York, sleeping on a couch, interning and struggling with that.

I didn’t even realize that it wasn’t that many women until somebody interviewed me a long time ago and asked me how does it feel to be a woman in a man’s industry. But it is tougher on women because it’s only a few in the room.

And I feel like, honestly, we’ve been dressing the men. We’ve been doing this! My mentor is April Walker, she’s the first female to do a streetwear line–she had 2pac, Biggie–we’ve been dressing people!

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It’s just now we’re finally getting the accolades–I’m just blessed that, right now, I’m coming up in a time where we’re getting praise for what we’ve been doing. It’s a blessing that I’m in the conversation now and that I can talk about the people who came before me and connect the dots”

What’s next for you after ‘Behind Her Story?’

“My ultimate goal is to be worldwide. I want everybody to get the chance to LIV. I love when celebrities wear my clothing but I just want everybody, everybody to have LIVSTREETWEAR in their closet and it becomes a part of a lifestyle.

I would love to take over like another house–like, seeing Virgil and Jeremy Scott take over Moschino and Louis Vuitton I’m like, ‘OK, let me take over a house. I can do it.’

My goals are insane. I don’t even know what’s going to happen but it’s out there. I want to go to London. I want to go to Tokyo. It’s the vibe. It’s the energy. I’m not a trend. I want to be long-lasting. Like when I die, I need people to still be rocking LIV.”

Shop Olivia’s exclusive capsule collection here and follow her super cool journey on Instagram here.

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Artist Spotlight

Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night” Reigns as the Ultimate Summer Soundtrack

HonkMagazine Dua

Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night” is a catchy new summer soundtrack. It evokes the sunshine, excitement of nightlife, and happiness that come with a true summer song. Co-written with the talented Mark Ronson, “Dance The Night” is a full-on experience that has quickly become the standout track of the season.

Not only is Dua Lipa a massive music star with multiple number-one hits, but this summer, she also made her acting debut as Mermaid Barbie in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie. It was only natural for her to be part of the film’s soundtrack, and she truly delivered. “Dance The Night” captures the fun and energy of her previous hits while turning it up with even more sparkle and good vibes, making it impossible not to dance along.

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“Dance The Night” was on the fast track to success. It quickly climbed to the top of the music charts, marking Dua’s fourth number-one song and adding to her growing legacy with hits like “New Rules,” “One Kiss,” and “Cold Heart.” This is about creating a lasting impact.

“Dance The Night” became the soundtrack for fun moments, whether at parties or dancing alone in your room. It’s the perfect song to play when you want to dress up, grab your friends, and dance the night away, just like Barbie does in the movie.

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No summer track is complete without a great music video, and “Dance The Night” doesn’t disappoint. Featuring eye-catching visuals, impressive dance moves, and even a surprise appearance from the director, Greta Gerwig, the video captures all the exciting energy of the song. It also shows Margot Robbie’s Barbie living her best life, reminding us that having fun and being confident is always in style.

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What makes “Dance The Night” the ultimate summer song? It’s upbeat and instantly lifts your mood, making you want to dance. Its lyrics invite you to enjoy the moment, and it succeeds on all fronts. Dua Lipa has a knack for creating both familiar and new songs. With its lively disco sound, beautiful strings, and catchy rhythm, “Dance The Night” pays tribute to the classic dance music of the past while still feeling modern. It’s vibrant, exhilarating, and simply irresistible.

In a summer filled with movies, exciting pop moments, and unforgettable times, “Dance The Night” shines as the perfect soundtrack. Whether you’re watching Barbie on the big screen or dancing under the stars, Dua Lipa has given us another fantastic song to which we’ll keep dancing even as summer ends.

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Celebrity

Future & Lil Baby Just Dropped the Hardest Collab of this year 2025

Future and Lil Baby

Hip-hop got a big shake-up with the long-awaited album from Future and Lil Baby dropping the hardest collab for WHAM. After weeks of speculation and teasers from both artists, Lil Baby hit Instagram to reveal the album’s official cover art and a star-studded 15-song tracklist. The announcement sent the rap world reeling, and fans have been chomping to see what will be one of the hardest collabs of the year.

Future and Lil Baby are no strangers to tackling the charts, but the energy they flex on WHAM is low-key special. With their otherworldly trap melodies and raw street tales, Future and Lil Baby are each experts in their field, the very way they come to Trump’s music that much more assured. Yet mixing this idiom with theirs produces an album both muscular and sonically forward, raising the bar for rap collaborations heading into 2024.

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This is not the two’s first time linking up. They previously worked together on songs like “Out the Mud” and “Live Off My Closet,” so the chemistry is undeniable. But WHAM takes their collaboration to new heights, further cementing their status as two of the most powerful forces in contemporary hip-hop.

With such a star-studded tracklist, “WHAM” is already shaping up to be one of the biggest rap albums of the year. Other high-profile guest appearances include Young Thug, GloRilla, Rylo, 21 Savage, and Future with Lil Baby. Every featured artist adds an extra piece to the puzzle, and their contributions add depth to the project.

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Young Thug’s addition brings an added level of anticipation, especially considering his current legal issues and his uncertain future in music. His verse on WHAM will surely be one of the album’s most discussed moments. GloRilla, on the other hand, is part of that new wave of female rappers storming the business. Her hard-nosed delivery and unrepentant lyricism will undoubtedly pop on the album.

21 Savage’s appearance is a bonus, too. He and Lil Baby share a strong chemistry after years of working together. The pair’s collaborations always come through and should be a street anthem in no time on “WHAM.” Rylo, a promising talent in the rap game, earns a well-deserved focus, confirming, once again, that Future and Lil Baby are in touch with the culture and willing to hold the door open for the next generation.

The “WHAM” album promises to be a formidable body of work beyond the star-studded lineup. It will feature production from some of the hottest producers in the game, including Metro Boomin, Southside, Wheezy, and Tay Keith. All of these producers have crafted chart-topping rap bangers in recent memory, and their presence on “WHAM” practically ensures a headphone-melting soundscape.

Metro Boomin, known for making iconic collaborations happen, probably lays down the dark, moody trap beats that make Future come to life. Lil Baby’s relentless flow is matched by Southside and Wheezy’s high-octane production, which adds a sense of urgency and emotion to the project. Fuji, known for heavy-knocking bangers, will also ensure that “WHAM” has no shortage of club-ready bangers.

Future and Lil Baby are solidifying their hold on the rap game with this song. Its ideal marriage of talents reminds us that they still make sense together and that even the best and the brightest can still combine to take us to new places and give us new ideas for realizing the future of mainstream pop. The album is expected to reach the pinnacle of the charts, and based on buzz in advance of its release, it wouldn’t raise eyebrows if it opened at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

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“WHAM” is equipped to do business regarding cultural impact and commercial success. Future and Lil Baby’s collaboration captures the essence of the new era of trap music, combining haunting melodies with street-focused lyrics that connect with veteran observers and fresh ears. The album also demonstrates their longevity and is a reminder that, despite ever-changing trends over the decades, these two artists continue leading the pack in the genre.

Fans have been going insane on social media, calling “WHAM” an instant classic since the announcement. Reactions, memes, and early reviews have surged on Twitter and Instagram, with some cheering for the chemistry between Future and Lil Baby. Others have even dubbed this project “new What a Time to Be Alive,” a nod to Future’s formative collab with Drake.

The buzz isn’t confined to the internet streaming figures already soaring. On platforms like Apple Music and Spotify, multiple “WHAM” songs have landed near the top of prominent playlists. Concerts and live performances showcasing songs from the album are eagerly anticipated, and it’s only a matter of time before these tracks become the soundtrack in clubs.

WHAM has officially served as one of the year’s projects from the Future and Lil Baby. This album has a starry tracklist, premier production, and undeniable chemistry. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering their sound, WHAM is a must-listen and a sign of the best that hip-hop has to offer in 2024. As the rap world continues to innovate, “WHAM” is a testament to Future and Lil Baby’s ability to stay ahead of the curve and redefine what a collaborative album should sound like. One thing’s for sure, but hip-hop has just acquired a new heavyweight contender for Album of the Year. Don’t sleep on this one!

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