The B Word: Ollie Olanipekun
B is for… Looking the Business. Feeling your Best self. So Bad it’s good. B is for Browsing and Buying the looks from your favourite Brands. Being Bold and Bringing the most to every Browns ensemble.
Introducing a fresh series of the “The B Word”, in which a new group of our most Brilliant friends show us what they’re wearing and how they wear it (ie. do try this at home.)
For today’s edition, Ollie Olanipekun - aka the co-founder of Flock Together and Futurimpose’s creative director - has curated a practical yet sleek ensemble from some well-known authorities in high-performance wear. Guaranteed to look as good in the city as the countryside, his Browns edit will encourage you to reconnect with nature more often.
As well as taking us along with him to Walthamstow Wetlands and London Fields for stylish adventures in London’s Great Outdoors, Ollie gives us more insight into his life and loves. From his penchant for birdwatching, to the origins of Flock Together…
Full Name: Ollie Olanipekun
Location: London
Occupation(s): Creative director
Handle: @ollie_ranger
Three Words To Describe Your Style: Classics with flare
Favourite Designer: Issey Miyake (for the philosophy)
What drew you to this selection of brands in particular?
Practicality and functionality - these outerwear pieces are perfect for my excursions from the city into nature.
Of the pieces you selected, which do you love most and why?
The jacket by Descente Allterrain is my favourite. Its detachable vest with a hidden valve to control the volume of down by adding or releasing air is crazy. That level of technology is so innovative.
Where will you be going in this ensemble?
Everywhere. The slimline shape of the jacket makes it perfect for moving around in the city, and then the detachable hood and vest means you’re set for heading into the Great Outdoors.
In what ways does your style reflect your personality?
I guess my style can sometimes be erratic and some would say my personality can be erratic too.
Where do your best outfit ideas come from?
Everything inspires me, from people to places, the weather and even the content I consume - be that films or music videos.
What is the most treasured item in your wardrobe?
Probably my pony hair Paraboots, they’re the perfect shoe that go with everything. You can dress them up or down and they always look great.
What’s a standout moment in your career so far?
I’ve been so fortunate to have many but the latest would be becoming a published author. Writing the Flock Together book with Nadeem entitled ‘Outsider, The Outdoors Is Yours’ is a serious career highlight.
We’ve been closely watching your journey with Flock Together. Please could you tell us more about it?
I’ve loved birdwatching for around 10 years now, it’s a space I’ve found so rewarding on a personal level. And through a serendipitous meeting with Nadeem, another person of colour who has a passion for birdwatching, we knew we had to set up a club to share the benefits we’ve received from birdwatching with our wider community. I’d had the idea for a while but wanted someone with more knowledge of nature to do it with.
The core offering is a monthly walk for people of colour - this really is a support group for our community who have oftentimes been made to feel like nature and the outdoors isn’t a space for them. Over the past two years we’ve done a great job of dismantling the stigma surrounding the outdoors and making it a more inclusive environment.
As we evolve the Flock offering we’re now excited to bring PoC creativity to the nature space, which will take the form of events, campaigns and lots more. These activities will be open to everyone because we feel by doing this we can inject much-needed energy into the conservation industry. People can stay updated with the many exciting projects by signing up to our mailing list.
It’s been amazing to see the growth of Flock Together, now with chapters globally. Where’s next? And is there anywhere you’d love to visit?
It’s been an incredible journey and we’re so pleased with our international chapters, particularly Tokyo. We’re in talks about expanding into the US as we’ve only done taster sessions up to now. We know the appetite is there, we just want to make sure we have our infrastructure in place before we go big.
When did you begin birdwatching initially?
It was 10 years ago whilst on a weekend outdoors for my older brother’s stag do. I saw an owl at the end of the weekend and my mind was literally blown. I’d never seen anything so otherworldly and magical.
How did this grow into a passion of yours?
The impact that first encounter had on me was so profound. I have quite an overactive brain so I struggle to switch off, but at that moment my brain went completely clear. So whenever I would struggle with my mental health, be that in work or personal, then I would go on these long walks and stress would just fall away.
I’m still unpacking this feeling as we share it with the world, but for me, there is nothing else that comes close to grounding me in the present and from there you have space for untold growth.
How do you feel when in nature?
Free.
When you’re not outdoors with Flock Together, where else can we find you?
Probably at my desk working my day job as creative director for my agency Futurimpose.
What’s next?
We’re working on a big immersive nature sound installation with an amazing musical institution which we hope to launch towards the end of the year.
There are also some very, very exciting things in the works for next year to build on our work we’ve already started with the Flock Together Academy, where we introduce the benefits of nature to young people between the ages of 8-15.
What are two things you can’t live without?
Nature and my family.
Where in the world holds a fun memory for you?
Gambia, New Orleans, Tokyo, and London and its many green spaces.
If you were a piece of clothing, what would you be?
A utility vest.
Tell us a secret?
I don’t like pigeons.
What’s the B word that best describes you?
Becoming.
Interview by Sophy Davis Russell
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