Sonia Olla, flamenco dancer and owner of the brand Taller de Artistas
When you think about the essence of Spain, your mind goes immediately to the South: the sound of the heels, the movement of the arms, the musical notes of the guitars, the smell of tapas and the most important thing: the strong and classy style.
Sonia Olla was born in Barcelona, but her southern roots are the most distinguished in her presence. She has worked with some of the most important figures of the flamenco industry in Spain such as Antonio Canales, Rafael Amargo or María Pagés.
After a while, she decided to go solo and move to New York City, where she has showcased some of her dances both alone and with her husband, one of the greatest flamenco singers in the Spanish panorama. They are quite an international family and have participated in shows all around Europe and the US.
For Sonia, the most important thing is to extol the brand ”Spain” and its culture all around the world, as well as making feelings grow on people’s heart when they see her shows.
“Taller de artistas” by Sonia Olla, a parallel project in which she is currently working. As we previously mentioned, Sonia has southern roots as her family is all from Granada. Her family has always sewed and create fabulous flamenco dresses for her, growing envy between her colleagues wherever she went. Now, after seeing the real potential for their collections, they have decided to develop the brand “Taller de Artistas”, something like “Artists attelier”, a brand made in Barcelona but with a clear southern vision.
“Hand-made art in movement”, is how Sonia Olla describes the project and all the creations that her family comes ups with, and of which she is the first and most important brand ambassador.
What is the philosophy of the brand?
All the designs show the Spanish spirit, the Andalucia soul. The designs get inspired by the old flamencos, but they try to combine that classical inspiration with a more modern cut. Most of the designs are actually directed by Sonia herself, as she says flamenco is her life, it’s what moves her since she was born.
Her celebrity crushes are Sarah Jessica Parker and Kate Moss, two of the most important fashion it-girls of the time, an influence you can feel looking at her own designs.
The evolution of the brand since it was born has been amazing. Adriana Lima for example, another great example within the flamenco panorama, has worn one of her designs!
The conviction and energy with what Sonia explains us the collection reminded us the concept of wearing an art-work everyday, which is the aim of Taller de Artistas: wear an urban and a trendy outfit, which makes you feel “passionate, energetic and elegant” at the same time. When you listen Sonia talking about both the brand and her work as a dance, you realize that her attitude in front of life is what has made her succeed and you will vibrate with Taller de Artistas designs as much as she does.
When talking about her career, she kept repeating that she has managed to fulfill the American dream, something she would have never imagined. The next step would be to bring that American dream also into the Taller de Artistas team by making a success of her next collection in the country.
Would you like to become part of that success?
Stay tuned with Beiñ as we will bring you their collection very soon through our shop online!