Who are Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen?
Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Fuller Olsen, also known as the Olsen twins, were born on June 13, 1986. They are American fashion designers and former actresses. The Olsen twins made their debut in the entertainment industry as infants when they portrayed the character Michelle Tanner on the television sitcom "Full House" (1987–1995). As they continued to grow, they expanded their presence in television, film, and media through their own production company, Dualstar. The twins quickly became iconic figures during their preteen years and achieved substantial wealth in the entertainment industry at a remarkably young age.
In the mid-2000s, the Olsens decided to shift their focus away from acting and ventured into the world of fashion design. In 2006, they established their luxury fashion label, The Row, headquartered in New York City. Their work in the fashion industry has earned them multiple accolades from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).
Five Reasons Why the Olsen Twins Are Connected to the Art World
It's common knowledge that the beloved twins have made significant waves in the fashion industry – (have you heard about their powerhouse brand, The Row?) – but were you aware of their involvement in the art world? That's right, whether it's dating artists or building their own art collections, Mary-Kate and Ashley boast some rather impressive artistic credentials.
Are you prepared to feel even more envious of the twins than you already are? Here are the compelling reasons why these "it-girls," actresses, and fashion moguls could easily be considered aficionados of the art world as well!
Social Media
Have you taken a peek at The Row's Instagram feed lately? I'm certain you'll quickly observe that it's brimming with art, perhaps even more so than clothing. While we've delved into a thorough analysis of the Olsen twins' art-centric feed in a separate article, it's safe to conclude that their shared account predominantly showcases art, leaving no room for doubt – THEY'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT ART. Considering that Mary-Kate and Ashley do not maintain individual Instagram profiles, the content of their shared account, which revolves around art, further emphasizes their deep appreciation for it.
Art Collections
Now, let's delve into the Olsens' personal art collection. The walls of their townhouse, which also serves as the flagship store for The Row in New York, are brimming with artworks. This impressive collection includes pieces by renowned artists such as Basquiat and Man Ray, and it's enough to make anyone envious. But what about the art gracing the interiors of the twins' own homes? While the exact details remain a mystery, we do know that Joel Chen is their trusted furniture dealer. In a serendipitous turn of events, Christie's New York featured a sale of his pieces in 2018, and Coveteur had the chance to provide a glimpse into his own lavish abode. To describe it as luxurious would be a vast understatement.
Furthermore, the twins' enduring fascination with art is evident. In a 2008 interview with ELLE magazine, Mary-Kate shared that her art collection holds a special place in her heart, deeming it her most prized possession. She expressed, "All I really need is my bed and my art around me." This cherished art collection is rumored to include works by iconic artists such as Andy Warhol, Thomas Ruff, and Nobuyoshi Araki.
Artist Boyfriends
Now, let's shift our focus to the romantic aspects of the twins' lives, shall we? It seems that Ashley Olsen, in particular, has a fondness for artistic individuals. In 2016, there were speculations about her dating George Condo, the artist who had created a fashion advertisement for The Row. Was their relationship primarily business-related or driven by personal connection? It remains a bit of a mystery. Nevertheless, it's a well-known fact that dating artists comes with its perks, and having them contribute to your advertising endeavors certainly ranks high among them.
In addition to her involvement with George Condo, Ashley also embarked on a romantic relationship with art dealer Richard Sachs in the same year. However, their romance was relatively short-lived, concluding after a mere five months of dating, as Ashley chose to prioritize her fashion empire. Business comes first, ladies! Following her connection with Sachs, Ashley then became involved with artist Louis Eisner in 2017. And, don't assume for a moment that Ashley was the only twin to venture into the world of dating artistic individuals. Mary-Kate also had her share of artist partners, including Max Snow, who is the nephew of Uma Thurman, and later, Nate Lowman. However, Mary-Kate didn't limit herself to dating artists; she eventually tied the knot with Olivier Sarkozy.
Art exhibition
In 2016, the dynamic duo found themselves at the center of a unique exhibition. While they didn't personally orchestrate it, you know you've truly made your mark when artists are dedicating their talent to depicting you. The exhibition titled "The Olsen Twins Hiding From The Paparazzi" was a tribute to the various images of Mary-Kate and Ashley attempting to evade the paparazzi's relentless cameras, often concealed behind oversized sunglasses as they sought refuge.
This intriguing exhibition was the brainchild of comedians Viviana Olen and Matt Harkins, who collaborated with artist Laura Collins to bring it to life. What's even more intriguing is how life seemed to echo the art they portrayed, as Collins shared a paparazzi photo from earlier that year, featuring one of the Olsen twins seemingly emulating one of the paintings.
Intership
Back in 2005, well before they launched The Row and while they were still students at New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study, the Olsen twins had the opportunity to gain real-world experience as interns. Naturally, they set their sights high. Mary-Kate secured an internship with the renowned superstar photographer Annie Leibovitz, who had photographed the twins on numerous occasions, including a 2017 feature in US Vogue centered around The Row.
Not Only Art
As the sisters have matured, their interest in fashion has become more pronounced. The New York Times even hailed Mary-Kate as a fashion icon, attributing this status to her pioneering "homeless" look, a style sometimes referred to by fashion experts as "ashcan" or "bohemian-bourgeois." This fashion aesthetic bears similarities to the boho-chic style popularized by figures like Kate Moss and Sienna Miller in Britain. It's characterized by oversized sunglasses, boots, loose sweaters, flowing skirts, and a penchant for mixing high-end and low-end fashion pieces. Notably, the twins served as the faces of the upscale fashion line Badgley Mischka in 2006.
In addition to their foray into high fashion, the Olsens had a clothing line for girls aged 4 to 14 available in Wal-Mart stores across North America. They also ventured into the beauty industry with "Mary-Kate and Ashley: Real fashion for real girls." Furthermore, in 2004, they garnered attention by pledging to provide full maternity leave benefits to the workers producing their clothing line in Bangladesh. This commitment to worker rights, organized by the National Labor Committee, earned them praise.
The Olsens expanded their fashion empire by launching their couture fashion label, The Row, named after London's Savile Row. They introduced Elizabeth & James in 2007, a contemporary collection inspired by their vintage discoveries and personal wardrobe pieces. Their contributions to fashion also included a women's clothing line for J.C. Penney called Olsenboye and a T-shirt line named "StyleMint." In 2008, the sisters authored the book "Influence," a compilation of interviews with prominent figures in the fashion industry. Notably, they ventured into the Norwegian fashion scene with the launch of a new fashion line in Oslo in August 2013.
Their achievements in the fashion world garnered recognition from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). They were named Womenswear Designers of the Year by CFDA for The Row in 2012 and received the same honor again in 2015. Additionally, the CFDA honored them as Accessories Designers of the Year in 2014 for their work with The Row.
Combining art and fashion
Photographed by Xavier Mas, The Row's London establishment exemplifies understated luxury, adorned with artworks by Isamu Noguchi, John Chamberlain, and James Turrell. For the casual passerby accustomed to enticing storefront displays filled with merchandise, The Row's newly opened London store at 15 Carlos Place, designed by Annabelle Selldorf (as captured here by Xavier Mas for AnOther), might easily go unnoticed. The discreet nature of this space, formerly an art gallery and, before that, a bank, is reflected in the minimalistic gold-lettered 'The Row' above the entrance. Tall windows only offer fleeting glimpses of the clothing racks within, and this seems to be entirely intentional.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, the brand's founders, have cultivated The Row's allure around this very discretion. They rarely grant interviews, present their collections to exclusive gatherings of press and buyers, and the garments themselves blend ascetic simplicity with hyper-luxurious materials. The result is a daily elegance that has garnered a dedicated following, many of whom work in the art world and, according to the sisters, are often entirely unaware of the Olsens' previous careers as highly successful child actors. As Dean Mayo Davies recently noted for AnOther, "The Row truly becomes a life uniform: something beautiful you don't have to think about, as your mind wanders elsewhere."
Similar to their locations in Los Angeles and New York, the objective is to evoke the cozy ambiance of a home – albeit, perhaps, not your own. Not many individuals can lay claim to a living room graced with enigmatic artworks, such as a trio of sculptures by Isamu Noguchi or the colossal crushed car masterpiece by John Chamberlain known as "Funn." It's also a rarity to find furniture pieces by design luminaries like Le Corbusier or Charlotte Perriand, along with a rug by Jean Lurçat, all within the confines of one's living space. And, of course, the sheer expanse of 5,700 square feet spread over two levels adds to this unique experience.
The Olsen twins are acutely aware of this reality. As Mary-Kate aptly put it upon the opening of their similarly opulent New York store in an interview with The New York Times, "This is more fantasy. This is a treat. This is creating your ultimate world."
Selena Mattei
