In partnership with Pandora.
Olivia Thornton is a creative mind. A model, an earthy dreamer and a dedicated collector.
She has a charming penchant for plants and a particular love for the monstera deliciosa. Her home is filled with mid-century furniture pieces and she still cherishes the button up she was wearing when she was first scouted. Olivia's collections are all about treasured moments and pieces with meaning - it's why she loves Pandora's Moments Charms. Pieces made to signify your memorable firsts, collectable to mark moments you'll cherish forever.
We connected with Olivia in her favourite spot, her terrace garden as she modelled the latest Moments Charms from Pandora. We asked about her most treasured item, favourite summer soundtrack and her verified plant-mum opinion on the best plant to keep indoors.
My name is...
Olivia Thornton
Where did you grow up?
Murwillumbah, Northern NSW
What are some of your favourite things to collect?
Plants! Aside from that, I love to pick flowers or dry interesting foliage to keep around the house in little glass vessels (another thing I love to collect!)
What are your favourite plants you have collected over the years? Which work best for indoors?
My number 1 favourite plant is a monstera deliciosa that my boyfriend bought for me a few years ago. He’s super lanky and wiggly, and if plants can have personality, he has oodles of it. I also love the Philodendron in the large wooden pot, the red leaves are beautiful. As for which plants are suitable for indoors, it all depends on how much light there is in your home. A few popular indoor plants that are fairly easy to maintain include the Zanzibar Gem, Devil’s Ivy, and several Monstera varieties. Fiddle-leaf figs also make a great indoor plant but are notoriously fussy!
How have you kept yourself motivated and inspired during 2020?
Luckily, I’ve had my third year of uni to keep me occupied during the bizarre rollercoaster that is 2020, so it’s meant staying home hasn’t felt entirely fruitless and/or stifling. I’ve been able to lean into the idea of taking this time to learn all the things I may not have time for ordinarily as well. Plus, I’m an introvert so I am often recharged and inspired by a lot of alone time!
What is your most treasured and sentimental item that you own?
I have silly attachment to a few arbitrary objects, including the button-up shirt I was scouted by a model agent in when I was 16, or the ‘bad girl’ guitar strap my dad bought me when I was 16. I’m also very fond of a couple of pieces of furniture I have, most notably my mid-century sideboard with glass shelves, I resist the urge to give it a little kiss on a daily basis.
What does the perfect summer soundtrack include for you?
Old school hip-hop, plenty of disco and the Beach Boys.
When do you feel most connected to those you love?
One on one time is really special to me, especially in the age of being constantly distracted by external input-whether it’s work, social media, or whatever- it’s super healing to sit with a close pal or loved one and be totally present in sharing each other’s company.
Outside of modelling, what are you currently working on?
I’m fervently practicing painting and drawing from life at the moment, which is both challenging and exhilarating. I’m also diving into the world of front-end web development which I think is going to be a life-long learning curve. Other than that, I’m playing around slapping the bass and tinkering with some electronic music and dj-ing. Just having a good time!
Which charity has your attention right now?
Change The Record, which aims to reduce indigenous incarceration and family violence.
How do you stay healthy? (Mentally and physically):
Prioritising downtime is the most important lesson I’ve learned when it comes to self-care.
Who do you look up to most, and why?
My parents, because being a human is hard enough, and raising good humans is even harder.
What is the last book you read?
Eloquent JavaScript: A Modern Introduction to Programming by Marijn Haverbeke (lol).
