In a heartwarming double celebration, renowned society stylist Olivia Buckingham announced she is expecting her first child on Sunday, which also marked her 43rd birthday. The Hong Kong-born British socialite, whose prestigious client roster includes Princess Beatrice, Poppy Delevingne, and Carey Mulligan, revealed the joyous news to her followers on Instagram, expressing her excitement for the journey ahead as "just the two of us."
A Dream Birthday Gift
"The best birthday gift I could ever dream of! I feel so incredibly grateful that I get to start this next chapter of life with a baby on the way," Buckingham wrote in her post. She has not disclosed further details about the pregnancy, but her message resonated with optimism and gratitude. In the caption, she added, "It's never too late [to] live the life of your dreams," accompanied by hashtags #JustTheTwoOfUs and #AnotherYearAroundTheSun.
Fashionable Announcement
Buckingham made the announcement while wearing a flowing cream tulle dress from the brand Temily, where she serves as creative director. The gown, priced at £2,105, holds sentimental value as it is the same boho-esque design she styled for then-pregnant Poppy Delevingne at last year's Baftas, though Delevingne opted for a delicate pink shade. This choice highlighted Buckingham's deep connection to fashion and her clients.
Her followers flooded the comments with well-wishes, including a notable response from Princess Beatrice's husband, Edo Mapelli Mozzi, who shared love heart face emojis. Buckingham, who counts supermodel Kate Moss as a close friend, spent her early childhood in Hong Kong before relocating to the UK and attending Heathfield School in Ascot.
Transforming Royal Style
Beyond her personal news, Buckingham is credited with orchestrating Princess Beatrice's style makeover in 2023. Prior to this collaboration, Beatrice faced criticism for mismatched looks and garish fascinators, but under Buckingham's guidance, she adopted a more refined and sleek aesthetic. This transformation included embracing designers such as Vampire's Wife, Self Portrait, Monique Lhuillier, and Emilia Wickstead, particularly after Beatrice's marriage to Edo.
Collaborative Styling Philosophy
"I like to push my clients' boundaries but also stick to their authentic codes," Buckingham explained in a past interview. "I don't want it to be one-sided; what I enjoy is giving them creative freedom, then we meet in the middle and come up with a magical look." She described her styling relationship with Beatrice as one that evolved from friendship, emphasizing a collaborative process where they discuss events, styles, and even finer details like jewellery and shoes.
Buckingham has also helped Beatrice incorporate couture into her wardrobe, as seen at the 2023 Jordanian royal wedding, where the princess wore a floor-length Reem Acra gown. This shift marked a departure from Beatrice's previous penchant for unusual colours and quirky headpieces, which often had a theatrical flair, in favour of a more streamlined and empowering approach.
"I know that we both believe that if a woman can feel empowered and confident by clothes, then that's what they should be used for," Buckingham stated, underscoring her philosophy in fashion styling. In addition to her work with high-profile clients, she has served as a contributing magazine editor at Vogue and Tatler, further solidifying her influence in the fashion industry.
