We caught up with Olivia Arben, leading British model and British Heart Foundation ambassador. She has appeared on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar, Elle Magazine, L’Officiel and YOU magazine.
My car of choice
My car of choice would be an electric Mercedes G-Wagen, if they ever make one! We currently have a G-Wagen and I love everything about it, but I do like the idea of being more environmentally friendly. My sister has a BMW I3 (electric hybrid) which I drove the other day and it blew me away.
My favourite holiday destination
I love going to the South of France, I am lucky that my birthday date always falls in the middle of the Cannes Film Festival, which I’ve been attending for the past few years. I normally celebrate my birthday with a lovely long lunch at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc with my really close friends, and last year I also celebrated my proposal and engagement to my boyfriend there, which makes it an even more magical place for me.
My gadget I can’t live without
My iPhone! I think everyone feels the same way about their phone but the other gadget that has changed my life recently is the Dyson Airwrap – it is so easy to use and it has really sped up my getting ready routine – it gives an instant blow dry effect which lasts all day.
My go to fashion brand
Alexander Wang always and forever! I am obsessed with all of his clothes, they fit perfectly and I like that they are mostly black! I also love the Rockie Bags, I am trying to collect them in every colour because I just love the style so much.
My airline of choice
Definitely Emirates. I have travelled in every class with them and they are exceptional on all levels. They also have the best selection of in-flight entertainment for sure.
My favourite watch brand
Cartier is my favourite watch brand. My mum gifted me her rose gold Ballon Bleu watch with diamonds on the face. It is so special to me because I was always angling to borrow it when I was younger. I also feel like it doubles as a piece of jewellery as well as a watch.
My favourite restaurant
This is such a hard question because I love all types of food! In the world, definitely lunch at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Cannes and also Roxie in Paris, because the atmosphere is as good as the food. In London, however, my favourite restaurant is actually, honestly Shake Shack, the chicken burgers are sooo good!
My guilty pleasure
Cooking and trying out lots of my own recipes. Three years ago I stopped cooking with any salt altogether which I personally feel has benefited my health – of course when you eat out you can’t really avoid the salt and I don’t, some salt is OK now and then, but as a general rule, when I am at home, it is something I try to stick to. With the help of my publisher, I have been collating recipes over the past year, to put together a low sodium recipe book called, ‘The Model Menu,’ which follows my diet as a model and British Heart Foundation ambassador. I am thrilled to say it will be coming out in a hardback at the end of this year!
My favourite way to give back
In March 2019, I was honoured to be appointed as one of only five female official British Heart Foundation ambassadors, working alongside Pippa Middleton, The Duchess of York, Dr Hazel Wallace and Dame Esther Rantzen, to raise awareness of heart and coronary related diseases. It is a charity I am especially proud to be involved with, as my father passed away from a heart attack when I was 16 years old. Through my social media platforms and events I am able to reach a younger demographic and am currently the face of the British Heart Foundation’s charity shop campaign.
