Olivia Brescia: Independent NYC Designer with an Eye for Nature

By Natasha Lancaster

In the heart of Greenwich Village, one of the most urban areas in the world, Olivia Brescia is fostering an appreciation for the natural world through her textile designs.

Brescia, an independent textile designer and the founder of Brescia, has built a brand that combines her eye for aesthetics, background in professional design, and love for nature. At the center of her ethos is a deep passion for animals and nature. “I’ve always been drawn to animals,” she said. This fascination inspires her products, as each piece—whether it’s a bag, scarf, or cushion—includes complex patterns influenced by flora and fauna.

Brescia began working in design after graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in 2021 with an associate’s degree. Her first full-time job in the fashion industry was working at a swimwear company. With the encouragement of her boss at the time, Brescia launched her own brand. “I figured you’re never too young to just start,” she remarked.

Now, two years after establishing the brand, Brescia has created a signature look for her products: she combines classical-design elements with playful images of nature, creating archetypal yet fun pieces. The scarfs in her collection are also made with 100% silk from Italy, which she chose for the notable quality of the material.

In addition to designing the products and handling the production, Brescia manages all of the marketing for her brand. Reflecting on the DIY nature of starting a brand, she said, “I have to do the modeling or… my friends usually model for me. My boyfriend will sometimes take the photos.”

Brescia’s process is at once personal, old-school, streamlined, and digitized. She starts by painting her designs, using gouache, before scanning them on to her computer for production in Italy. She paints all of her designs in her bedroom. “I’m always in my bedroom/studio/storage space, just painting. I sit down, I have a movie on, I have my cat next to me, and I paint for hours.” She even used her own animals—her fish—-as inspiration for one of her iconic fish patterns.

Her products are also more than just enjoyable to look at; they carry a social mission. She collaborates with organizations that protect endangered species. Through each item she creates, she aims to raise funds to give back to the animals and wildlife that inform her work.

Brescia’s designs are currently available on her website, brescia.nyc, and she will be launching a collection with the iconic NYC store, Evolution, soon. You can also follow Brescia on instagram @brescianyc and use the code HOLIDAY20 to get a discount on gifts for the holiday season.

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NATASHA LANCASTER is a writer born and raised in Greenwich Village. She’s a graduate of Kenyon College with a B.A. in English and Drama (playwriting focus). When she’s not writing, she works as a nanny and at a restaurant.