OLIVIA ROSENBERG

@branch_olive
Olivia Rosenberg is a model with Industry Model Group, actor and designer based in LA.

@cameronmccool
Cameron McCool is a Los Angeles-based photographer whose work has appeared in the magazines Paper, Hero, Boycott and At Large. He has also shot campaigns for American Apparel, Cast of Vices, and Enfants Riches Déprimés. See more of his work at his website.

T-shirts can be all things to people, from a status symbol to a memory trigger. What do they represent to you?
A T-shirt represents comfort and ease. When you find the perfect tee, it’s hard not to put it on every day. It just feels right. There’s no fussing—changing five times before you leave the house—when you have your go-to tee. I hate those days when you can’t leave the house without putting half your clothes on, and on the floor. It also feels excusable to wear a good tee too often. Jeans, a perfect T-shirt, Chucks and a good hat are about the only clothing articles that fall into that category… I mean, you could probably get away with those staples being the only things you owned, and people would just perceive you as effortlessly ‘cool.’

Do you recall your first favorite T-shirt?
It was a three-quarter sleeve, batik-print shirt. I was about nine, living in Jersey at the time. My Mom brought it from a trip to LA. I wore it with everything and, in my mind, it made every outfit.

How would you describe your style?
Easy and vintage-inspired. Kind of tomboy. I like things that are oversized and comfortable to wear. It’s a rare occasion to catch me in something that shows much of my figure. A lot of girls these days dress in skin tight, super tiny and cropped getups, so I guess I dress in somewhat of a rebellion to that. It grosses me out, really. Save a little mystery for later on, c’mon. I also don’t wear many bright colors; although I do love a good pop of color, Jane Birkin being my absolute style icon. (Who doesn’t love the lady?)

What inspires you?
Not to sound cliché, but everything? If I had to try and pinpoint it… People who are fabulous for the pure purpose of personal expression and connection to others. Anything with integrity and depth. Nostalgia. Things that are beautiful without meaning to be—like the packaging of Mexican Coca-Cola.

What do you most like about your line of work?
Putting a use to all the inspiration I encounter. On a minute scale, it’s a feeling of satisfaction comparable to that of giving perfect change to a cashier. On a more general level: what do I love about clothing? I can be really shy, but if I’m in a great outfit, it’s like having done a toot of cocaine. You just feel good about yourself, and isn’t that what we all want? Not just for ourselves, but for everyone?

What’s next?
Keep on keepin’ on… Create more. Grow more as a person. Become more secure with myself. Times are weird, but also wonderful. So I guess trying to focus more on the weird that is wonderful.