Founder Deborah Olivia Farmer has developed quite the reputation for sporting an eclectic combination of fashionable accessories. Bright and bold colors on her lips. Funky specs on her eyes. Out-there hats atop her head. They’ve sparked so many compliments and conversations over the years that they’ve now also sparked an enterprise:
Deborah Olivia —Lipstick, Lenses & Lids.
Farmer has made a career and living bringing focus and spotlight to others—corporate and nonprofit clients who work with Brown Farmer Media Group (BFMG), her full-service communications firm, to attract media interest to their products, services or missions. Before launching BFMG, Farmer raised the profile of NBC5-TV Chicago as director of station relations, and held other positions at TV stations, including WGN-TV.
With Deborah Olivia Beauty as her latest venture, she now brings eyes to everyday women, helping them to more fashionably stand out with an array of products that inspire more robust confidence. A hallmark of Lipstick, Lenses & Lids is a characteristic vibrancy in color and style. Farmer curates the products personally, ensuring the line is cohesive with complementary components but also easily a la carte. Mix and match or grab a one-off — just a lipstick, pair of lenses, or a lid — to go with pieces you already own and treasure.
Farmer’s West Indian & West African ties influenced the founding of Deborah Olivia Beauty: Lipstick, Lenses & Lids. “My dad’s family hails from Barbados, and we have lots of Bajan pride,” she said. “We love our culture, which is steeped in festive traditions that carry into the music, food, public celebrations and values. I also traced my roots to Ghana 15 years ago and learned of my relationship to the Akan people. Entering the arena of fashion, with lots of striking, bright colors and a variety of textures in the materials, is a way that I can pay homage to my family’s island and African roots.”
Although she is ever fashionable herself, Farmer isn’t a fashion snob. Her goal is to reach women living every lifestyle — moms, single ladies, CEOs, factory workers, Millennials and beyond. She has been so many of these women herself, from college student to corporate career climber, mom, employee, boss, entrepreneur and more.
“Great accessories and high style should be accessible to all,” Farmer said. “My aim is to offer products through Deborah Olivia Beauty that make this so with products embodying confidence and strength. We definitely treasure how the right accessory can make you feel ready to take on the world — as if you’ve donned your very own cape.”
At Deborah Olivia, we believe in making a bold statement, just like the city of Chicago! That's why we've created a collection of lipsticks that are inspired by the vibrant hues of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) train lines, Red Line Red, Blue Line Blue, Brown Line Brown, Green Line Green, Orange Line Orange, Purple Line Purple, Pink Line Pink, Yellow Line Yellow. Our founder is a proud Chi-town native and wanted to pay homage to her roots in the best way she knows how - with a lipstick collection that's as bold and unapologetic as the city itself. So pucker up and get ready to rock some seriously sassy lip color, Chicago-style!
Polished Pebbles, an Illinois Gold Star rated mentoring program, is a Chicago-based mentoring initiative that increases the communication skills and employ-ability of young women for the future workplace. Polished Pebbles helps girls ages 7-17 become effective communicators at home, school, and their future careers. The organization currently serves 500+ girls and young women per school year in Chicagoland, Indiana, Texas, and North Carolina. Since our inception in 2009, Polished Pebbles has worked with over 4,000 African-American and Latina girls and provided over 500 mentors to girls in more than 100 schools.
Let's Unpack It, founded in January 2020 by Mr. David Johnson, was born out of a clear need for a platform for young and not-so young people to have real, down-to-earth, actionable conversations about Mental Health and Wellness, in a judgment free zone, and in a way that breaks down the barriers of stigma, societal norms and gross misconceptions.
Their Mission? Play their part to beat the stigma surrounding Mental Health, and influence palpable change in the way ordinary young people in the Caribbean and across the globe talk about, think about and cope with Mental Health Challenges.
A women-led NGO dedicated to centering women in development solutions and empowering them with the tools to thrive in society. With a focus on environmental sustainability, women and girl empowerment, and gender inclusivity, we strive to make a positive impact on the world.
Their first initiative, the Pay for a Period (P4P) project, aims to tackle the issue of period poverty in Ghana by means of education, advocacy, and fundraising. We believe that by supporting girls and women, we can build a more inclusive and equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential."
Deborah Olivia Beauty aims to help wearers illustrate who they are and tell their own unique story through their fashion choices. The products are meant to empower people to step up, speak out, and feel confident in their own skin.
Our products are described as vibrant, bold, and invigorating, and are meant to help people step out the door feeling ready to take on the world.
Deborah Olivia Beauty is committed to delivering products with integrity and style, and to helping people fulfill their own promises through the persuasive power of fashion. The brand aims to meet any limits or poverty mindset with abundance and enlightenment.
