Olivia Lifungula Gombi is a Congo-born, Belgium-raised photographer and director living in London.

Her work has become synonymous with intimate portrayals of femininity and identity, as well as an ability to include her distinct voice and uniquely sensitive worldview in both her moving images and stills work.

Olivia’s flair to leave a lasting impression on her audience has made her a sought-after talent. Among her most notable projects, a Gucci collaboration where she worked on a series of 4 short captivating fashion films titled "To Me, You Are Beloved" (2021). These films celebrated the renowned Italian house’s Beloved line and emphasised the beauty of Black British family heritage.

Fluctuating between commercial and independent projects, Olivia has created visuals for the likes of Nike, NET-A-PORTER and Mulberry, as well as young up-and-coming designers such as Bethany Williams and Ahluwalia.

Along with receiving the support of The New York Times, iD magazine and British Vogue, Olivia was honoured with a nomination in the 2021 British Fashion Council’s New Wave: Creatives List and a Vogue Italia’s esteemed list of 20 female photographers to watch.

Her work was also part of the exhibition "The New Black Vanguard: Photography between Art and Fashion”, which has travelled to the Saatchi Gallery in London, the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) in San Francisco and Fotografiska in Stockholm.

In June 2023, Olivia’s film "Yemaya," an in-depth exploration of Afro-Caribbean spirituality, was officially selected for the Milan Fashion Film Festival—a testament to her artistic prowess.

Besides working on a personal project capturing the vibrant creative scene in her hometown of Kinshasa, Congo, Olivia is currently in pre-production for her first narrative short film, scheduled to begin shooting next year.

 

PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE

British Vogue
American Vogue
Harper’s Bazaar
The New York Times
ATMOS
Primary Paper
The Cut

CLIENTS INCLUDE

Gucci
Estée Lauder
NET-A-PORTER
Mulberry
Adidas
Hauser & Wirth
Nike
Ahluwalia
Dior Homme
SSENSE
Bethany Williams
UGG

EXHIBITIONS

The New Black Vanguard: Photography Between Art and Fashion:

  • Saatchi Gallery, London, UK. 28th October 2022 - 22nd January 2023

  • Les Rencontres d'Arles, Arles, France. 4th July 2021 - 26th September 2021

The Self Portrait

  • HOME by Ronan Mckenzie x Wepresent , London, Uk. 13thMay 2021 - 27th June 2021 

PRESS