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Having started her career in HR with Microsoft in 1999, Orna Holland has amassed over 20 years’ experience scaling teams for some of the world’s biggest tech companies, including Google and Facebook, where, as Director of Staffing, she scaled Facebook EMEA from 35 to 2,000 people. Today, as Global Lead of Staffing for Stripe (the multi-billion dollar company set up by the Irish Collison brothers), Orna supports all engineering hiring globally.
“Working in the tech industry, you can really wear whatever you want,” begins Orna. “Plenty of people come to work in shirts and ties because that’s the vibe they’re into. It feels like a very open environment where people can be their authentic selves and simply wear whatever feels comfortable to them.” Orna herself is known for her fashion sense and statement style. “I would describe my style as fun and relaxed. I don’t take fashion too seriously and am definitely drawn towards a more edgy look.”
Having worked with some of the industry’s most impressive founders – from Larry Page and Sergey Brin at Google, Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook, and John and Patrick Collison at Stripe, it’s taught her a thing or two about working at a high level.
“For me, if you are dressed and ready to roll and you’ve got your hair and make-up done, then you’re feeling good – you’ve got a pep in your step. I wouldn’t say it would make you more productive, but I think it helps get you into the headspace before you even get into the office.”
As the owner of more than 50 pairs of shoes, including about 10 pairs of Louboutins, Orna loved the pair of Astrid Lace strass pumps she wore for our shoot. “They look very delicate, but actually they were really manageable to wear. You could walk around in them no problem as they’re not very high, although you’d be afraid to damage them, they’re so beautiful.
“It’s exciting to see them updating the classics in the new Louboutin collection. The branding is still Louboutin but it feels more current, very stylish, very edgy, very now.”
Orna wears Astrid Lace strappy pumps, €1,295 and a black Loubi54 leather crossbody bag, €1,850.
Pick up the brand new issue of IMAGE Winter, on shelves now, to see the full shoot where we asked three seriously stylish Irish women, killing it across worlds of fashion, interior design and business, to share how they dress for success. The new Christian Louboutin accessories and kids collection pop-up is now open in Brown Thomas Dublin. Book an appointment to explore and shop the new collection with the help of an expert shopper.
Photography: Anthony Woods. Shot on location with thanks to the team at The Stella, Rathmines and The Dunmore, Rathmines.