I first came across your interview with World Microphone London (@worldmicrophoneldn) a few years ago, where I discovered that you owned an intimates brand. In that conversation, you mentioned identifying as Thai-British.

As someone who also runs an intimates label and shares the experience of being a young Asian immigrant, I felt an unexpected connection from afar. Since then, I’ve been following your journey - watching your business grow, and now seeing you step into motherhood feels both surreal and inspiring. Could you share more about your upbringing and how it has shaped the way you see yourself today?

I was born in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1996 and lived there until 1998, when my family and I moved to Hertfordshire, England. My dad is English, so I think it was always the plan to relocate back to the UK after his job in Thailand - which he had moved there for years earlier - came to an end. When I was younger, I spoke both Thai and English, but as I grew up, my Thai became very limited. It’s basically back to basics now, as my mum wanted to learn English and spoke it with us to improve her own.

I never really felt different or foreign, mostly because I could “pass” as looking English. I was also probably very lucky with the areas and schools I went to, where people were educated and kind. Looking back, though, I can now see small signs of “difference” that I didn’t understand at the time, being so young and naive. For example, I never even realised my mum had an accent until I was 13.

I wouldn’t say I identify more as Thai than English, but I definitely resonate more with Thai culture. The sense of family, community, and joy feels much stronger in Thai culture. I’m proud to be both, and proud of how my parents raised me to accept and love both sides of myself.

Have you always been drawn to modelling, or did it arrive in your life unexpectedly?

I had always been drawn to modelling since I was a teenager and those tumblr days haha! I didn't exactly know what modelling meant or anything about how the industry worked as I had no connections to anyone involved. I entered a competition with Sugar magazine (a teen girl magazine back in the day) and it all started from there. 

Lydia wears Sheer Cardigan in White

You ran your own intimates business, and now you’ve recently closed it. What inspired you to start it in the first place, what challenges did you face along the way, and what was your highlight or favorite part of running OhLydia Intimates?

What inspired me to start OhLydia Intimates was a longing to do more. I had been modeling since the age of 16 and went full-time at 18. Modeling is great in so many ways, but it also comes with a lot of loneliness and boredom. I had always dreamed of starting a brand, but I didn’t really know what that meant since I hadn’t studied fashion or even gone to university. So, I used my modeling savings to start OhLydia—and it was the best decision I ever made. It gave me a sense of direction, fulfillment, and happiness that I didn’t have before. It began as a project with no clear end goal, and my favorite part was seeing people wear my pieces, spotting them credited in editorials, and getting to art direct shoots.

It wasn’t easy, though. Not having a background in design limited me in many ways. But I was incredibly lucky to have an amazing seamstress, Marta Egervari, who really taught me the ropes. OhLydia wouldn’t have been what it was without her and her team.

Do you feel pregnancy has brought you closer to your body or made you see it differently?

I actually feel the opposite, it's made me feel so unfamiliar with my own body. Maybe because I've always had a good connection and relationship with my body. I was lucky to have trained in gymnastics for 8 years when I was young and overall quite athletic so I never really suffered from body issues. I guess now being exposed to a body that's so unlike my body that I'm used to has made me resilient. 

Pregnancy is often spoken about in glowing terms, but rarely do we hear about its two faces - the exhaustion, the boredom, alongside the beauty. What are some of the unspoken realities you’ve experienced, and what feels most challenging for you right now?

For me it's been the underlying sense of being told what to do by anyone and everyone.  Advice is great and I really appreciate and need it most of the time, but sometimes it's just nice to have a moan or a groan.  All the changes you'd think of with pregnancy, no drinking, no heavy lifting, no eating this or that, even trivial and silly things like not being able to use the massage function on the chair at the nail shop! What's challenging me right now is the impending birth and also a house move. 
















Lydia wears Pointelle Lounge Set in Cream

What does your morning routine look like these days? And what’s your go-to lazy breakfast?

Mornings I'm up around 5/6 to pee from my baby crushing my bladder! I try to go back to sleep but if i cant I'll eat some cereal whilst watching sex and the city or love island. I always have to wet my hair down as I wake up looking like a porcupine. I also use Kiwa Studio's revitalizing facial oil morning and evening whilst I gua sha my face and neck.  

Are there any films you’ve been enjoying at home during your pregnancy that you would recommend?

I dont have the attention span for films at the moment but I'm watching Sex and the City for the first time. Random favourite series are The Walking Dead, Blue- Eyed Samurai and Desperate Housewives. 

Playlist by Lydia Sivimon Rowley

Lydia’s most-played playlists of the summer.

Mariella by Khruangbin, Leon Bridges

Elegantly Wasted by Hermanos Gutierrez, Leon Bridges

Strange by Celeste

How it's gotta be by Nectar Woode

Beyond by Leon Bridges

Nice to each other by Olivia Dean

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Find more of sounds curated by Lydia here.