Now here’s a new use of Olio Verde Novello olive oil for the uninitiated…

Shortly before leaving NYC, where I spent the better part of a decade from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, I met Geoffrey Holder, the most encouraging, supportive, positive man I ever met. Those of you who either watched late 1960s – early 1970s James Bond movies (with Roger Moore), or lived in the US and saw TV ads for 7Up or un-cola, or enjoyed ballet throughout the 1950s and 1960s, would know who he is. Also those who currently shop at Dean & Deluca’s first location, at the corner of Prince and Broadway in Manhattan, or who dine at Balthazar, would be familiar with the intriguing sight of tall, handsome, elegant Geoffrey.

It was but natural that I would rush over to Geoffrey Holder with a fresh bottle of Olio Verde’s new harvest (2002, 2003, 2004) as soon as it hit the American shore. And one day, as I was looking at one of Geoffrey’s  almost finished paintings, up in his studio in SoHo, realizing how good it was, how it possessed all the bottled-up energy, broad warmth, intense mystery, depth and SOUL which Geoffrey’d convey to you even during simple chit-chat, for instance, over rum-and-lemon soda, it hit me. I had never seen our Olio Verde bottle in his kitchen. Easy enough not to miss, given the kitchen was practically an extension of the main studio space. Furthermore, there were plenty of occasions to ascertain this: one would try and save Geoffrey the trip to the kitchen by fetching a couple of glasses oneself, for the drinks Geoffrey never failed to offer when you visited.

Long story short, or short story long, depending on the point of view, Geoffrey explained to me they, in the family, had found that never had a product worked so well for their skin and hair as our Olio Verde olive oil!  It wasn’t in the kitchen I should look for it, but by the bathroom mirror. And this brought back a long-lost memory: I used to put it in my hair to go to kindergarten all the way into second grade. Except, I was little, had no clue about beauty routine, and didn’t wash it off (you’re supposed to rub and leave it in for a few hours only, then rinse). Nobody ever said a word to me about it either, thankfully, thus preserving my ego. Hey, you open-minded ex-school mates out there, remember, that weird-smelling kid back then? That was me, oh yes. And know what, eating and slathering on that outstanding olive oil made me pretty, self-confident, big-hearted and healthy… now did it make me as artistic, smart and talented as Geoffrey, that I doubt.

Here is a piece of Geoffrey’s genius for you all to enjoy!

- GaB