My Life In Fashion: Harris Reed
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My earliest fashion memory is wrapping my sister in the curtains around the house. I always loved the relationship between fabric and the body. Because I’d wear a pink dress shirt or put on my mum’s jewellery, I was labelled as gay before I even knew what that was. I might have been young, but I could see there was a power in how people perceived fashion and the way you dress.
I always told my mum I was going to be a dresser upper. That was before I knew I wanted to be a designer, but my mum started getting me subscriptions to WWD, Vogue and Harper’s – that opened my eyes to all the possibilities, and I remember seeing that Central Saint Martins was the place to be. It was where Stella McCartney, McQueen and Riccardo Tisci had studied. I remember thinking, that’s my tribe. I got in and fell in love with the industry.
My professor, Stephanie Cooper, shouted at the class: “If you want to get anywhere in this industry, you need to sneak into every show and every party.” She gave us an assignment to get into four parties or shows that season. So, we’d sneak in the back of Vogue parties or talk our way into the standing room of the Molly Goddard show. Chet Lo, Conner Ives, me… We were so determined and just so excited – we felt we had nothing to lose.
I wanted to dress fabulously but didn’t have much money, so I started making clothes. It got me noticed by Katie Grand and Dame Vivienne Westwood – all these incredible people who invited me to their parties. Then Harry Lambert suggested I create things for his clients. I’ve worked with him for nine years now.
My style is dark and romantic, but I've been trying to make it a bit more serious lately. Recently, the A-list stylist Elizabeth Saltzman stopped me on the street and said, “This, sweetie, this is who you are now. I don’t know what this is but you’re making eight different colourways of this.” I was wearing a sheer pussy-bow blouse, a cigarette trouser and a patent leather boot. I had these old school Tom Ford sunglasses on too.
@RoyalSalute; @PriyankaChopra; @Harris_Reed
The best piece of fashion advice I’ve ever received came from Pier Paolo Piccioli. I was about to show my first Nina Ricci collection, and I was really hoping people liked it. He said, “F*ck what people like. You have to believe in it. That’s all that matters.” It’s something I’ve always told myself since.
The only fashion rule I live by is, if I wouldn’t wear it, I’m not making it. When you’re merchandising and creating a collection, it’s easy to think maybe “someone” will like it – but those are always the pieces that don’t sell as well. I’ve learnt to listen to my gut. I’ve been so lucky to build a team of people that I can really trust too.
Fashion should be fun and playful. Sure, it’s a business and you have to make money, but I think the financial means to do that come from the fun that my shows evoke. It makes people feel excited.
My own brand Harris Reed is a bit more high art. Not in a pretentious way – I just mean it’s demi couture and more instinctual than the work I do for Nina Ricci. When I get off the Eurostar at London St Pancras, I’m instantly back in the Harris Reed rhythm.
It’s important to show that London is very much on the fashion map. This is the first time I’m officially on the schedule at London Fashion Week. It felt right to join the likes of Erdem and Simone Rocha – people I’ve looked up to for a really long time. It’s also the home of Westwood and McQueen. This is the place to come and see fashion in a heightened way – it’s different from New York, Paris and Milan.
As a 6ft 4in queer person, I’ve never had the opportunity to just blend in. I’ve always leaned into that. I’ve found my happiest self in those uncomfortable moments. Of course, clothes should fit you perfectly, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with feeling a little bit uncomfortable. It means people are going to notice you.
Nina Ricci
Marc Hibbert; @Harris_Reed
Going to the Met Gala with Demi Moore this year was an incredible moment. The morning after, I woke up to the news that Harris Reed was one of the most searched brands of the night, so that felt powerful and triumphant. It reassured me that, especially as the economy shifts and changes, you can still make dreams come true.
David Bowie is my ultimate icon, so to dress Iman was a real highlight. We went to the Met Gala in 2021. I was working out of a free hotel room at The Standard at the time and, every year when you’re running a company, you’re wondering whether it’s going to happen. That year it did, and to have that global confirmation that you’re moving in the right direction felt really special.
I loved dressing Adele. Having her as one of the first women to wear my collection for Nina Ricci was a huge accomplishment – as was getting to dress her in Harris Reed for a music video from her new album. I flew to LA when there were still a lot of post-pandemic travel restrictions, and she invited me to her house. I had a bunch of my Missoma x Harris Reed jewellery with me. One minute she was asking what it was, the next she was taking out all of her diamonds and wearing it. Everyone saw that music video and we sold out of so many of the pieces.
I would respond to a VIP at 3am if they needed a dress for the VMAs, but I’m not a workaholic. Since getting married six months ago, I feel like I have someone to stop for. Having a partner and respecting his time and wanting to be there for him has made me step back a bit. I'm sure when I have kids that will be another reminder. I love projects that challenge me and that push my creativity, so I’m sure the balance and scales will shift.
When it comes to getting dressed, I like to have everything hung up and steamed the night before. When you have to catch a flight at 5am or your car’s sitting outside at 3.30am, you need to just roll into something. It’s great to just put on the outfit that’s there. I clean shave and use my Charlotte Tilbury products. For hair, I use an Amazon crimper and a Dyson Airwrap.
@Adele
My favourite piece of all time is a bias-cut snakeskin Alexander McQueen coat. It's vintage and I bought it in Palm Springs. It’s probably the most beautiful thing I own. I also have some Dries Van Noten trousers I love – again, vintage – and an old pair of Tom Ford for Gucci sunglasses.
My most extravagant purchase was an Hermès Birkin bag. I bought it second-hand in Paris. It’s in oxblood, from 2002, and has silver hardware. It’s also covered in a thousand charms, like Jane Birkin. I wear it the way you’re meant to wear it, so it’s filled with things like my sewing kit and a pair of trainers.
If I could swap wardrobes with anyone, it would be Elizabeth Taylor. I want all of her jewellery. Also Iris Apfel – I’ve always been obsessed with her. And Madonna – I’d love to wear all her Dolce & Gabbana from the 90s.
Whisky really was a part of my childhood. My late grandad used to tell me lovely stories, whisky glass in hand, and my great grandfather was also Scottish, so we did family trips to see him. Whisky is warm and reminds me of family. Most of the time I drink it straight, with a massive ice cube. Adding a little water allows you to taste more of the notes and the complexities of it.
I love how considered Royal Salute is. I started going to Royal Salute dinners and events about two years ago. The brand was so elevated and had such a rich history and legacy. The design process was a challenge because I’m only a brand that’s five years old, so finding a bit of iconography was quite difficult. Eventually, I settled on the headpiece. It’s a modern crown, fitting with Royal Salute. I believe the bottle colours are either brand signatures or will become so. For me, the black and gold was an obvious choice – it’s something I've done a lot in my collections.
Follow @HARRIS_REED & @ROYALSALUTE
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