She loves all things blue. Envelope talks to Kelly Harrington @kellouhar
Who are you?
Kelly Harrington
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Surrey, South London.
What is the first thing you do in the morning?
The first thing I do in the morning is jump in the shower at 6.00am to wake myself. On the weekend the first thing I do is make a big tea pot of Earl Grey Tea!
Did you have any style icons growing up?
Today my style icons are Brigitte Bardot, Jean Shrimpton and Jane Birkin because of their 60's classic style. I love Jean Shrimpton and Birkin's hair. When I was younger my style icon was probably Kylie Minogue!
Tell us about your job as a forecaster and Print designer.
As a trend forecaster for H&M I work as part of an in house Trend & Forecast Team. I can work for up to a year and a half in advance predicting future trends. I also work with our vintage archive, buying and collecting vintage clothing and accessories from around the world to influence and inspire our future trends. Vintage is something I've always been passionate about as every piece tells a story, its individual and unique. My own wardrobe is a bit like this, I like things worn and with character. As a print designer I design paint and draw the prints for garments, my job is so varied that everyday I'm doing something different. I love it. I design prints for womenswear, menswear, homewear, sportswear, accessories and some of our designer collaborations.
How did you end up with your job at H&M?
I studied printed textiles at Loughborough University and after graduating I freelanced in a print studio in London selling my work to designers at trade fairs. From here I got my job at H&M, relocating to Sweden in 2001. Moving to Sweden was a big deal and at that time Sweden felt like the end of the universe and it took me a while to get used to the long winters in snow and darkness. Nowadays Sweden feels a bit like my second home, it is a beautiful country, is so clean and the air is amazing. I travel there almost every month now.
What is your background?
I did a foundation course at Wimbledon college of art and I studied printed textiles at Loughborough University. At university I learnt how to transfer my designs onto silk screens, dye fabric and make lengths of fabric to be cut for clothing. I always knew I wanted to be a designer since I was a little girl. I love to draw and paint just as much now as I did then.
What are the highlights of your career?
The highlights of my career have definitely been having the opportunity to work on the designer collaborations. I have worked with the Lanvin and WaterAid collections, Victor & Rolf and Matthew Williamson. The Matthew Williamson collection is my most memorable. He was an amazing person to work with, so kind and inspiring. I was so nervous when I first met him but he soon put me at ease. Looking back I used to collect pictures of his early collections for my mood boards, before Pinterest was invented! Being able to say that I have met and worked with him is definitely a memory I will never forget.
How is it to see someone wearing your design?
It is the most incredible feeling seeing someone wearing your work. Walking down the street especially in another country it sometimes seems a little unreal. I like seeing people style my designs in their own unique way. I get the same feeling when I see billboards with my work on, one minute I'm painting a bunch of roses, the next they can be on a garment on a 6 ft high advertisement. I loved it when Kate Bosworth wore my WaterAid designs a few years ago because I think she is a cool style icon of today.
According to your Instagram you have a huge passion for denim blue. Why is that?
I'm passionate about denim blue and indigo because denim is timeless and never goes out of style. Denim has a huge history, I find this fascinating. I never tire of it and I think like everyone, I've worn it all my life. It is a huge part of my wardrobe. I don't actually wear that many printed garments myself as I design them everyday. I prefer to wear a clean canvas and am drawn to wearing denim and man-style shirting. I was first interested in denim when I wrote my dissertation on the Levis brand at university. I have since collected denim from round the world scouring flea markets, charity shops and vintage stores. I have all kinds of styles and denims. I'm not fussed about brands just as long as it's comfy and fits well. I still have my first pair of Levi's from school which I cut down to shorts in the 90's I can just about get in them. I also have another pair that I've had since I was about 17 that I turned into a skirt! It's seen the inside of print rooms so is covered in printing dye! The waist band is cut off and frayed at the hem! I love how it's worn with age. I am hugely sentimental about my clothing and I associate them with periods of my life and places I’ve been. I still hold onto jeans that I probably don’t even fit, but I just can’t get rid of them. My indigo obsession comes from my love of Japan. I've been visiting Japan for about 13 years for work and pleasure. I love the old fashioned indigo technique Shibori that is hand made and left to chance. I love the imperfections and that is something that can't be recreated. I have a few old Sashiko stitch indigo kimonos, scarves and boro style jackets hanging around my house. For some reason indigo and denim fits with my lifestyle. I like the ease, vibe and the comfort. I have yet to do a proper indigo dye course, this is something I wish to do in the future.
Where do you look for inspiration?
I love to travel, it feeds my imagination with new ideas. One of my favourite places to visit is Japan. I love the mix of old and new culture. I find inspiration from the young hipsters in Shibuya and the way they style and mix their clothes or from the local flea market where I pick up trinkets. My inspiration can come from something as simple as a painted wall that could inspire a collection of painted prints. I once made a collection of sports prints from textured surfaces from my house extension, and a crackle texture from Soho square in London was made into a shirt and skirt. I never go anywhere without my phone, I am always 10 steps behind everyone else taking a picture for my next project.
Who inspires you?
I normally look to the past for inspiration so style icons like Ali McGraw, Brigitte Bardot, Steve McQueen. Old classic films inspire me, like Love Story, Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid, Cool Hand Luke. I’ve always loved art by David Hockney, especially the splash and water themes.
How important is vintage for you and your research?
I love collecting vintage clothing this is one of my main sources of inspiration. LA has so many fantastic vintage stores, I always manage to find amazing 60's dresses here for myself. I also can't go to LA without visiting the Rose Bowl flea market. It's so huge and holds so many little gems of the past. I like the process of rummaging and trying to find something unique. As well as denim my own wardrobe has a good collection of vintage dresses but my favourite vintage piece that I own is a old Alfred Shaheen Hawaii shirt from the 50's. I have a bit of a thing for old Sun Surf Hawaii shirts and vintage Reyn Spooner shirts. I normally get these in LA. but unfortunately I can't wear them as they are to big for me but I love the quirky prints.
What does style mean to you?
Style for me is about the way you wear something and the way you put it together. I've bought some of my clothes from charity shops and people have asked where I have bought them, so it’s about confidence and how comfortable you are wearing something. Also I believe if you have well-manicured fingers and toes then anything you put on will look good.
What is a keeper in you wardrobe?
Anything denim. A white shirt normally from the British label MIH. I love stripes and Breton tops. I can't be without my Whistles leather biker jacket, It's my go to item. I also love classic leather bags especially by Balenciaga but I have a miniature Prada bag in bright blue that I adore.
What key items do you go for this season?
This season my favourite key items will be, a dungaree dress and a 60’s futuristic mini dress. Dress up or dress down? You can't go wrong with a good pair of jeans, a white shirt or t shirt, killer heels and a classic bag. So I think I'm a dress down kind of girl. I always keep a pair of sneakers in my bag! Do you ever plan your outfits? I never plan my outfits day to day I normally always keep it casual in denim. I have a day wardrobe and a night wardrobe at home. If I'm going out for a special occasion then usually I take a lot of time to find the perfect outfit.
Vintage or new buys?
I think vintage! I like unique, although I like new shoes and handbags. So I suppose I’m a 50/50 girl, mix & match is best. Skinny jeans or boyfriends? That's a good question! It's taken a while for me to think about this! My wardrobe contains many of both. Different looks for different occasions, these days I like a ripped boyfriend for everyday. My favourites are my Levis 501ct's. I'm a fan of dungarees and have a pair of Levi Vintage XXs that I got in LA that I seem to live in. For a skinny jean occasion I like Frame denim and Paige. I'm also partial to a crazy skinny look like my Rag & Bone jeans with checked patches. About where you live
How is it to live in London?
I love living in London it's so eclectic, there is so much to do and see. Sometimes when you live in a city like London you take for granted what is around you. We have so many fantastic galleries which I often visit. My favourite is the Tate modern. I can’t wait to see the Sonia Delaunay exhibition. I also enjoy the Portobello and Notting Hill area. Portobello is great for coffee shops and the vintage market on Fridays, I like its boho vibe. Where do you take your coffee? I take my coffee at Fernandez & Wells or Soho Grind on Beak Street on the way to work.
Where do you eat?
I eat breakfast at the Detox Kitchen. Lunch at Raw Press on Dover Street or Koya bar selling Japanese small plates and udon noodles its the closest I’ve come to a little piece of Japan in London. Mac & Cheese at Spuntino's accompanied by a few of their cocktails. I love the seafood at Scotts.
Where do you shop?
Liberty is my favourite shop. I love the personal shopping experience. I love Prada and Balenciaga and you’ll find me drooling over the handbags and shoes whilst planning my next wish list. You’ll also find me in DSM on Dover Street at lunchtime looking at Comme des Garcons and having lunch at the Rose Bakery. I also shop at COS, UNIQLO & H&M.
Where do you go out?
The Dean Street Townhouse for cocktails.
Where would you book your stay if you should have a night at a hotel in London?
I'm a fan of the Firmdale Hotels group, which includes the Soho and the Haymarket hotels, so I would choose the Ham Yard Hotel as their newest edition. It has a fabulous bar with a pretty little courtyard outside and to top it off it has a 1950’s American bowling alley!
What is the next big thing?
Modern Quilting, Patchwork and Padded designs. Knitwear makes a comeback, oversized bold and daring.
What trends do you believe in?
A return and focus on modern craft, a sustainable and honest approach to design and an appreciation of hand made, authentic and traditional items.
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