Harris Elliott and H by Harris may be a new face in luxurious luggage, but is anything but in the fashion and music industry. Having already established himself as a leading stylist for the likes of Mark Ronson, Kelly Rowland, Nike and French Connection, Harris Elliot started H by Harris out of need for a stylish yet practical laptop case. His collection has since evolved to include rucksacks, totes and weekend bags, featuring hand quilted Nappa leather and wax Nubuck, designed and manufactured in the UK. We caught up with Harris to talk about the brand, inspiration and who might be in need of a Harris Elliot-makeover.
LH: Was the decision to start H by Harris a natural transition for you with your background as a stylist?
HE: From a creative point of view it has been a natural progression for me. As a stylist you are constantly coming up with ideas and new ways of presenting and interpreting other designers’ collections. So creating my own range was an obvious choice as my head is always full of details and ideas that I try and get out in one way or another.
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LH: What is it about luggage and not say, clothing or accessories, that made you want to pursue it? Did you find options were lacking? Or did you feel you could do it better than the rest?
HE: I’m not a big fan of the fast changing seasons that you have with clothing, with luggage you don’t have to change your whole collection every six months. My initial designs were for laptop bags and that was because I couldn’t find a nice one anywhere. I also feel there is a gap in the market for well designed luggage that doesn’t have over designed details.
H by Harris | Q1 Skin | Hand quilted Nappa leather laptop sleeve
LH: Your debut collection is comprised of two different treatments of materials for two separate collections, hand quilted nappa leather and the wax hide leather, why those two specifically?
HE: My Q range – hand quilted nappa, is designed to cushion the contents within, they look stylish and they exude thoughts of comfort and protection at the same time. My ‘Sh’ range in wax hide looks like canvas and more heavy duty, but when you touch the bags you realise that they have a very soft finish. I love texture and form so both of my ranges are very tactile.
LH: What can people expect, and what do you want people to know about an H by Harris product?
HE: My ranges are manufactured in England, and so customers should expect quality craftmanship. By nature of being a stylist I always present new ideas, this ethos will follow through in my luggage ranges. I would like to build a series of loyal customers who can expect well designed products that aren’t like other bags on the market.
H by Harris | Q3 Rucksack
LH: Your degree is in Architecture and Interior Design, we’ve talked to a few creative director’s with similar backgrounds in architecture and/or industrial design, how does that training influence your design process?
HE: My training means that fashion is not my starting point, I’m inspired by spaces, graphics, films and culture in all its incarnations, trying to use non expected details for whatever it is I am creating. Form and function are paramount, and how your designs are seen and used by different people.
LH: Speaking of your background, is a Harris Elliott furniture line or Harris Elliott designed shop, something we can expect in the future?
HE: Definitely expect big things in the future, the first will be a mini film that will be out later this year to coincide with the release of an exclusive creation. I would love to design furniture and or interiors. I’m up for collaborating, this is only the beginning there’s always bigger ideas waiting to surface.
LH: We don’t want to get you in trouble but need to ask, who really needs Harris Elliott makeover?
HE: Well they don’t need a make over, but I would love to work with Vincent Cassell and Mos Def.
For more information, hit up the H by Harris site.
H by Harris | Q5 Weekend
SH1 Tote & SH3 Skinny Tote | Wax Nubuck leather
SH4 Weekend | Wax Nubuck leather
JQ1 WK ND | Soft hide leather
