Harris Reed RTW Fall 2023
Actress Florence Pugh opened Harris Reed’s fall runway show at the Tate Modern museum dressed in a black and silver Jack of Diamonds dress with a velvet bustier and matching oversize hat that gave a halo effect.
Reed also invited his friends Lisa Rinna and Jodie Turner-Smith to sit front row.
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Backstage Rinna and Pugh met for the first time in person after exchanging messages on Instagram for the past three years.
Reed reached out to Pugh asking her if she wanted to make a little queer kid’s dream come true and she immediately agreed to walk the show, according to the British American designer.
“I explained it [the concept] because she’s very serious about what she does. I told her it’s my queer expression of art. I want to celebrate London and I want to make it theatrical,” an excited Reed related backstage.
“She also said, ‘I’ve always wanted to wear a big hat,’ and she did,’” Reed added.
The 10-look collection used 80 meters of deadstock gold lamé theater curtains which went hand in hand with the designer’s interpretation of the William Shakespeare quote: “All the world’s a stage.”
Reed, a fan of old couture, took his cues from the greats: Cristobal Balenciaga’s 1950s layered ruffles and hourglass silhouettes mixed with Rei Kawakubo’s lumps and bumps from 1997. The 26-year-old is not just making operatic clothing, but he seems to be enjoying it more than anyone else.
Two violinists played pieces of classical music and a rendition of a song from rock duo Royal Blood, adding an emotional charge.
“It’s quite intense, I love the idea of how rock can be romantic and it sounded beautiful with strings. The whole thing felt theatrical,” according to Reed.
The show doesn’t stop there for the designer. Next month he will be showing his debut collection for the French fashion house Nina Ricci during Paris Fashion Week. He’s already promised “magnified femininity.”
Launch Gallery: Harris Reed RTW Fall 2023
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