MEET THE DESIGNER — PALMER//HARDING
WHO IS THE PALMER//HARDING CLIENT?
P//H: The palmer//harding woman is really quite varied, what they share in common is an interest in style over fashion and clothes that work for them and not the other way around. Comfort, versatility ease and design are all of equal importance.
WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU WHEN DESIGNING FOR A WOMAN?
P//H: It’s vital to honor the women we are dressing and design pieces that will complement their feminine power and grace.
WHERE DO YOU GATHER INSPIRATION?
P//H: We have a wide interest in all fields of creativity for inspiration; however, we are most frequently inspired by contemporary dance and music. I think this is why it is so important to us that each design captures a certain movement or poetry in the way that it is worn.
WHAT IS YOUR DAILY UNIFORM?
P//H: Matthew and I mostly wear jersey tops and statement trousers. I would love to wear more white shirts but working in this industry you often have to shlep and move things about and therefore its easier to work in a t-shirt or turtle neck.
WHAT IS YOUR MORNING RITUAL?
P//H: Porridge, french press coffee, news or re-runs of Ru Paul Drag Race depending on if we want to embrace or escape reality.
DESCRIBE THE AESTHETIC OF YOUR HOME.
P//H: We live in a very young and vibrant part of town and our flat is a converted workshop. So we have loads of exposed red brick walls, leather sofas, a large cow hide rug and way too many plants. We also have a lot of natural wood furniture. The mix of green and wood gives the space a certain grounding that is needed in such a manic city life.
HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN BALANCE IN YOUR LIFE?
P//H: Matthew goes to the gym 6 days a week and escapes in the evening with a bit of play station gaming. I do the gym 3 times a week and do ballet practice 3 times a week as well. When we want to do something more cultural we will go to the theatre or the Ballet/Contemporary Dance.
WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL VACATION SPOT?
P//H: Someplace hot and exotic away from people.
WHAT INSPIRED YOUR PRE SPRING AND SPRING COLLECTIONS?
P//H: We wanted to play with graphic stripes and the idea of kinetic movement, so a lot of the elements in the designs can move and transform to become something a little different and gives the garment many ways to be worn.
WILL YOU TALK ABOUT WHERE YOU AND YOUR PARTNER ARE FROM AND HOW IT AFFECTS YOUR DESIGN SENSIBILITY?
LEVI: I am from Belton Texas originally, and lived in both Austin and Dallas before moving to London to study fashion at Central Saint Martins. I think growing up in Texas has instilled a desire for freedom and ease in our clothing and those early years so close to nature made me quite a romantic when it comes to fashion.
MATTHEW: I am from just outside of London, I think growing up near such a cosmopolitan environment has really provided a unique skill on being able to blend and mix loads of inspirational references to build something new and unique.
