Palmer Harding Exclusive Collection Interview

Why is using excess fabric so important to you? What inspired you to use them?

Excess fabrics contribute to waste, so by utilising our existing fabric stock to create new designs we’re able to put the excess fabrics to good use. Also, our historic fabrics all sit within a language of our brand, so we were able to mix and match across multiple seasons to create a collection that is harmonious and modern. 

What does sustainability mean to you?

Being conscious of the materials, labour and purpose of every purchase that is made. It’s about knowing that your clothing was made in a considered and responsible manner and making purchases that you’ll wear for years to come.

How did you both meet and what made you launch the label together all those years ago?

We met at Central Saint Martins while studying and launched our brand shortly after graduating. We based the concept of our label around the idea that directional design should apply to daywear, so we thought we would use our creativity and apply this to one of the key core pieces in a woman’s wardrobe - shirts and shirt dresses. 

Shirting is obviously the brand’s USP. Why did you decide to focus on the shirt initially? What makes it such a classic?

When we launched our brand, the shirt was a neglected garment in luxury design, so we felt it was due a creative update. At the same time, the shirt was a staple in most people’s wardrobes, rooted in history and tradition. These multiple elements provided a perfect canvas for us to apply our artistry. The beauty of the shirt is that it sits in between the realms of smart/casual and masculine/feminine and these contrasts make it a classic that always stands the test of time.

How has your take on the shirt evolved over the years?

Our ongoing reinterpretation of the shirt lies in our sculptural approach to design. We take the main shirt signifiers such as a collar, cuffs, yoke button stand, and apply them to the innovative dropping and fabric manipulations which we create on a dress form. Volume and silhouette have always taken centre stage as this is the type of design that we find most interesting.

What makes it such a relevant and desirable item now?

Our shirts have always been future classics because they encapsulate artistry, craft and originality.  They stand the test of time in a wardrobe and feel as modern and relevant today as they will 10 years from now.  

Is there a still a big demand for tailoring given that so many of us work from home now?

Many brands switched to the idea that people just want to wear jumpers and jersey in the new WFH world. Although in some respects this is true, fashion remains important for our customer - she understands that dressing is not just about the way we present ourselves to others, but it’s also a key mood-altering ritual. Dressing with more intent adds confidence and, in a workspace, that confidence can really help to build your career and productivity.

How would you describe the type of woman you dress?

Independent thinkers, women who dress for themselves and want to wear looks where design meets function. This ranges from architects, authors, artists and doctors to lawyers, politicians, musicians, actresses and philanthropists. What these women have in common is they all have a passion for the careers they chose; they’re all leaders in their field.

What new ways should our shoppers experiment with shirting now?

In the spirit of WFH, it’s great to wear a crisp clean shirt with a pair of stylish silk pyjama bottoms or trackies in a luxury material like satin or velvet - something that says relaxed but elegant on the bottom, but clean and in control on top. Pair it with an easy slip-on wedge for a nod to a house slipper but with more style.