The feminist inspiration behind Wesley Harriott SS19
Showing for the first time as a presentation this London Fashion Week is Wesley Harriott, an exciting new brand from one Ricky Wesley Harriott. Having won the ASOS Fashion Discovery competition this year, the brand will be stocked on the website for at least two seasons, and catapulted into recognition. Having already been worn by the likes of SA, Jorja Smith, Stefflon Don and Golden Barbie, Wesley Harriott is fast becoming a household name. Interested in using this name for good, his latest collection is as ever a love letter to women, and this time one with a powerful message. We caught up with the designer to find out just what that is, and what this latest collection means to him.
How does this year feel for you?
I didn’t see any of it coming to be honest, I just worked really hard to be a part of the ASOS competition and winning was just a bonus. It’s allowed me to put on my first London Fashion Week presentation, so to be able to give people a live insight into what I do is more than I could have ever imagined.
Where did you draw influence from for this collection?
Normally I draw so much from sci-fi and anime, but this time it’s definitely centred in my reality. I spoke to a lot of my female friends about what they consider when they get dressed in the morning, and I realised we went back and forth with so many contradictions: be powerful but not over the top, be sexy but too sexy. It made me think, how does a designer cater to women, who are so harshly judged. So I thought let’s play with that, and create contradictions in the garments.
What sort of ways did you try to present this?
A lot in the tailoring, it’s super strong and exaggerated, but really strong and elegant. There’s a gown that’s very sheer and sexy, but draped in with men’s suiting. All in all, I wanted to say in my collection: women are going to be themselves, whoever they need to be. I wanted to communicate that with a bit of humour.
How does it feel to be a designer and express yourself through art in this social era?
Where I come from, it’s not common that many people get an opportunity or a platform to say what they want to say, so I just want to use mine and use my brand to communicate what I want to say. I want to make a difference; to use my voice to improve equality. It’s all about inclusion for me, I’m half Jamaican and so I ensure my cast is diverse, I want to ensure people see that inclusion is powerful and it belongs in fashion.
What’s next for you?
First of all, I’m going to have a nap! Then I’m going to working on ASOS, we’ve had our meetings but there’s such a short gap between September and February so it’s onwards and upwards.I’m just looking to grow and improve, up and up and up!
Take a look behind the scenes at Wesley Harriott SS19 below now, and follow the designer on Instagram here.
