“This season, I wanted to celebrate the people who have given me a new purpose and reason to wake up everyday,” London-based artist and designer Harri tells us about working on the concept with his team. “Together, we gave ourselves a brief… to create the unimaginable and something we will never forget in our lives.”

During the London Fashion Week menswear calendar, Harri and the team behind his namesake brand brought guests to the Royal Academy of Arts for their groundbreaking and highly innovative fourth presentation. Renowned for his revolutionary designs, the London College of Fashion graduate has built a reputation for breaking the traditional mould of menswear — and this season was no exception. Combining performance, movement, and sculpture with fashion and textile design, Harri forwent a traditional runway and collection for a singular, massive piece and performance featuring Eurovision 2024 winner Nemo. Crafted specifically for the Benjamin West Lecture Theatre and inspired by the space’s seemingly divine, church-like aura, Harri’s ‘Chapter 4’ came in the form of an inflatable latex ensemble — which burst to life as Nemo performed their track “The Code.” We spoke to both artists about the collaboration.

Read the interview…

Hi both! How are you doing? Harri, have you been able to relax or celebrate a bit since the show?
Harri: Hey! Yes, thank you for asking. I am currently in my hometown in Kerala, in South India, spending time with my family and taking some time for rest. It’s been a relaxing end after weeks of preparation and lots of activity. 

Nemo: I’m doing really well, thank you! I’m currently in Zurich, rehearsing my live set with my band. It’s an exciting time as we’re fine-tuning everything for our upcoming performances.

The show was breathtaking and unlike anything I’ve seen. Harri, how did you come up with the concept? 
Harri: The concept was a complete collaboration between my team and I. This season I wanted to celebrate the people who have given me a new purpose and reason to wake up everyday. We’ve been working back to back on ready-to-wear projects, since September. So when the British Fashion Council (BFC) came to us with Royal Academy of Arts (RA), we were really excited to be involved. Catalysed by this idea, together we gave ourselves a brief asking us to create the unimaginable and something we will never forget in our lives. 

What was the process like of actually making the piece? Have you always wanted to work on such a large scale?
Harri: The process was one of a kind. We had seven people in our team, each taking ownership and creating a master plan. Brainstorming, numerous meetings, and ideation sessions to develop the scale and design of this work. We created this workflow and took ownership of various aspects. There was no hierarchy of a typical design house with a creative director and his team. But instead, we were seven minds and hands coming together to create something we will remember forever. 

Why did you decide to show at the Royal Academy of Arts? How did the atmosphere add to presentation?
Harri: I never wanted to work on such a large scale. Sometimes scale can be boring, but in this case, the venue was asking for such a unique proportion. This was my first site-specific installation and therefore I wanted to create something that was bespoke and together forms a synergy with the space I was presenting in. Therefore the scale. I am very thankful to the BFC and Caroline Rush who offered me this opportunity as part of NEWGEN to showcase at the RA. The atmosphere within the presentation was angelic and spiritual. It was also more of an intimate environment and allowed my community to experience my work in the most up close and sentimental way. 

Nemo, how did you get connected with Harri? And what was the fitting process like?
Nemo: Harri and I connected over the phone a few days before our performance. We had a brainstorming session where we discussed various ideas. It was a great way to get on the same page creatively and to start building a vision for our collaboration. The fitting process was a lot of fun! Latex is quite a unique material — it’s not the easiest to get in and out of, haha. Harri and his team ensured that everything fit perfectly and looked amazing.

What initially spoke to you or drew you to Harri’s design work?
Nemo: What immediately stood out to me about Harri’s work is his boldness and non-conformity. His designs challenge traditional norms and push boundaries, which is something I deeply resonate with. There’s a fearless quality to his work that aligns perfectly with my own artistic philosophy.

To you, what is the impact of bridging music and fashion/art? How does what you wear influence your performance?
Nemo: For me, fashion is deeply intertwined with my performances and overall visual world. It’s right up there with music as one of the most crucial ways I express myself. What I wear on stage significantly influences how I feel and how I perform. It enhances the storytelling aspect of my music, adds a visual dimension to my shows, and helps me connect with the audience on a deeper level. The synergy between music and fashion allows me to create a more immersive and impactful experience.

Harri, how did Nemo’s performance bring it to life even further? 
Harri: Nemo is an exceptional craftsperson in their creative practice as demonstrated during Eurovision. They have a true gift, with their exceptional vocal range and this is at the forefront of our minds when we think of them. We were very fortunate to have them sing the winning track, “The Code”. They even recreated this version for us and we are very thankful to Nemo for this.