Harikrishnan Keezhathil Surendran Pillai, also known as Harri, has rapidly made an impact on the London circuit. His 2019 MA collection at the London College of Fashion featured heading-turning, expansive latex balloon pants that went viral. Those pieces were constructed from latex panels and could be inflated through a seven-millimeter-wide valve connected to the bottoms. Earlier this year, singer Sam Smith wore one of Harri’s outlandish creations at the Brit Awards, thrusting the designer even further into the spotlight. Now, Harri has unveiled his spring collection at London Fashion Week through his first standalone runway show.
A look from the collection.
Photo: Kaj Lehner/ Courtesy of Harri
“I’m severely colorblind, so my work centers around layers of form and texture,” Harri explained about his design process post-show. Having previously pursued bodybuilding in India (officially quitting in 2016) and growing up with an artist father, the designer, originally from Kerala and later studying in London in 2017, is particularly fascinated by the human body’s contours. He elaborated, stating, “My father encouraged me to study Sarah Simblet’s book Anatomy for the Artist, which I was obsessed with during my gym days. However, my interests within it took a different turn when I began sketching clothes.”
