Retro booster
As his new homeware collection launches, designer Henry Holland chats to SAM WYLIE-HARRIS about stepping back from fashion and reclaiming your joy
FASHION designer Henry Holland is known for his bold designs, slogan T-shirts and quintessentially British clothing brand – so perhaps it’s no surprise the founder of House of Holland is equally at home in the world of interiors.
From the catwalk to ceramics, contemporary textiles and soft furnishings, Henry is launching Henry Holland Modern Living, an exciting new homeware collection and collaboration with digital department store, Freemans.
It’s a crafted collection of 100 considered and affordable pieces, which stay true to Henry’s design aesthetic and interiors vision, with a nod to iconic designs from the 1970s.
“It definitely has a slightly retro feel to it because of my love of modern, mid-century shapes, forms and pieces,” says the Ramsbottomborn designer. “And then we introduced my personal touches of texture and colour to the soft furnishings and some of the printed pieces.”
A RANGE OF EMOTIONS
“It’s been really lovely to build something that feels cohesive, but also, it’s got some standout individual pieces along with beautiful, forever pieces people can have in their home for many years,” Henry adds.
The 38-year-old – who lives with his husband, designer David Hodgson and their French bulldog Peggy in East London – closed the door on his House of Holland label in March 2020. On reflection, he thinks the biggest crossover between fashion and interiors is in the texture and manufacture of the product.
“With fashion, it’s very much about how it moves and how it drapes, but with homewares it’s much more about; you know emotions you can create through texture, how it makes you feel and what you get back from a room.”
The majority of the range will be available from October, but Henry says there’ll be other pieces coming a little later. “It’s been really nice to work across all the different categories, soft furnishings, furniture, ceramic and glass, lighting and build something that’s a full collection.”
STARS OF THE SHOW
Hero pieces include a stunning cream boucle sofa with accent chair. “He’s called Shaun because I think it looks like Shaun the Sheep [from the kids’ TV series],” Henry continues. “I love the glass-fronted cabinet and some of the larger scale things.
“Working in 3D with the furniture pieces was amazing for me, I found that really fulfilling and exciting.”
POSTER-MODERNISM
A number of framed posters feature within the range and give swift insight into the aesthetic behind the collection. “The artwork and prints are definitely something we want to build on,” says Henry.
“The ‘Reclaim Your Joy’ is actually something that came from one of my acupuncture appointments. He said, ‘You just want to reclaim your joy,’ and I said I couldn’t have put it better myself. “I really like the feeling behind that phrase. It really reflects what people are needing from their home at the moment.”
AN ADDED DIMENSION
Henry has also launched Henry Holland Studio. Recent projects include a series of beautifully designed ceramic dinner chargers for a private dinner held by Moet & Chandon, as well as a striking collection of rugs in bold, psychedelic patterns for FLOOR-STORY as part of the London Design Festival 2021.
“I kind of found it as a creative outlet when I stepped back from fashion,” explains Henry. “I just really fell in love with the process of making things with my hands, and probably the first time in 15 years when I can’t look at my phone for several hours, because I’m so involved.
“Working in 3D is a new experience from working in fashion and I’m really enjoying it, and working on more and more of it when I can.”
Does he miss the fashion industry? “Yes and no,” he says. “I’ve not turned my back on it, and I’m still working on a few consultancy and fashion projects, but it’s been really nice to have a break. As an industry, it’s all encompassing and the pace at which you’re working is insane, and you don’t realise it’s abnormal until you step back.”
“I’m having to put a lid on myself and make sure I’m not giving too much and recreating that same unattainable pace, because it’s almost like I’m preconditioned to work in that way,” Henry reflects.
A self-confessed shopaholic, Henry admits it’s wonderful to go to the menswear department and not to be