Sam Smith’s inflatable latex suit was the talk of the red carpet at this year’s Brit Awards.
It’s designed by Harri who got the call to supply a red carpet lewk for Smith just five days before the award ceremony! Harri told the BBC,
They [Smith] reached out to me on Monday, asking if I could create something custom-made for the Brits.
was a bit scared because it’s not enough time.
It usually takes four to five weeks because it’s all handmade. It took me a day to think about the logistics of everything. So I gave confirmation on Wednesday that I could make this work and we finished it an hour before the red carpet!“
Harri –whose full name is Harikrishnan Keezhathil Surendran Pillai– has an upcoming fashion show during London Fashion Week.
I’m still working out the collection. I had to hold everything for one week to do Sam’s outfit.
But I’m very, very happy. I’m used to the work schedule.“
So, how did the Smith hear about Harri?
They came across my pieces in Perfect magazine in November.”
Harri’s inflatable couture was first revealed during an MA show at London College of Fashion in 2019. His MA graduate collection attracted a lot of attention and he was asked to join the British Fashion Council‘s Newgen scheme that wAs created to
to help young designers showcase until we can do it on our own”.
Bowie did it first, always decades ahead#samsmith #davidbowie #britawards2023 pic.twitter.com/JMYBLmZLrU
— David Bowie News (@davidbowie_news) February 11, 2023
Now his designs have gone viral. Some made comparison’s with one of David Bowie‘s iconic ensembles, but Harri says,
The idea about creating a silhouette came from my dog. He’s a small dog – it was the thought of seeing me from his angle [on the ground looking up].
The reaction to the look has been mixed but Harri says he doesn’t take any kind criticism to heart.
It doesn’t bother me, no. I’m used to it because my graduate collection had a similar reaction.
I’m passionate about making something that makes people think and talk and discuss…”
Harri, surprisingly says he has a second job as a latex farmer. A WHAT now?
I have a small plantation back in my home town. Me and my dad do the latex farming. The raw material, we export it here and it becomes latex. It’s used for so many things.
The place where I come from is a very small village and you don’t see clothing as a statement [there]. You just wear it for practical reasons.”
Harri says his father was into “drawing and sketching” when he was young, which exposed him to art
and visualisation. [fashion] was an escape.”
(Photo, Harri; via BBC)
