The fashion designer turned his hand to ceramics during lockdown and launched a collection under new venture Henry Holland Studio. Here, he gives us the lowdown...
Had you dabbled in ceramics before?
It was something that I had wanted to try for a long time, but it wasn’t until I left House of Holland that I had time to have lessons. It became a therapeutic outlet that replaced my work in fashion and I quickly fell in love with the process. I can be working on building pots for hours and not even think about my inbox.
Do you make the ceramics yourself ?
For the first few months I was making every piece, but then we took on some hefty orders and I had to build a team. They’re amazing – I’m working with people who are much more experienced than me in clay, but that’s what excites me. I’m learning on the job again every single day.
Tell us about the ‘nerikomi’ technique you use...
When I was no longer able to go to the studio where I’d been having lessons due to lockdown, I ordered some clays and started building pieces in my kitchen. I created patterns with glazes but wasn’t that thrilled with the results, so I tried working in coloured clay as an alternative. It was researching on YouTube that led me to the ‘nerikomi’ technique – I love the organic patterns the marbling creates.
The collection is more tonal than people might expect, looking at your fashion designs from the past. Was that deliberate?
Absolutely, yes. I was keen to create an aesthetic that felt like me now and not me when I started House of Holland at 23. I wanted something that I would have in my home and that is much more tonal than any of my fashion collections. I feel that I’ve found a nice happy medium between incorporating colour and print so that it reflects my style, but is an evolution of what I’ve done before.
What’s next for Henry Holland Studio?
I have a couple of projects launching later this year, including one with rug company Floor_Story, and we’re moving into a new studio space. henryhollandstudio.com
