Founded in 2015 in Manila, Harlan + Holden is a fashion brand with retail stores spread across, Indonesia and the Philippines. At the brand's core is a singular mission: to save people time for things that matter.
Harlan + Holden mission manifests itself in every product they create, from clothes to coffee. With each collection, the brand offers clothes that solve, rather than adorn. Every piece is designed to offer solutions to the client where comfort and ease are paramount.
In 2020 Alessandra Facchinetti has been appointed as Harlan + Holden first Creative Director.
I am currently part of the design team as junior fashion designer, working on the main womenswear collection, accessories and the secondary lines.
research
MOODBOARD RESEARCH
visual narrative/
color palette/
The initial stage when approaching a new collection is dedicated to a deep message-focus research: working on defining the visual narrative of the upcoming season, from the message to the colors and textures.
The main bulk of research is done on photography, art, design and architecture. Trying to narrate the brand's identity in the ever-changing everyday life context.
PRODUCT RESEARCH
competitors research/
merchandising outline/
Alongside establishing the visual direction of the collection, the research is also an important step towards defining the product and the actual new design elements that the new season will feature.
These design-focused inputs are included into the season mood board to guide the following developing process of the collection. Additionally a deep research on competitors offer can help tune the overall merchandising direction.
COLOR/FABRICS
color palette/
material research/
As the research is consolidated, we can start to define the color palette of the season. Sorting out and tuning the tones from the mood board we can define the color stories of the season.
Before approaching the development of the collection, and based on the direction of the mood board, we delineate new material aspects to be included in the new collection and fan-out these characteristics to suppliers in order to receive their material research.
collection development
SKETCHES
hand-drawn draft/
digitalising/
The sketching initiates the collection development process, starting from the research of new volumes, silhouettes and details highlighted in the collection mood board.
The first draft of sketches goes through various steps of editing and selection to improve the designs with the team's and creative director inputs.
TECH-FLATS
Ai Adobe/
technical flat drawing/
The following step consists into moving the approved designs to the technical flat drawing phase. Here we can illustrate the design more thoroughly and communicate with the suppliers on a technical level.
FITTING SESSIONS
supplier sampling/
pattern edit/
Once the suppliers have developed the samples based on our tech specs we can arrange for a fitting session and proceed with seeing the collection and give our feedback on how to move along with the pattern development.
We have the opportunity to fly to Honk Kong to have the fitting sessions there, ensuring the design team has a direct and clear communication with the pattern makers and suppliers that are based there.
accessories design
DESIGN
hand-drawn draft/
tech flats/
As support to the collection I had the opportunity to work on a line of canvas bags, ranging from more casual totes to office bags.
I was able to work on the project from the initial sketching to the development of technical drawings and the final approved sample. In some cases we worked with placed prints on the accessories.
collection launch
EDITORIAL & E-COMM SHOOTING
collection stying/
production support/
The last and final step is the collection launch. During this process, with the support of a stylist, we define the collection by looks, which will be featured in the editorial and e-comm shooting.
Consequently the models are cast and the shooting production takes place with our overview. The images and videos will support the collection launch on social platforms, website and in-store image.
Finally, through the creative director, we give the initial VM display guideline, following the collection looks and color stories to be applied to the different stores.
