Henry Holland is a fashion designer, businessman, creative and founder of the ceramics and homeware brand, Henry Holland Studio.
Originally from Ramsbottom in Greater Manchester, Henry studied at the London College of Printing and worked as both a stylist, and fashion editor for teen magazines including Sneak, Smash Hits and Bliss before pursuing a career in design.
Applauded for his “creativity and innovative creations in textiles”, Holland first rose to prominence back in 2006 when his Fashion Groupies T-shirt designs caught the attention of industry execs. Emblazoned with bold, rhyming slogans and catchphrases like “I’ll Tell You Who’s Boss Kate Moss” and “Get Your Freak on Giles Deacon”, the success of the shirts would lead Henry to found his own label House of Holland.
Launched in 2008, pieces from the brands collections were rapidly stocked by Harrods, Barneys in New York, Urban Outfitters, and other retail stores, and worn by celebrities including Lindsay Lohan, Lily Allen, and Jaime Winstone, as well as Holland’s childhood friend, Agyness Deyn. Throughout the course of a decade, House of Holland would go on to dominate the London fashion scene, collaborate with famous brands like Levi Strauss & Co for a denim collection and REVOLVE Clothing for a wedding dress line, and even launch a successful e-commerce site.
With the launch of Henry Holland Studio in 2021, Henry explores his love of pottery to launch homeware collection of handcrafted ceramics.
Inspired by the Nerikomi technique – stacking coloured earthenware clay before slicing through it to reveal striking patterns – the designer practiced the art of hand moulding pieces at his kitchen table during the pandemic before developing a collection with his Hackney-based studio team. The result is unique, decorative vases and dinnerware in that mark a union of “ancient tradition and contemporary vision”.
“It is a privilege to design beautiful things that people are willing to live with.” Holland says of his latest work. “To contribute to someone’s personal environment in this way, to be treasured, and to build treasured things, that’s the kind of connection we are all looking for.”
We caught up with Henry Holland for the latest edition of our ‘My London’ interview series.
Favourite neighbourhood:
I’d have to say Victoria Park in Hackney where I’ve lived for almost a decade. It’s got everything you need and has a really lovely community vibe.
Favourite place for brunch:
Ozone in Bethnal Green. Good eggs, and a great pit stop on the way to Columbia Road Flower Market.
Best coffee in London:
Balcony on Lauriston Road. Anywhere that knows my order without me having to ask is a winner in my book… and they know their coffee too!
Favourite gallery or museum:
The V&A will always be my favourite. I find the curation of the fashion exhibits mesmerising, and the ceramic rooms up on the 4th floor are an endless source of inspiration for my new vocation!
Tell us a secret:
I’m obsessed with Wordle.
Favourite place to shop:
Liberty in central London. I love the architecture and structure of the old building as much as I love the things they stock in there! It feels like the Londoners department store.
Favourite place to find inspiration:
Walking the streets. The collective energy in London of the people, and the culture, is always an endless source of inspiration to me and my work.
Best London destination for a date:
J Sheekey in Covent Garden. It’s where my husband and I went on our first date, and where we still go for all special occasions 12 years later!
Favourite park:
Victoria Park of course! I walk my dog in there every day, and it’s really beautiful. I love how well the parks in London area utilised. Growing up in the the north of England, where more people tend to have their own garden, the parks are often underused and abandoned, but London parks are always a hive of activity.
Favourite food market:
Broadway market. It has the best selection of stalls, and there’s always loads to see.
Your sanctuary in the city:
My home. I think the pandemic really highlighted to us all, especially Londoners, the importance of our homes being a sanctuary away from the noise of everyday life, and not just a place we go to sleep every night!
What inspires you?
I’d say people and their stories – that’s what I’ve always tried to explore in my creative work, because I think that’s how people connect to the product you’re selling, because they understand the thought behind it.
This season I’m loving…
Colour! Not that I don’t normally, but I’m really enjoying the transformative power of colour and the way people are really embracing it in both fashion, and homeware at the moment.
