Henry Holland is a master of reinvention. Rising to fame as Creative Director of his eponymously named fashion label House of Holland, he spent 13 years as a regular London Fashion Week fixture with his bold designs and cult slogan T-shirts - "I’ll Tell You Who’s Boss Kate Moss", “Do me daily Christopher Bailey” - before exchanging his fabric scissors for a ball of clay.
With his colourful pattern play and distinctive designs, his homewares brand Henry Holland Studio has fast become the toast of the interiors scene. We grabbed a cup of tea with Henry (naturally in a swirly mug) to get the lowdown on the new creative path he’s moulded for himself as a ceramicist and product designer.
How did the pivot from fashion designer to ceramicist come about?
HH: I started taking ceramics lessons at my local pottery studio in Hackney. Initially I’d only intended it to be a creative pastime, but I quickly fell in love with the calming process of working with clay and enjoyed the slower pace it offered compared to the fast world of fashion.
When lockdown hit and my local pottery studio closed, and with no pottery wheel at home, I took to hand building clays at my kitchen table. In my early trials I’d experimented using hand painted glazes, but these gave painterly, watercolour like finishes that didn’t really reflect my own style. Several YouTube sessions later, I came across the Japanese ceramic process of Nerikomi - a technique that involves the slow method of stacking, folding and rolling differently brightly coloured clays into slabs, which are then cut and hand-moulded into different forms - and I was hooked.
Unlike the glazes, with Nerikomi you can achieve a graphic look, which was more akin to how I’d worked designing and printing fabrics. It also allowed me to create both quite structured and unstructured patterns, which I was really drawn to experimenting with.
HENRY HOLLAND STUDIO X SOHO HOME
When did you decide to take the plunge and launch Henry Holland Studio?
HH: My debut collection of ceramics launched on Instagram in April 2021. I really didn’t know what to expect, but to my astonishment the whole collection went on to sell out online within 48 hours. Shortly after it was picked up by Liberty London, launching in their store in May the same year.
I’ve evolved the collection from the original waves to encompass new patterns, such as the checkerboard and a reclaimed clay collection, as well as introducing new products, including lighting, textiles and, most recently, glassware.
I’ve always enjoyed creative collaboration, and have had the opportunity to work with incredible brands and designers in the last two years, including with interior designer Sophie Ashby, fashion designer Paul Smith, Soho Home and - freshly brewed! - a partnership with cult London coffee brand, Grind.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
HH: My creative journey has been profoundly shaped by the influence of my mother. Her impeccable sense of style and unwavering support for my artistic endeavours were always a driving force throughout my fashion career, and my journey into interiors and ceramics also bears her influence.
Losing her just over a year ago was an immensely challenging experience. For me, happiness and joy have always been the fertile ground for my creative ideas to blossom, and I had to work hard to move from a place of sadness to reconnect with my creativity.
The people in my life - my friends, family, and especially my husband - also play a pivotal role in sparking my creativity. I have an innate love for storytelling and creating narratives through my art, which was a significant draw for me in the world of fashion. This is also something I strive to do with my ceramics and homeware. I want my creations to have strong characters and be able to tell their own stories.
How would you describe your style?
HH: For me, style is incredibly personal. Through clothing and my living space, I’ve always found a powerful means of self-expression. I would describe my aesthetic as bold and playful (though some might say it’s verging on brash!).
When it comes to creating my style, I rely on a pure instinctual response, following what feels right to me in the moment. Trusting my gut has been a guiding principle throughout my career, leading to authentic and genuine expressions of myself through my creative work.
Who are your creative heroes?
HH: There are countless creative individuals whom I deeply admire. Having experienced the challenges of being a creative myself, I appreciate the immense dedication and heart poured into every project. One person who stands out to me is the artist and stage designer Es Devlin, with her remarkable spacial designs and sets that never fail to inspire.
In the world of ceramics, I have great admiration for John Booth's work. His use of colour is so joyful. I’m even lucky enough to have some of his ceramic pieces at home. I’m a huge fan of the humour in Alma Berrow's works, and Christal Macgreevey's artistry has also held my fascination for a long time.
HENRY HOLLAND STUDIO X GRIND
What’s your most treasured possession?
HH: I collect Richard Burnstein's Interview magazine covers from the 70s and 80s. His illustrations and style captivate me, and each cover holds a special place in pop culture history. A true treasure in my collection is a cover featuring Debbie Harry, signed by both Andy Warhol and Truman Capote.
The best advice you've ever been given, and who gave it to you?
HH: Be yourself. My mum instilled in me that being who you really are with authenticity is your superpower.
Best city in the world?
HH: LONDON and I’m not just saying it. I have been lucky enough to travel around the world with my job and I can truly say that London is the most vibrant, creative and inspiring city in the world. The diversity in cultures and the energy is unbeaten anywhere.
Career highlight to date?
HH: Not a huge fan of looking back as I still have so many goals I want to achieve. But I still find it hard to not get goosebumps when I look back at some of my first fashion shows.
What’s next?
HH: I have a number of exciting product collaborations in the pipeline, so watch this space!
