Photo: Hannah Moon
Nina Ricci has appointed 26-year-old British-American designer Harris Reed, known for her genderless identity and creations, as creative director. The designer’s first collection for Puig’s fashion and perfume brand will debut in early 2023.
I’m honored to join Nina Ricci with her treasure chest full of observation, history and power ready to be discovered. I am really excited to challenge what femininity means in fashion and beauty in such an iconic home.”
This development follows the departure of previous art directors Lisi Herrebrugh and Rushemy Botter in January. Known for their Caribbean-inspired color palettes and crow’s feet patterns, the Dutch duo were appointed shortly after winning the Première Vision Grand Prize at the Hyères International Fashion and Photography Festival in 2018, and were also finalists for the LVMH Award.
Reed is a rising star of London, who describes the DNA of her eponymous demi-couture brand as “romance is no longer gendered”. By the time she graduated from Central Saint Martins in spring 2020, she had already caught the attention of singer Harry Styles and Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele. Reed presented the Spring/Summer 2023 collection during London Fashion Week last week. Also, the romance overlaps with Nina Ricci’s legacy. Founded in Paris in 1932, the company became known for its feminine, fitted, lingerie-like dresses. Spanish perfume and cosmetics giant Puig bought the brand in 1998.
Reed joins Nina Ricci earlier this year, replacing Charlotte Tasset, who is now CEO of French womenswear label Maje. and will work closely with fragrance general manager Edwin Bodson. Bodson was previously chief commercial director at JW Anderson. “I’m excited to be a part of this new era and welcome Harris to be Nina Ricci’s new creative director,” said Bodson. As a designer who rejects norms in pursuit of freedom, Harris’ unique vision of femininity will extend to Nina Ricci.”
Essential brands rely on young design talents to engage with the Gen Z consumer. This year, Ferragamo appointed Maximilian Davis, 26, as creative director. Canadian designer Nathalie Gervais has worked to start a number of creative ready-to-wear businesses in the past, including Swedish designer Lars Nilsson, Belgian designer Olivier Theyskens, British designer Peter Copping, Guillaume Henry of Carven, and most recently Herrebrugh and Rushemy Botter. Reed is also gaining experience in home fragrances by launching his own perfume.
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