We're in an age where the trend cycle is shorter than ever. The turnover of "it" pieces can be as fast and hectic as an arcade, thanks to the curated parades of Instagram and TikTok. Busy microtrends, (patchwork, checkerboard prints, '70s halter tops, etc.,) are definitely fun to dive into, but, given the speed at which fads fall through, having a closet full of hyperpieces and niche garments is comparable to standing on quicksand.
This is the backdrop against which Harlan + Holden emerges. The relatively new Filipino-founded brand is a hub for garments that are minimal, thoughtfully constructed, and engineered to withstand quickshifting trends and occasions. Just today, July 22, they launched their newest collection, Harlan 02, which is the exact embodiment of that principle.
Their Creative Director, celebrated Italian designer Alessandra Facchinetti, articulated the heart of the brand quite well during an exclusive interview with Preview. "We're building something that is a little bit more on track in terms of construction, details, functionality, and you really create a uniform [from it]," she said. "We are not focused on hero pieces, but we are focused on the right pieces we can really dress [ourselves in] all week. We have a strong point of view on versatility, comfort, and on top of that, we are focused on the delivery of pieces that you can wear differently."
If there's anyone qualified to talk about distilling design into something foundationally elegant, functional, and aesthetically pure, it's Alessandra Facchinetti. The seasoned designer has decades-long experience working with esteemed luxury houses such as Valentino, Miu Miu, Tod's, and Gucci. She now helms Harlan + Holden, which was founded by Filipino fashion entrepreneur Emmanuel Pineda in 2015. From designing for western ateliers with easily distinguishable aesthetics, she now spends her time designing "basic" clothes with a proud commitment to comfort and ease.
"The real big inspiration comes from our [lives]," she said, describing the new collection. "Our moments, the way we live—I'm so focused on it.
"Definitely it's basic, but at the same time there is a twist that comes from probably experience, and I want try to translate it into something we'd love to wear and buy," she said.
This is her first foray into the Asian market, which she considers a challenge that she welcomes with open arms. Her love for travelling inspired her to tap into intertextual designs, which are reflected her designs for Harlan 02. The clothes reflect typically Asian design sensibilities: sculpturally loose silhouettes, boxy cuts, hushed colors. Alessandra called it "lifestyle clothing."
"It's very fresh and easy to wear, and that's the point. Talking about the proportions, there are very different items, but at the same time, they are very easy to mix. This is something I take care of a lot. It's not about having one silhouette of the season, but it's focused on the right pieces, that, even if they are different from each other, you can easily wear them all throughout the week," she said.
"It's not about [making] a seasonal project. It's about [making] a trans-seasonal project that goes through different parts of the world with different needs. This is something very contemporary," she added.
In a highly curated and overperformative world, intelligently simple designs are often overlooked, which is a shame. Every wardrobe needs balanced silhouettes that will never go out of style, or, in Alessandra's words, "basics that we will never grow tired of", and this is exactly what the new Harlan 02 collection provides.
Here are all the items from Harlan + Holden's Harlan 02 Collection:
Spliced round top, P3950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Relaxed pique polo, P3950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Mock blouson top, P4950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Scoop gather top, P1950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Strap fluid top, P1950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Pleat blouson top, P3950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Puff sleeves top, P3950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Boxy extended tee, P1950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Extended gather top, P2950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Notch bib top, P2950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Light drill pants, P4950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Light boxy top, P3950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Fluid a-line dress, P2950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Back blouson shirtdress, P3950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Dolman notch dress, P4950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Extended pleat dress, P4950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Round sleeve dress, P4950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
One step a-line dress, P4950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Tee panel dress, P2950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Yoke cuts dress, P3950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Raglan boxy jacket, P5950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Asymmetric slit skirt, P3950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Bell jersey skirt, P3950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Relaxed cigarette pants, P3950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Light drill pants, P4950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Skinny cigarette pants, P2950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Wide cotton shorts, P2450, HARLAN + HOLDEN
Crop drill pants, P2950, HARLAN + HOLDEN
You may shop the Harlan 02 collection on the Harlan + Holden website.
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