WHAT GOES ON IN A DESIGN STUDIO.

A recent family roadtrip to Melbourne had everyone doing one thing each they ‘really’ wanted to do…except me. I was content to go with the flow and just relax. About two hours outside of Melbourne I piped up and asked my mister if he would mind dropping me somewhere after we checked into our hotel.

I wanted to do something for me… to pop over to Harlow and catch up with Kerry. There I  ‘really’ did want to do something.

We got in a little later than expected so quickly checked in to the hotel then piled back into the car (and air conditioning) and set the gps for Brunswick where Harlow HQ is located. The boys dropped me off and went in search of something refreshing to drink, it was almost 40 degrees and we’d been on the road for 10 hours. Thankfully Kerry had water and a cup of tea for me, I was parched, red faced and a dishevelled mess from the travelling.

So what goes on in a designers studio? What do they really look like?

Well the studio looks like a workplace…but with very cool clothes. There’s notes, phones, a computer, orders packed ready to go, scissors, samples, sketches, plants and a few candles…for calm or maybe inspiration or both. There’s a coffee machine, icy poles, cold water (thank you) and tea.

Then there’s the team behind Harlow…Kerry and Angelo.

Harlow isn’t a huge, flashy international mass produced label, nuh uh. It’s the passion of husband and wife team Kerry and Angelo…a dream come true. A local label, designed, cut and made locally. It’s a small business with big dreams.

They dream of dressing women, helping women to find their inner edgy sista. They dream of helping women find their funky diva. They dream of helping curvy women embrace their curvy body. They dream of seeing their label on women and in stores.

It’s hard slog owning a small business but if you believe in your dream you keep going. Kerry is turning out some fabulous designs and going from strength to strength…upping the ante with each collection.

Some of the pieces were just truly stunning and the pics on the website didn’t do them justice. Seeing the detail close up of the  ‘where the wild things grow’ dress an the ‘crave’ dress, well the are spectacular. While Kerry is the creative force constantly bringing to life her fab designs Angelo is the force behind the website and controller of finances….hey, someone’s gotta do it.

I’m kicking myself I didn’t try on the new denim jeans…it was just so freakin hot that jeans weren’t on my mind. I’m a lucky girl though because Kerry gave me the Harem Scarem pants which are a lovely textured viscose (so they are light n cool) with a slimline tapered leg and feature ruching at they ankle. Oh they also have a flat waistband at the front and…pockets…winners!

I was also lucky enough to take home a tee and this great skirt. I’m a fan of a stretchy straight tube skirt because even though I carry a lot of weight in my tummy my legs are fairly decent so I can disguise a lot with a straight skirt and a looser top. It’s a look that makes me look taller and leaner than I really am 🙂 This skirt is striped which never goes outa style but also has solid black panels that you can experiment with, have them front on, at the sides or off centre. The stripes are a slightly raised, kinda ruffled texture which sets it apart from regular stripe skirts. I know I’m going to flog this skirt ALL year round. Both the pant and skirt have already debuted in Melbourne….very handy!

I’m so pleased I got to catch up with Kerry and Angelo, I had met them both before at a fundraiser we were involved in but to see them in their studio was an insight into them personally and professionally. When you purchase from Harlow you know you’re getting quality Aussie made pieces and you’re keeping a dream alive for two of the loveliest people in the biz.

Til next time,

Jen x

Items gifted to Styling Curvy spur of the moment with no expectations… I was already intending to write this article 🙂