BOTH SIDES NOW

Celebrated for his fantastical, genderfluid fashions, designer Harris Reed brings the same rule-flouting approach to a petite London apartment

- BUSOLA EVANS

Unapologetic

It is a word that crops up frequently when trailblazing fashion designer Harris Reed discusses his work and life. Described as the face of fluid fashion-indeed, his book published by Abrams earlier this year is titled Fluid: A Fashion RevolutionReed and his theatrical creations may be beautiful but are much more than that. They also challenge notions of gender and spark conversations about identity and belonging. Cutting a striking figure at six feet four inches, with flowing, red-hued locks, Reed famously outfitted Harry Styles in his part-tuxedo, part-duchesse-satin ball gown ensemble in 2020 for the cover of Vogue, at just 24 years old. He has also dressed many other stars, including Adele, Iman, Sam Smith, Lil Nas X, and Beyoncé, in his glamorous creations. With such precocious talent, it is little wonder Reed was appointed creative director of French fashion house Nina Ricci two years ago.

He has extended his extravagant and yes, unapologetic approach to his home, turning the west London abode he shares with husband Eitan Senerman, founder of a design and innovation lab, into what Reed describes as a "Wes Andersonmeets-Oscar Wilde" fantasyland with a dose of English eccentricity.

A moody medley of opulent lighting, embroidered silk walls, marble floors, and embellished ceilings, the apartmenta mere 750 square feet-more than makes up for its bijou size but with eye-popping impact. "When we bought it, Eitan was like, 'Promise we'll be a bit Scandinavian, a bit minimal," Reed says with a laugh. Thankfully Senerman was quick to get on board with a more experimental approach. "It was very much about a visual exploration of individuality and not boxing ourselves into any notion of what is expected," Reed adds.