Harris Reed Celebrates the Art and Drama of Getting Dressed

Harris Reed declares "all the world's a stage" in latest collection.

If all the world's a stage, then Harris Reed is the director.

In the namesake brand's latest collection, the designer touches on all the elements of theatre that inspire the process of dressing up: flipped skirts, slightly misplaced corsetry and other embodiments of the halfway-ready appearance of someone getting dressed for the day, Reed embraces that reality we often consider frivolous and showcases it with peak opulence.

For the first look, none other than modern theatrical royalty Florence Pugh models an oversized circular headpiece and matching gown in a neatly-sequined harlequin pattern and with a black velvet corset that creates an exaggerated hourglass shape. The dress features floor-length slit sleeves that melt into the skirt, creating an almost romantic cape effect.

The harlequin diamond pattern has a long history of representing the contrast between humor and sadness, particularly on a stage. Having Pugh — one of Hollywood's most favored actors of the moment — open the show acknowledges the similarities between the art of acting and the art of clothing, and clears the path for a distinctive understanding of the collection.

Black velvet, a fabric reminiscent of literal theaters, plays a large role throughout. To build off of that association, Reed accompanies the richness of the material with gold lamé draped expertly around the models and made from entirely repurposed from old theatre curtains. This element is particularly magical in Look 9, where a glowing model is cloaked by seemingly classic black tulle — but, upon further observation, you can see gold flecks cascading up the front hems of the veil, creating a captivating illusion of a fairy dust-like aura.

Reed also continues to explore shapes seen in past collections, like how a model is cocooned by a petal-like form that ultimately transforms into another floor-length dress upon reaching the hip.

Reed's perception of the drama of getting dressed is a visual masterpiece. "These moments frozen in time expose a beauty in finding new shapes and parts of the body to reveal, seeing sensuality through different angles," the show notes read. By exploring shapes beyond what the body naturally allows for and celebrating an everyday process that most would consider trivial, Reed is giving everyone permission to enjoy the potential of the little things, all through the lens of the biggest thing: a stage.

See the full collection below.

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