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A boutique British fashion label by Henry Holland

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House of Holland: From Market Stall to Having it all

Henry Holland graduated from the London College of Printing with a BA in Journalism. When Holland began working as a journalist for teen magazines, it is unlikely he would have dreamed that just a few years later, he would be one of the shining stars of British fashion. The House of Holland label attracts celebrity fans such as Alexa Chung, Naomi Campbell, Beth Ditto, Sienna Miller, Pixie Geldof and rising music megastar Jessie J.

It all changed for Henry Holland in 2006. He was working on teen magazine bliss when he produced a range of slogan T shirts for London Fashion Week. The ‘Fashion Groupies’ tees with slogans such as “I’ll show you who’s boss, Kate Moss”,  were the hit of fashion week. Henry’s future in fashion was assured.

• 2006: Henry Holland showcases his statement slogan tees at London fashion week. With the cheeky slogans and vibrant colours – they are an instant hit and snapped up to be sold on London’s trendy Dover Street Market.
• 2008 (February): House of Holland launches its debut solo collection, ‘Passio Factioni’ at London fashion week, supported by New Gen sponsorship from Topshop. In July of the same year, the boutique label wins an award for the ‘Best Use of Tartan’ for the same collection at the Scottish fashion awards.
• 2008 (September): House of Holland collaboration with global denim giant Levis Strauss to produce 6 different pairs of the classic 501 jeans. The unique collaboration was launched at the famous Selfridges, London. Each pair had the funky aesthetic that Henry and the House of Holland became known for.
• 2009 (June): Hosiery collaboration with Pretty Polly Launches
• 2010: H! by Henry Holland range released in Debenhams stores.
• 2010 (Late): House of Holland, launched the innovative Blackberry app, which allows items from the latest collections to be bought straight from the runway.
• 2011: House of Holland regularly features in prestigious fashion magazines including British Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and Dazed. The collection sells in premium international stockists including: Selfridges on London’s Oxford St, Harvey Nichols in London’s Knightsbridge, Colette in France, Opening Ceremony and Barneys – both of the US. A full list of stockists is available on the House of Holland website.

House of Holland Inspirations

Behind every great man, they say there is an even greater woman. Henry’s inspiration includes three important female figures in his life: his mum, aunt and grandmother; three glamorous northern women, who always encouraged him in his artistic ambitions. His aunt had a face-lift, his grandmother wore matching trouser suits until the day she died and his mum would never answer her door without her earrings and lipstick on. Their non-stop glamour and support inspired him to become the fashion superstar he is today.

London Girl: The House of Holland Aesthetic

Although a northern boy, Henry uses influences from various cultures and attitudes on the streets of London. The House of Holland girl is cool, confident and savvy and she wears her clothes – they certainly don’t wear her. Each collection is full of bright colours, bold prints and slogan tees – always with a hint of tongue and cheek humour which certainly appeals to the younger fashion loving women.

House of Holland uses the same tongue and cheek attitude seen in their clothing ranges, to market campaigns and catwalk shows. It is a brand that is made to stand out to fans of fashion.

For the 2011 ‘bingo-themed’ Autumn/Winter 2011 collection, House of Holland produced a humour-filled video starring Henry himself and models Pixie Geldof and Dree Hemingway. The catwalk show had the same sense of fun and irony. Although a laugh, the innovative House of Holland label is also about business – with the Blackberry application allowing users to purchase the clothes straight from the catwalk, months before they are available to the general public.

Charity Begins at Home: Charitable acts by House of Holland

Henry is a keen giver to charity, organising a March 2011 auction to raise money in aid of Cancer Research UK. The designer got his friends from the fashion industry together to donate some must-have items during a special charity event. Fashion designer Christopher Kane donated a dress from his SS07 collection, and British Vogue Editor, Alexandra Shulman, donated a signed copy of the very first Vogue for the UK. For the event, top model Kate Moss created bright pink Longchamp bags. Henry Holland offers a personal shopping day with himself, including high tea and customizing your own groupie T-shirt in the House of Holland Studio. All profits will be donated to the Cancer Research UK. Additionally in 2009, Henry customised Mickey Mouse ears, along with other designers, for a charity auction in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The Future of House of Holland

It has been an extremely eventful few years since House of Holland launched its first collection. The label has collaborated with an array of brands, more than most fashion houses could dare to dream about. Even chewing-gum giant Wrigleys, jumped on the House of Holland bandwagon, with customised packaging on Wrigleys Extra in 2009. So it seems like the future is limitless for a brand that has achieved such a meteoric rise in such a short time. Maybe the man behind the brand can explain it better himself.

“I don’t have a five-year plan. Or I didn’t. I mean now I have a five-year plan: I’m going to take over the world.”

Henry Holland

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