Designer Interview. Hayden-Harnett Is Out of the Bag and Into Apparel. Second City Style Fashion Blog

Don't worry, Hayden-Harnett is still in the bag business...however, they have added women's ready-to-wear apparel to their marketing mix for spring. Never mind that they just opened their new retail store in Brooklyn this past weekend.

I first met Toni Hacker last year when she participated in our event '7th in Chicago.' The handbags were flying off the shelves. Now they are returning this weekend for a similar event 'Cheap Thrills: First Annual Spring Warehouse Sale' (glad it's others hosting this and not us!) this Saturday in Chicago from 10:00 am-6:00 p.m. at The Around the Coyote Gallery located at Flat Iron Arts Building 935 1/2 West North Ave.

I spoke with Toni Monday about Hayden-Harnett's current state of dizzying affairs.

SCS: Besides the new store and apparel line, what else is new or on the burner?
TH: Well our official store grand opening is April 14th in Brooklyn. We are finishing up our fall apparel line, adding belts and scarves and continuing another season collaborating for our Paule Marrot collection of bags.

SCS: I had an opportunity to visit your showroom when I was in NYC a few weeks ago and was really impressed by your clothing line. I loved the dresses, trenches and leather jackets. I can't wait to see the finished fall line. How's that going?
TH: The apparel line has been very well received. Sonia Agostino is our head designer and we work together on inspiration and editing.

HH Yvonne Buttondown Parka

SCS: What is the focus of the line?
TH: Outerwear and dresses for sure. The items that incorporate our leather (as trim) in the apparel do exceptionally well. Our style for spring is a bit MOD and the cuts are dead-on. In our minds, the clothes have to function on a daily basis for city living. They must also work with the other clothes in your closet. We see our apparel customer as a woman who is creative, active, super-busy and ready to go at a moment's notice. She doesn't have time to go home and change after work to head out for dinner. Her clothes have to take her from work to an evening out. We are not into disposable fashion. Our pieces are more classic and the styles should last for years without looking dated.

SCS: So what exposure has the apparel been getting? How is it being received?
TH: We have been getting a lot of requests from magazines for shoots and from celebrities. Lucky March 2007 did an amazing illustration on one of our bags, Elle March 2007 focused on our best-selling  Alfie dress. We have had requests by the Factory Girl herself, Sienna Miller, Bryce Dallas Howard wore the Alfie dress to a movie premier, Kate Hudson also has some pieces and Kristen Bell is a fan of the Sofia dress and our Malinka hobo bag.

Lucky March 2007

SCS: Wow. It sounds like things are really happening for you in just two years!
TH: I know, we are really lucky and thrilled.

SCS: So, here is the dirt Chicago women want...what are you bringing to Chicago for Saturday and what discounts can we see? Any clothes?
TH: Ha! Of course that's what you want to know. We will have canvas and leather bags, items from our spring apparel line and some of our new belts. Shoppers can expect 20-70% off retail. 10% of the proceeds will benefit Around the Coyote gallery  and any unsold items will be donated to Bottomless Closet.

For more information or to purchase bags and apparel (should you not live in Chicago) visit HaydenHarnett.com

- Lauren Dimet

   

Comments

[franki durbin]

I love that the clothes are designed with the rest of your wardrobe in mind. It seeme most lines want you to clear out your closet and start over, just to fit the new "looks" into the mix. It shows in the collection that you've taken the woman into consideration. I'm crazy about the jackets! :)