Visit Fashion Designer Harris Reed’s Extravagant London Apartment (original) (raw)

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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 Revolution—Reed 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.

Fashion designer Harris Reed wearing an Olivia von Halle robe in the garden behind his london flat.

Art: Makeup by Joey Choy.

Reed (seated) and his husband, Eitan Senerman, in the garden, which was designed in collaboration with Lisa Simone Collins.

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 Anderson–meets–Oscar Wilde” fantasyland with a dose of English eccentricity. A moody medley of opulent lighting, embroidered silk­ walls, marble floors, and embellished ceilings, the apartment—a 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 onboard 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.

Il Viaggio Di Nettuno Dessert Plate by Luke Edward Hall

Helle Mardahl Bon Bon Mega Vase

Easton Dining Chair

Giancarclo Valle x Nordic Knots Loops Rug

The couple had been renting but, after an overzealous rental hike, calculated they were better off investing in a home of their own (“The only prerequisite was that it had some green space,” says Senerman). Reed spotted the raised ground-floor apartment for sale within a stucco-fronted building on a neighboring street. “When my husband viewed it, he was like, ‘No, I don’t think this is for us.’ ” In fairness, Senerman had a point. The property required full refurbishment, and the outdoor space, while generous, was wildly overgrown and housed a pungent swamp infested with mosquitoes. And yet, Reed couldn’t stop thinking about it.

“It was very dark, very gray, very white—but all the gray, and even the really bad fixtures, got me excited,” Reed admits. “It was like my favorite bit of creating a collection, which is the toile process. Everything is in a creamy canvas material and not very inspiring to most, but it’s all about the architecture, shape, and silhouette.”

A painting by Rolankay hangs in the reception room.

Art: Rolankay/Isabel Croxatto Galería

Pooky Twinky Cordless Wall Sconce

Wackie Dot Glass by Nina Campbell

Cleo Chandelier By Bottega Veneziana

Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini

After acquiring the property in October 2023, Reed enlisted the help of his godfather, Harry Harris of 4Corners Design, who introduced him to Georgina Wood, the founder and creative director of London-based interior practice Studio Clementine. “Georgina was great about putting up with my crazy ideas but also being realistic with budget,” says Reed. “She was very good at understanding how to make small spaces seem bigger—it was a very easy connection.” For Wood, this was a dream boundary-pushing project. “I love color and knew Harris was going to be so creative. No idea was too crazy or outlandish—he was open to anything.”

Taking cues from Reed’s ethereal designs, Wood felt luxury wall-covering specialist Fromental would be an ideal collaborator. The sitting room walls were clad in a soft green silk base and hand-stitched birch trees, based on Reed’s request for the room to be “an extension of nature,” while the ceiling wallpaper was inspired by intricate feathers. “It came from being a queer kid dreaming in class and always looking up at and imagining things,” says Reed. In the bedroom, Reed’s love for moiré is reflected on the silk wall covering with embroidered flowers, birds, and insects, including references to Senerman’s swallow and bee tattoos.

There was a mutual obsession with couture-style details—fluted edges on the kitchen shelves, bedding piping color-matched to the carpet. “I put the carpet up behind the bed so it acts like a headboard and doesn’t push the bed far into the room,” Wood notes.

A frame TV on the library’s bookshelves shows a video still from a presentation of Reed’s designs at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Creel and Gow Fluorite Obelisk

Mimi Cushion by Christina Lundsteen

Loewe Home Mohair Striped Blanket

Reed describes the design process of each room as “building different outfits,” offering individual experiences. The hallway—and its black-and-white checkerboard marble flooring inspired by that at Claridge’s hotel—oozes Art Deco decadence, while the punchy colors of the bathroom create a visually distinct, whimsical world. Furniture is an eclectic mix spanning antiques to contemporary. With light fixtures, scale and sculpture come to play, as seen with the bedroom’s vibrant Murano chandelier and the oversized 1950s Italian wall lights in the living room, originally from a movie theater. Colors veer from deep to delicate—an eyesore sloping hallway ceiling is now a pleasing plaster sculpture in glossy dark green, and soft pink walls balance the steel kitchen. The second bedroom, now transformed into a library-cum-TV-room, is immersed in Farrow & Ball’s moody Hague Blue in a high-gloss finish. Reed, whose parents are English documentary filmmaker Nick Reed and American model turned artist and founder of Illume candle company Lynette Reed, was born in LA. He moved to London nine years ago, and now commutes to Paris twice a month for his Ricci role. Senerman, originally from Chile, grew up in Miami and lived in LA and Paris before settling in London. The peripatetic nature of their lives so far is why they are relishing a permanent home of their own, and for Reed, it is a much-needed sanctuary. “It really is a safe queer space—all our friends can feel at home here,” he says. “We’ve created something so authentic, and it’s beautiful when a dream allows others to dream as well. I think that’s really special.”

Fromental’s hand-painted Faisans wall covering in black and gold defines the powder room.

Harris Reed x Missoma Labradorite Cocktail Ring

Fromental Folly Wall Covering

Harris Reed’s home appears in AD's October issue. Never miss a story when you subscribe to AD.