It has been both exhilarating and painful to watch big brands across industries trying to find their place in the country's conversation about race, since 2020. And other than the swapping out of skinny white models for a more colorful and compelling range, it was unclear how fashion, one of the most stunningly resistant industries to diversity, would respond.
Enter Charles Harbison—or, more aptly put: reenter Harbison.
The 38‐year‐old designer launched the BR x Harbison capsule collection for Banana Republic last fall to impressive reviews. The limited‐edition collection, touted as a celebration of Black women and inspired by the hardworking southern matriarchs in his life, was a novel partnership, one the industry needs more of. It also succeeded the debut of Harbison's Spring‐Summer 2022 collection at New York Fashion Week, which heralded the official return of a brand that first launched in 2013.
Known for finely tailored ready‐to‐wear with distinctly architectural elements that is meant to be somewhat gender neutral, the Lincolnton, North Carolina, native cut his teeth creating luxury bedding for Macy's before working for Michael Kors, Luca Luca, and Billy Reid, where he became a director.
In 2015, Harbison's eponymous brand was blessed by the Beyoncé effect, when the iconic Mrs. Carter commissioned some pieces ...
