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Lainey, the designer behind Hari

When I first started to work at my-wardrobe.com, I discovered among the portfolio of brands, a brand called Hari. What drew my attention was the logo…a lion. The lion is my lucky animal, my fellow, my tandem,  my tiara.

I had to meet the person behind Hari and was lucky enough to get in touch with Vanessa Howard on Facebook who works for Lainey, the women who created Hari. The name Hari derives from the lion in one of the ancient Vedas; Lainey is herself a Leo and loves the power that the lion symbol represents. The logo of the lion with the heart on the tail implies ‘Love and Pride’ – a tagging that is used on some of the t-shirts and vests from the first collection.

I met with Lainey on a wintery Friday evening. I went to her showroom and discovered that she does not only design for Hari but has her own PR& Sales agency, Lainey Fashion. Very busy, married and about to become a Mummy, she still welcomes you with a smile. No rush, great homemade tea, Diptyque candles, in a word an amazing atmosphere to discover some eclectic labels to be remembered.

As I am a fashion addict and sometime a compulsive shopper, I did not leave my business meeting empty hands. A scarf from Ebony & Ivory, that I have since worn every day, a wish list on the Lounge Lover account, my SS10 gym outfit from Hari, I can conclude that my meeting was very productive. Apart from fashion and self-indulgence, I have surely met a friend. Lainey is driven, enthusiastic, and runs her own label, her own agency and private life under the same roof.

She has kindly accepted for the launch of StyleStudio42.com to complete my Q/A.

I am sure that she will have many things to reveal in the future but for now she inspires me for 2010…Happy New Year!

Describe yourself in 3 words:

Lainey: Positive, quick and honest – perhaps you should ask someone else too?!

Do you separate entirely Lainey Fashion and Hari?

Lainey: No – Lainey fashion is my Sales & PR agency and Hari is my line of sports/casualwear – Lainey Fashion represents Hari as one of its clients.

Who is Hari’s type of woman?

Lainey: All of the wonderful women that we know and love; I try to combine both very simple basic styles with more trend driven designs.

What can we look forward to wear from Hari in 2010?

Lainey: Oh My goodness – we have created the best Tracksuit version of a Harem pant (appropriately called the Har(i)m pant), and a perfect sleeveless version of the classic Off-Duty Icon hoodie.

London for now or forever?

Lainey: Forever, for now  (nesting time with my bump) but who knows what is around the corner.

Do you think that your new role as a Mum will affect your career or do you see it as a new boost, a new way of seeing things that will lead you to be more creative?

Lainey: Having seen the massively different ways that all of my friends who have become mothers have reacted it is very difficult to be certain.  At the moment I am positive it will be a massive boost – a proper purpose for all of the hard work and a brand new outlook – as they say ‘if you have a job to do get a busy (wo)man to do it’.

Fashion booker, Head of a PR company, behind the brand Hari, any other hat you would like to add to your collection in the future?

Lainey: Mummy

What would you expect from a fashion & art online platform?

Lainey: Fabulously unexpected collaborations – CY TWOMBLY FOR HARI

My five short questions:

Black or White?

Lainey: Black in the winter, white in the summer

Day or Night?

Lainey: The changeover is the exciting time – dawn or dusk

Short or Long?

Lainey: Short

Whisper or shout?

Lainey: Whisper

Lead or follow?

Lainey: Lead

Before you head somewhere else on the web, check www.harisport.com