Harrier & howell: ’80s glamour returns with crate & barrel’s bold new collection
Laura Harrier and Tiffany Howell’s latest collaboration is a decadent plunge into the cinematic excess of the 1980s – a deliberate, intoxicating embrace of velvet, lacquer, and a hefty dose of cinematic sleaze.
A decade of decadence, reimagined
The 87-piece collection, launching tomorrow with Crate & Barrel, isn’t merely inspired by the era; it’s saturated in it. Forget minimalist chic – this is about unapologetic glamour, a direct homage to the visual language of Sunset Boulevard and the unsettling allure of Blue Velvet. Think Norma Desmond’s plush solitude, but with a distinctly modern, slightly dangerous edge.
Harrier, ever the astute observer of design, notes the influence of Elsa Peretti’s signature bean bracelets, referencing “those natural forms and curves, things that feel really organic.” Howell, meanwhile, admits the team’s tastes have coalesced, creating a shorthand for references – a Peretti cuff instantly conjures a specific table, a visual echo of shared sensibilities.
Beyond the trends: a narrative in form
But there’s more to this than just nostalgic vibes. Howell stresses they’re not chasing trends, but rather excavating iconic references – from Natasha’s cashmere sweater in Paris, Texas to the extravagant silhouettes of YSL in Marrakech and the haunting beauty of Sheila Metzner’s photography. The collection, she insists, is fundamentally about Lauren Hutton’s character from American Gigolo – the effortless cool, the burgundy Bottega tucked beneath a trench, the poised confidence.
The standout pieces – the cognac rugs, the burl wood console, the cream lacquer dresser – aren’t simply furniture; they’re meticulously crafted props within a larger narrative. The Lucie burl and chrome console, staged against a Tiffany blue backdrop, immediately establishes this dramatic context. It’s a deliberate layering of textures and references, a calculated provocation of the senses.
“Tiffany’s really good about creating spaces that feel so elevated and cool and high-end, but still very livable,” Harrier explains. “She can make a place feel like a home – somewhere you actually want to live, and not just a museum.” This is a collection that demands attention, invites indulgence, and whispers of a bygone era – a potent reminder that sometimes, a little bit of calculated excess is precisely what’s needed.
Don’t expect subtle elegance. This is a collection designed for a leading lady, a woman who isn’t afraid to command a room – or a luxardo cherry.