Six ways to make headlines from CSM’s most talked-about graduate

Under the alias Harrie Bradshaw, fashion design graduate Harry Freegard hoodwinked his tutors at Central Saint Martins into inviting him to show a final collection literally held together by safety pins and blind faith at its annual press event. This stingy catwalk show is renowned amongst students for excluding more than 50 per cent of design graduates. (Although half a decade of blood, sweat and taffeta and around £36,000 in tuition fees won’t cut it at CSM, the sacrifice of your first born may do.)

“I’ve never been able to make clothes and never wanted to,” Freegard confesses, after getting away with murder since his first year. This is apparent in his final collection, a procession of hastily draped silks, gaffa tape and used socks, punctuated by acrylic-painted profanities and misplaced shoes, all of which give way to the punch line ‘HARRY IS DEAD’ – delivered by the designer himself on a scooter for a hearse. It’s this kind of complete nonsense that makes his work stand out. “My approach toward fashion is different from my peers because I’m burning the candle at both ends what with my time spent shooting and styling for other projects,” he says. “It’s my love of image-making that encouraged the spontaneous mood of my final collection rather than focusing on the individual garments’ wearability.”

Freegard says his four years studying fashion with print (Foundation Diploma not included) taught him nothing about the artistry of fashion design and everything about the art of bullshitting, something he won’t be able to put on his CV, but did rely on to get into the press show. “My collection started out as an experiment in seeing what I could get away with. I blagged my way through a crit with a few bits of old paper stapled together and a wellington boot as an opera glove. I called it a gown and that was just the beginning.” The product of these antics is an amalgamation of what he describes as ‘effortless and irreverent post-ironic glamour’, or in layman's terms, Daily Mail-worthy clickbait. In fact, the bedrock of Freegard’s work is to question taste and push the limits of what a designer should do for publicity, a point proven by his decision to do away with the usual blushing wave atypical of a fashion designer and scoot boldly where no man had before and down the length of his catwalk. (To the sound of deafening cheers I might add.)

Larger-than-life Freegard has become something of a minor celebrity around Granary Square and is renowned for his caustic fashion sense and a walk to rival America’s Next Top Model’s J Alexander. After first appearing on the runway of Art School and later making cameos at Rottingdean Bazaar’s AW18 show (with a cardboard cut out of Naomi Campbell) and its recent SS18 show as a Mother Earth, he brought a certain manic charm to this month’s Dazed cover story necessary for an issue themed around youth in revolt. It’s safe to say we’re all in on the joke when he says, “It’s all about laughing with fashion and encouraging fashion to laugh at itself. Fashion shouldn’t be so serious!”

Harrie took a gamble with his degree and hit the jackpot (a page in London’s very own Evening Standard – LOL). Naturally, we had to find out more on the subtle art of faking it rather than making it and how we, the general public, can make headlines too. Here are his golden rules:

MAKE AN ENTRANCE

“Make an entrance. Skipping or scooting work best to command a room.  Always wear heels with wheels, because flats are a definite no. I zoomed down the runway of my show on an 18 karat scooter and I can assure you, the constant fear of falling burnt more calories.”

YOUR SKIRT CAN NEVER BE SHORT ENOUGH

“When wearing a skirt, make sure it is no longer than scrotum length. Aim for the skirt in the green look from my show, it should probably be described as more of a generous belt, testicle grazing glamour. Or even my look from the last Rottingdean Bazaar show, Vogue Runway photos got an eyeful; she loves it! Total crotch exposure is the goal here and if it worked for Britney getting out of that fateful limousine and it will almost certainly work for you.”

COORDINATE WITH A FRIEND

“In the words of Anna Dello Russo: ‘Somebody wearing your same outfit? Wonderful! You did the right choice.’ Myself and fellow biological woman Gui (Rosa) ensure to match looks on any occasion, private view? Stunning! Starbucks? You betcha! Putting the bins out? Naturally. Matching looks are a must so match your bag to your jacket and to 50 other bags and then to your make-up.”

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE YOUR UNDERWEAR

“Stop underestimating your underwear. The red bra brooch is my signature accessory, it’s the Where’s Wally of my Instagram, you will also spot it in my show where a red bra and knickers take centre stage upon a stunning woven ribbon suit,  First and foremost, bras and knickers are accessories before they are anything else. Pin your delicates as you would a brooch, wear knickers around the knees (or ankles), because who doesn’t love a bit of freshly fucked glamour?”

MAKE KITCHENWEAR INTO A KITSCH ACCESSORY

“In my show you may notice a certain accessory features heavily, the dishy dish. I’ve always felt that dinnerware should be celebrated beyond the confines of kitchenettes and charity shops, and they don’t half make a gorgeous clutch! Balance your phone, keys and cards on a commemorative plate bearing your own face – you are your best asset!”

ENSURE YOUR LOOK WILL GUARANTEE YOU A PLACE IN THE SPOTLIGHT

“You may have seen my face poking through the crowd on the cover of Dazed. Luck? Maybe, but the prime position of clinging to the back of Madame Westwood is a direct result of slapping on so much blush and highlight that my face glowed like a beacon. For an added extra to thoroughly steal the spotlight, do away with traditionally sewn garments. I brought my own clothes to this shoot, and their safety-pinned seams are far less secure than the stylist’s alternatives, and really heightened one’s chance of a wardrobe malfunction. Thrilling.”