In this session we had the delightful Henry Holland, creative director and design consultant, who shared what creative vision means to him, as well as his career highlights and inspirations to date.
With Henry’s colourful and fast moving showreel as the backdrop, he shared his experience in journalism, speaking on his time as Fashion Editor of 90’s/00’s pop-culture staples Smash Hits! and Bliss Magazine, before creating his iconic slogan t-shirts. These t-shirts launched his fashion and creative career into the stratosphere, from DIY business model to an award winning, globally recognised brand. Henry also shared one of his proudest projects: the development of a tailoring and suiting collection for the Albert Kennedy Trust, an LGBTQ+ charity supporting youth homelessness and building better futures.
With his vibrant and unique approach to creating trends and developing brands through fashion, sportswear, home & interiors, and tech, Henry continues to develop his career as a consultant, moving further into tech and communications for big brands and creative markets. This is all in addition to dabbling in ceramics from home during lockdown.
With humour, collaboration, and people at the heart of all he values and does creatively, there is plenty of inspiration and advice for you to feed into your own working practice, including how to hone your narratives and create an inclusive and inspiring network of people around you.
Henry’s advice and insights:
- Be collaborative and inclusive, get a sense of belonging and support through peers.
- With a creative brain, look at everything and wonder how you can change it up.
- Social media is a tool to help sell and promote your products globally.
- Pick the best platforms and social channel that work best for you.
- Embrace TikTok, it brings joy and fun especially right now.
- For new business starters, make sustainable and ethical decisions at the forefront of what you are doing, it will help your business sustain in the long run.
