Interview: Toni Hacker, Founder of Hayden-Harnett!

I am beyond excited about today's post! Presenting Toni Hacker, the founder and creative force behind one of my all-time favorite labels, Hayden-Harnett. Toni was kind enough to share her inspirations and insights with us, so sit back, relax, and bask in her style genius!

If it feels like you could easily wear all HH all the time, you're not alone! Toni begins each collection with a fictional muse in mind--an alter-ego of sorts. She then designs everything that girl could possibly want: "I'm a bit of a method designer; each collection is built around a story. We create the pieces that tell that story down to the tiniest detail. A special necklace and clutch, a serious cuff, a playfully sleek bag, a lovely silken dress with a symbolic print, the wool coat she walks through the park with."

Of course even an imaginary muse needs to get out once in a while! "Besides designing Hayden-Harnett around my alter ego, I also like to take a trip before I start designing a new collection. Just getting out and seeing new inspiration takes my thoughts and aesthetic to a different place mentally. For example, I just came back from a great trip back home to Kentucky. I'm really feeling equestrian, laid back style--lots of leather, traditional tailoring, menswear with a femme tweak. Hayden-Harnett is always evolving. I love that each season we tell such a different story."

So how did that alter-ego and her diverse inspirations come to life in the Fall '09 collection? "Our Fall '09 'Cargo Cult' collection was inspired by the magical realism of Cargo Cults, Art Deco, and the photography of Diane Arbus. Overall it's a really polished and quirky collection--a bit darker than previous seasons, but very personal. The new bags will add a darker, artier edge to your existing wardrobe. The great thing is that our Fall '09 apparel and bags are really easy to dress up or down. The colors are very neutral and work with everything you already own.

This muse sounds seriously savvy! Can I steal her style? "For Fall '09, the Hayden-Harnett girl is dressed in warm woolen jackets layered with lovely silk dresses and patchwork suede. She's carrying the Tallulah shoulder bag or the Biblio in the daytime or a sleek little clutch, like the Talitha, for night with a sexy LBD and a scarf in case she gets chilled. She always wears cuffs and she loves statement jewelry like our new Junya and Corinne necklaces. She loves unique pieces that are limited edition--pieces that her grandchildren will pick up and be fascinated by. Everything in her closet has an immediate sense of history."

She seems like the kind of girl who has the perfect bag for every occasion! What are the must-haves in her handbag wardrobe? "I think our LBD of handbags is the Lorca--you just have to have the perfect medium shoulder bag. I think our bootcut jean of handbags is the Havana hobo--universally flattering and the perfect size for everything. Our best bag for Fall '09 is the Biblio; it's the handbag equivalent of your favorite lightweight wool coat that goes with everything--the one you splurged on but get every penny back for style and use.

Okay, so we have a major girl crush on the HH muse. But what's Toni wearing this season? "I always begin my wardrobe with a great coat...if you have a great coat and bag, you can't go too wrong with anything else you wear. My top HH picks for Fall '09 are: our black wool Parker trench worn with our Arbus or Alice dress, thick matte black tights, great oxfords and our Biblio or Tallulah bag for day. For evening, I would wear the Arbus dress (so sexy), Biblio scarf, our short wool Taso jacket, and the Talitha box clutch. I like wearing boots for evening because it throws off the seriousness of a sexy dress; it makes the entire look much more approachable and fun."

Thanks so much to Toni for sharing with us! Don't you love the idea of editing your wardrobe based on creating an 'immediate sense of history'? Now let's all go drool over the Hayden-Harnett website, shall we?!

Comments

[Susan]

great interview! :)
great items, too.
have a lovely day, xoxo

[Jaime]

Great interview :) Love the Corinne mini bag!

[Emily]

Loved this interview! She's so classy and I totally agree about having a great coat - I just can't have enough!

[The Bella Girls]

I can honestly say I love every one of the above outfits. What a fun interview.

~Camberley

[Joanna]

Now I have a total girl crush on this muse! I find the idea of building a collection around a woman and her story so inspiring.

Really cool interview! Now I need to go shopping....

[Jess LC]

What a great interview. I love the way she designs her collections. I might try thinking of an alter ego for spring :).

[Paula Grace]

Great interview. Love the look! I'm checking out the website. Thanks!

[Sarah Klassen/Haute Design]

I really love this brand! Their creations are unique and timeless. Classics of quality.

It was wonderful to read your interview! I totally feel the same about taking a trip for inspiration -- getting outside is the very best inspiration of all. Love the pieces -- head to toe.

:)

[Maryam in Marrakech]

I have 3 Hayden Harnett bags and like all of them. Very nice quality and the price point is very good. I actually wore one of my HH bags in commercial shoots I did recently for French and Kuwaiti clients. One thing I dislike, however, is the customer service. I tried contacting Hayden Harnett twice via email re the lining in one of my bags and got nothing back:-( I have been wanting to try some of their clothes but am concerned that if something went wrong or it did not fit, I would never be able to sort it out with them.

[Feather Report]

What a great interview, Anne! I ADORE Hayden-Harnett and have used a bunch of their pieces in recent FR outfits. That gray suede jacket with the brown interior peeking out is gorgeous!

[ambika]

I love everything they do--the dresses, the belts, and of course the bags. What a great interview.

[vee]

loving the corinne mini bag!

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