Harry Mundy is the spick and span Kings Road stalwart who weaves eccentricity with every stitch and snip he makes.
Busying himself on the floor of the Vivienne Westwood studio at the age of 17 and now working alongside Savile Row tailors Chittleborough & Morgan; Harry Mundy is a mint condition new menswear designer striving to capture both imagination and tradition with his prim and proper pieces.
First meeting a sixteen-year-old Harry Mundy on the streets of Soho when he was interning for Vivienne Westwood (having left school to find ‘freedom’), i-D quickly established an affinity with this happy chappy. During his tutelage under the Dame, Mundy stumbled upon a talent for making clothes, particularly partial was he to a peachy pink patterned top (similar to V.W’s own ‘squiggle’ top) that he whipped up from scraps of fabric found on the floor of the studio.
With the guidance and endless skill gathered from Row Joe Morgan and Roy Chittlebrough (former cutters for tailoring magician Tommy Nutter), Mundy showcases samples of his delicious designs, that he claims “if luck holds” should complete his début menswear collection. Injecting tradition, imagination and the frivolity of youth into his designs, Harry steers towards transforming menswear back to the roots of the 20th century but with a delightful dash of the here and now. Giving you a peek of his fine creations, all pieces worn by Harry, Rhys and Louie for the This is how we do it series are a snippet of what’s to come from this desirable dandy.
You’ve had an unusually profound obsession with men’s tailoring since the day i-D met you. What was behind your decision to follow the Savile Row path of making tailored menswear? Savile Row has a history of providing the best tailoring in the world. I have always wanted to be able to design clothes that combine not only the simplicity of classic taste, but also build on that to bring a new level of individuality to the aesthetic of the best in gentlemen’s clothing.
Do you think there will always be a market for classic menswear in an industry that transitions so abruptly to the ‘new’ trends? Yes, of course. Classic menswear is timeless. Although trends perpetually come and go, to a great extent, people’s self-expression – especially when they need to look their best-usually reflects a taste that has long been held as the standard that defines excellence.
What are the qualities you most admire in a man? An ability to be courteous and witty after a night of no sleep, considerable refreshment and a lot of exercise!
What are the qualities you most admire in a woman? An ability to be charming and kind after having a night with no sleep, considerable refreshment and a lot of exercise!
You look like the ultimate mugger’s delight in your attire, what reaction does a 19-year-old get dressing the way you do? The reactions are getting better, especially since I started wearing shirts with sleeves and trousers with legs!
Head here to see our This is how we do it series in full.
Text: Harriet Verney
Photography: Louie Banks
Art Direction: Scarlett Carlos Clarke
Make-up: Lucy Wearing
Hair: Sami Knight
