Man With Style: Harry Halim, Fashion Designer

"I design clothes that let people express themselves without fear or judgement."

Fashion designer Harry Halim (Photo: HARRYHALIM)

By Alexa Lauren - published 12 Sep 2021

Like his favourite designer, the late Tunisian couturier Azzedine Alaïa, 36-year-old Indonesian Harry Halim believes in the ability of fashion to empower. And it shows in the sculptural silhouettes and bold cuts that have become signatures of the designer’s eponymous label, which he founded in Paris in 2010—a year after he relocated there—and expanded into Jakarta and Los Angeles in 2018 and 2019 respectively. To him, style is about taking pride in your appearance while staying true to yourself—which Halim does in his “uniform” of black oversize suit worn with cool ankle boots. A mainstay in his wardrobe? Timeless leather.

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Fash Darlings

Comme des Garçon fall/winter 2020 (Photo: Comme des Garçon)

1 of 10

“My favourite brands are Comme des Garçons and HARRYHALIM.”

Favoured Child

Baby Kitana boot, about $665. (Photo: HARRYHALIM)

2 of 10

“I particularly love my HARRYHALIM Kitana boots.”

Fond Memories

Harry Halim

3 of 10

“Winning the 2006 Asian Young Fashion Designers Contest (AYFDC) is a moment etched in my heart. The contest represented many firsts for me as a designer—my first show, my first collection, and the first time my brand and I received some recognition in the media.”

Paradox At Work

Posters for American supernatural horror TV series The Haunting of Hill House (2018) and The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020)

4 of 10

“I watch horror films to relax and unwind—my favourites are The Shining and Doctor Sleep. I love the TV series The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor too.”

Walk On The Wild Side

A look from Halim’s spring/ summer 2022 men’s collection (Photo: HARRYHALIM)

5 of 10

“Leopard is a print I gravitate towards. It’s complex, striking and badass, yet romantic and cheeky at times. Above all, it lends an air of mystery to its wearer.”

Dare To Be

Halim subverts stereotypes through his brand of fashion (Photo: HARRYHALIM)

6 of 10

“I design clothes that let people express themselves without fear or judgement. Putting on heels and a dress is not emasculating; rather, it’s an embrace of our individuality and that’s empowering.”

Partners In Crime

From left: Ring, about $955, KD2024; Ring, MAHIJA; Damini earring, about $227, MAHIJA x HARRYHALIM

7 of 10

“My everyday accessories are earrings from my special collaboration with jewellery house MAHIJA, a MAHIJA ring, as well as some rings from KD2024 and Synesthesia.”