HARBISON Studio

Photo by: Sahaj Singh

Charles Harbison, the creative director of the modern luxury lifestyle brand Harbison Studio, was born in rural North Carolina. He developed an early interest in fashion, inspired by the transformative effect that beauty and clothing had on his mother.

Harbison studied architecture, fiber arts, and textile science at North Carolina State University. His curriculum was heavily influenced by the Modernist movement, an aesthetic he continues to embrace. After graduation, he spent a year abroad in Uzbekistan studying Central Asian textiles, then moved to New York City to join the fashion program at Parsons School of Design.

He began his career as a textile designer before transitioning to fashion design. Harbison worked at Michael Kors Collection and had stints at Luca Luca and Billy Reid, designing womenswear and accessories.

In 2021, Harbison launched Harbison Studio in Los Angeles. The brand explores themes of style, play, intellect, and modernity. His collection has received acclaim from Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), and Business of Fashion. As a prominent designer and influencer, Harbison has spoken at the Museum of Modern Art, the Barnes Foundation, and the White House Fashion Education Workshop. He has dressed numerous celebrities, including Beyoncé and Jodie Turner-Smith.

Harbison has also been the design director for various successful designer and contemporary brands, such as Ungaro in London, Cult Gaia, and Nicholas in Los Angeles. He continues to develop Harbison Studio in Los Angeles, focusing on design, culture, and sustainability. This focus led to a sustainability-minded collaboration with Banana Republic in 2021.