Kemal Harris is a NYC-based red carpet stylist, creating award show looks for actors and custom tour wardrobe for musicians. She's also the Costume Designer to Claire Underwood on Season's 3, 4, and 5 of the Netflix series "House of Cards," for which she recently received a Costume Designers Guild Award nomination.
When it comes to following ones own creative intuition what do you think is important? What do you listen to?
Don't over think it - or fear that someone will hate your choices. You have to find ways to push yourself, at least for your own creative growth.
What does a typical day look like for you? Is there such a thing?
Not really! That's why I chose this job - because every single day is different! If I'm not on a location shoot or at a fitting, then I head into my office each morning on the Lower East Side and check in with my amazing assistant Traci to figure out our game plan for the day. This usually includes appointments with designers and showrooms, reading scripts, sourcing fabric and trimmings and drinking a hell of a lot of coffee.
If you could evolve your craft instantly, right now, what sort of step forward would you take? What would change?
I would love to start a clothing line!
What single person have you come across in your life, who without them or their influence, things would simply not be as they are?
I grew up in a village named Ucluelet on the far west coast of Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. I had no internet or cable TV so the local library was my only way to connect with the outside world. I distinctly remember seeing an issue of ELLE magazine and deciding right then that I wanted to work in fashion, even though I hardly had any idea what that meant exactly. I just knew I had to eventually find my way to New York City.
Inspiration or perspiration?
My job starts with inspiration but can't happen without perspiration.
What can you not live without?
My boyfriend Chris Denman - he makes me laugh and feel better, no matter how crazy the world gets. Plus, he's an amazing cook!
How do you take your coffee?
Black
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Kemal Harris is wearing the Morro Cinder.
Follow Kemal on Instagram
Photos by Joonie Jang
