Design Identities Series – Featuring Charles Harbison — North Carolina Chapter ASLA

Born in Lincolnton, NC, Charles developed an early interest in fashion while observing the transformative impact that clothing had on his mother’s persona. Charles studied fine arts, painting, and textiles at North Carolina State University’s College of Design, where his curriculum was based largely on the modernist movement—an aesthetic code he continues to employ. Following graduation, Charles spent a year abroad studying Central Asian textiles. His next move brought him to New York, where he enrolled in the fashion program at Parsons School of Design. Charles began his professional career as a textile designer before moving on to womenswear at Michael Kors. He continued with stints at Luca Luca and Billy Reid, producing both womenswear and accessories. Charles launched his collection, HARBISON, in NYC in 2013, with womenswear, menswear, and accessories exploring the designer’s central themes: ease, modernity, art, and gender. Having dressed the likes of Beyoncé, Solange, & Ava Duvernay, and design-directed designer & contemporary brands alike (i.e. Ungaro in London, Cult Gaia & NICHOLAS in LA), Charles continues to build HARBISON in Los Angeles.