Sustainability & Art with Harlie Briggs

Monday, 10 January 2022
Harlie Briggs Art Sustainable Artists


This Secondhand September, let us introduce you to Harlie Briggs (@harliebriggsart_). Self-professed abstract artist and up-cycler of vases, Harlie is inspired by the female form and using sustainable materials to create her art. We spoke to Harlie about how she started on her sustainability journey, what inspires her and her thoughts on the preloved industry.


Before we get into Harlie Briggs Art tell us a bit about your background and how you got into ceramics?

A: I simply got into ceramics by experimentation! I had a few old vases hanging around my house and decided to paint my nudes on them one day... that's when they began!

Q: What is the inspiration and motivation behind Harlie Briggs Art?

A: Creating art that makes people feel good and makes people appreciate their bodies.

Q:Tell us about your sustainability journey and how you arrived at where you are today.

A: I use all sustainable materials where I can, especially with my vases! I've definitely made better changes in the recent years... There's so much more information available today to start taking small steps in your sustainability journey!

Q: Where do you source your stock? And is it difficult to find?

A: I find ceramics at antique fairs and it can be difficult as you never know what you're going to find, or how many you're going to find!

Q: What is your biggest accomplishment to date?

A: My biggest accomplishment to date would be my Selfridges pop-up. It was so surreal to meet people in real life and let them browse my items - it made my job very real.

Q: How do you incorporate sustainability into your everyday life?

A: I make sure to shop with sustainable brands and buy one good quality piece of clothing at a time, rather than 10 low quality pieces that are most likely made in sweatshops with zero consideration for basic human rights.

Q:What are your thoughts on the pre-loved industry?

A: The pre-loved industry is something to be admired and I'm really looking forward to seeing it bloom.

Q: What item in your wardrobe do you treasure the most and does it have a story behind it?

A: At the moment, I treasure my HBA shirt the most to be honest! It took months and months to bring them to life and I was gobsmacked when I received them. It was so fun to design, create the imagery and watch other people wear them too. It was made in London, with 100% naturally dyed cotton and sustainability was at the core of producing them.

Q: Finally, are there any independent designers that you think deserve recognition for the steps they are taking in being more sustainable?

A: Absolutely! There are some lovely ladies that I am lucky to have met through the small business world are taking massive steps in sustainability by having clothes made consciously and by re-using old clothes and other materials such a quilts and table cloths - @monikathelabel, @freyasimone and @lydia__bolton.


To keep up-to-date with the newest arrivals, latest announcements and more, follow us on Instagram or subscribe to our newsletter.