Interview with Hayden-Harnett Designer Toni Hacker

I’m in the best mood ever 🙂 While I was in Paris, I ran into a girl I know who was wearing this fab cuff bracelet she got from Hayden-Harnett. Almost immediately when I got back stateside I looked into the line and it turns out it’s designed by Toni Hacker who’s the founder and creative director. I was lucky enough not only to stop by her boutique (where I picked-up these MUST-HAVES; I’m completely obsessed with both…been wearing them every day), but I was also able to chat with Toni herself about how she got her label started, some of her inspiration, and her expansion into both footwear and swimwear 🙂 See what she says below!

How would you describe your line for those who aren’t familiar?
TH: Stylish, creative, eclectic, unique, and perfectly functional for modern women.

Where did the name Hayden-Harnett come from?
TH: On the morning of April Fool’s Day 2005, Ben and I woke up to make breakfast and I joked that we should just start our own line. I sketched the two Hs inside the circle and the logo was born. I didn’t like the sound of Hacker-Harnett, so I changed my H to Hayden. I liked the idea of designing around an alter-ego. A stylish girl who travels extensively and needs to look fantastic always, but never too flashy or over-the-top. Classic with a unique creative bohemian edge….that’s the Hayden-Harnett aesthetic.

Any challenges in working with your husband?
TH: No. Actually, we’ve never had any problems (but that must not be the norm!). I could never imagine starting a line without Ben. He’s the Tracy to my Hepburn…the vanilla to my sprinkles. We really complement each other on all levels and we’re big believers in compromise.

What are some of your signature pieces? Any favorites?
TH: Our Havana hobo, Lorca turnlock, Ibiza flight tote, and Estelle peacoat are our signature pieces and bestsellers to this day.

My personal favorites for Fall ’08 (that I’m rocking daily) are: the Clara flap bag in black zeus, the Gemma tote in black, the Wyeth tote in cordovan, the Marcel clutch, the Monroe colorblock shoulder bag, the Harriet jacket, the Faithfull tunic, the Maria simple dress, and the Martine jacket.

I’m obsessed with your Ramone Studded Slim Cuffs. Can you tell us about how you came-up with the design and name?
TH: Hah…me too! Actually, the cuffs are the very first item that I designed for Hayden-Harnett. I was looking everywhere for cool leather jewelry…specifically a cuff. Nobody had them except Hermès, but I wanted something more rock ‘n’ roll. The Ramone cuff is totally inspired by punk studs from 1978 and named for Joey Ramone (may he rest in peace in the rock ‘n’ roll otherworld).

What’s the inspiration for your fall 2008 collection?
TH: Nature vs. Man…the natural versus the unnatural.

You’ve just recently expanded into shoes and swimwear. Can you tell us about each and when they’ll be available?
TH: The shoe launch has been a labor of love and I’m so happy with the results. For Holiday’08 (11/25) we are launching with two boot styles: the Zelda zipper boot that can be worn cuffed or over the knee, and the Madeleine riding boot that has great hardware and a very cool patchwork/equestrian look. For Spring’09, we have seven shoe styles coming…everything from a perfect flat to a studded gladiator that ties around the leg to a woven link wedge that floats around the foot.

All are super stylish and super comfortable. Women in NYC don’t have cars, we have shoes…they need to really perform on all levels. The swimwear is really fun and is based around the collection prints that we develop each season. The overall aesthetic for our swim collection is for the cool girl who doesn’t go for trashy/flashy and wants to look unique, stylish, and maybe a bit old-school. The swim silhouettes were inspired by images of Vargas girls and ’40s pinup style glamour queens who always looked 100% put-together and yet perfectly sexy in a discreet way.

How would you describe your spring 2009 line?
TH: A whole lotta love in the form of our Muse collection…100% inspired by the 1981 movie Xanadu and Olivia Newton-John’s character, Kira, a roller skating muse with a penchant for ruffles, silk, and off-the-shoulder blouson tops and dresses. The color and shapes are very feminine, yet modern. The shoes are killer, and the bags heavenly.

What accessories and apparel items do you consider must-haves for women?
TH: Hmmm…my list of five things every woman must have:
* A fantastic and versatile trench coat with a garçonne-chic edge
* A medium to large size leather handbag that carries everything, but never looks as though it does
* A fantastically-detailed leather clutch bag with a stowable shoulder strap
* A haberdashery-style umbrella in a bright color or fun print
* An amazing oversize silk scarf in a wonderful print…ready to be used in so many ways

When you’re not wearing your own pieces, whose clothes/accessories do you love wearing?
TH: I love and cherish my pieces by Vena Cava, Eskell, Aoyama Itchome, Wendy Hil, Gerard Darel, Deborah Sweeney, Alexander Wang, Trina Turk (her prints are amazing!), and Ladies of the Canyon jersey dresses. I collect and wear a ton of vintage found on eBay and all points south. Old Navy jeans rock the hizzy and I never care if I get marker all over them. H&M often fills the need for immediate trend satisfaction.

You can shop Hayden-Harnett online, at her boutique (211 Franklin St.), or at a boutique near you that carries her line (may I suggest Jirisuda if you live in NYC — very cute boutique!)