If you’ve ever seen a photo of jet-setting DJ/model Harley Viera-Newton, chances are she’s wearing a vintage frock. “They are definitely my uniform!” she tells us over the phone from New York. “I grew up in LA where there are a lot of incredible vintage stores. I love the ease of a dress – especially living in New York, which is such a spontaneous city. You never really know what’s going to happen.”
Last week, Viera-Newton launched HVN, a collection of six different dresses styles in a range of prints at Matchesfashion.com, all inspired by her years of vintage shopping. “This collection was my opportunity to fill in the gaps within my own collection and create the dream dresses that I never found,” she says. “I would find amazing prints and fabrics in vintage shops but would always have to tailor them to fit me.”
Caption: Harley Viera-Newton in one of her designs
Print-happy and girly, the dresses come in cheery patterns like delicate florals, cherries and gingham, and are made in luxurious fabrics including silk and crepe. “I did a little leopard print for this collection as well, with some leaves, inspired by my cat Tarzan,” she says.
Caption: Some looks from Harley Viera-Newton's dress collection
While she’s based in New York now, the London-born DJ/model (she lived in London until she was 12 years old) says she feels “strong nostalgia” for her home city. “When I visit London, I’ll walk down a road and remember something from my childhood… Even an English sandwich takes me back to being a kid,” she says.
Anticipating her next visit, Viera-Newton tells us some of her favourite London destinations.
Portobello Road is a Mecca for vintage and I always go whenever I’m in town. Apart from the actual market, there are great shops nearby including Rellik, which is sort of a vintage institution at this point. It’s beautifully curated and I’ve seen pieces in there that I’ve never seen anywhere else, like old Norma Kamali and Ossie Clark dresses. They’re pieces you see and think – forever pieces.
When I go vintage shopping, I pay a lot of attention to fabric because I think that has a lot to do with how much you’ll actually wear something. If something isn’t perfect in fit, I’ll tailor it myself. So I mostly shop by print or by fabric.
My mum and I both love the rose and violet chocolates from there. They sell little chocolates filled with flavoured cream, like flower cream. The rose and violet ones were also my grandmother’s favourites.
I’ll usually stop amidst all the shopping in Marylebone for a sandwich and coffee at La Fromagerie. They have incredible, fresh cheeses and little cakes. I’m a sucker for brie – I love the brie and honey sandwich. And you can buy fresh pasta and meat. If I have to meet someone in that area for coffee, I always suggest this place.
Dinings is a tiny sushi restaurant and unfortunately, you do need to reserve quite far in advance. But it’s worth it because everything on the menu is delicious and impeccably made. My favourite things are the tartare chips – they put tiny pieces of sashimi on little chips that are just the best thing you’ll ever eat! It’s the perfect date-night spot, if you need one.
Each room is a different colour adorned with beautiful details. There’s a beautiful green room with French 18th-century paintings that I love, as well as beautiful porcelain and armour. It’s like a little snippet of Versailles in Manchester Square. You almost can’t believe it’s there.
I can’t visit London without having high tea at The Wolseley. It’s an essential stop for the perfect tea and finger sandwiches – they have the best cucumber sandwiches with salmon and oh, the little scones… The setting is so beautiful as well – the huge, high ceiling. It’s a quintessentially British experience.
I thought about Father’s Day coming up and Peter Harrington came to mind. It’s a shop that stocks rare books, in Fulham – they have really incredible floors of great books and signed first editions, which are great for gifts. If I’m ever in London and need a last minute gift, I’ll usually go there.
Interview by Jainnie Cho
