Harry Watt remembered as a fashion trailblazer and inspiration: South Australian fashion icon dies in Adelaide
Iconic South Australian designer Harry Watt has been remembered as a trailblazer who put Australian fashion on the world map.
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Iconic South Australian designer Harry Watt has been remembered as a trailblazer who put Australian fashion on the world map.
Watt, 82, the creative force behind the world-renowned label Harry Who, died in Adelaide on Sunday night with his life partner, designer George Gross, by his side.
The two had also been business partners, running George Gross and Harry Who for 40 years before retiring in 2014.
Their creations were worn and loved by some of the world’s most famous women including Princess Diana, Joan Collins and Elle Macpherson.
The Australian fashion community rallied on Monday, remembering the much-loved Watt as a “pioneer” of style who was one of the first to put local designs on the global stage.
Paolo Sebastian creator, Adelaide designer Paul Vasileff, said he was “devastated” to hear of Watt’s passing.
“They were really ahead of their time and beloved across Australia for their work,” he said. “It’s really amazing to think what they accomplished. They showed you could do something out of Adelaide and they were a huge inspiration to me.”
Founder of Adelaide label couture+love+madness, Cristina Tridente, said Watt had left an indelible mark on the fashion industry.
“George and Harry really put Australia, let alone South Australia on the map for fashion design,” she said. “Their iconic designs that spanned over the last 40 years were ever so memorable.”
Vasileff and Tridente said Watt’s legacy would live on in the many young designers they had mentored and encouraged over the years.
“I remember 11, 12 years ago now, they invited me into their studio to show me around, the inner workings of the business,” Vasileff said.
“That kind of behind the scenes knowledge and insight, taking the time to talk to me about the label, they were just so supportive and I’m so grateful.”
Adelaide designer Liza Emanuele began her career working for Watt and Gross, and described Watt as a “pioneer of iconic Australian fashion”.
“His style and legacy will be remembered forever,” said a heartbroken Emanuele. “On behalf of women worldwide, thank you Harry for decades of style.”
In 2017 they were each appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Edwina McCann said Watt was a fashion icon who had made an impact both in Australia and abroad.
“They gave an elegance and sophistication to Australian women for four decades,” she said. “They really represented us well (overseas) during the decades and especially in the ‘80s.
“We at Vogue are very sad today that we are losing a great,” she said.
The Advertiser Foundation patron and former lady mayoress Angela Condous worked with Watt and Gross for over 30 years on countless charity events.
“Their legacy will live on and it was such a privilege to have worked with both of them,” she said.
“They were both very philanthropic and supportive of many charities over the years. He was so talented and above all, a gentleman. Harry was loved and respected and will be greatly missed by many people in Australia.”
Australian Fashion Labels co-founders Melanie and Dean Flintoft described Watt and Gross as a “huge inspiration”.
“They proved it is possible to grow an international brand from Adelaide and all of us in the industry here find that inspiring,” she said.
“Our heart goes out to George and their families.”
Watt’s longtime friend and former fashion editor at The Advertiser, Marina Hamilton-Craig, said the late designer was a “great South Australian”.
“He was talented and highly creative, but also very much an individualist, whose designs reflected not only major current trends, but also his own charming, and occasionally whimsical, personality,” she said.
“While great fun, Harry was also enormously kind and generous - both as a friend and as a member of the local and national community. He supported countless charity events, both with glamorous fashion parades and with donations of elegant garment as prizes for fundraising raffles and auctions.
“He was a great South Australian, who helped put SA on the national and international fashion map.”
