An Interview with Harry Nicholson

Photo by Sophie Wray.

Riffs and Runway isn’t just a website, nor can it just be minimized to a magazine or even an app. It’s two University students who want to share their opinions and experiences with any who want to listen. And when Riffs interviewed Runway to get an idea of where he stood in regards to the build-up of this project, emotions were flying perilously high. We’d just watched “Better Man”, and I had been crying.

With that said though, it was time for business. Questions to be answered, queries to be considered, and to discuss the concerns of us being “shit”. The first point of discussion was concerns headed forward, which is potentially a pessimistic way of opening an interview but if there’s one thing I love about working with Harry, it’s taking him by surprise. He raised great points though, “We’re still very new to this, we’re still learning” being the first thing he said in response, which is true. But any apprehensions felt by Runway about going forward are “made better by working with a partner”. Perhaps the most important point raised, however, is that both he and I “click the same way as

fashion and music do”. It’s almost like someone should do something with that connection.

Both Harry and I come from opposite ends of England. But where we’re from undeniably shapes us going forward. When quizzed about this, Harry’s face lit up more than it did when talking about concerns. Which doesn’t surprise me. “Liverpool’s musical significance is immense, me and my family are always singing and dancing around”, which was nice to hear. Liverpool’s fashion scene is undeniably less known than its music scene however, which is to be expected when your city is home to greats such as The Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers and Echo and the Bunnymen. “The fashion scene in Liverpool is quite a trend centric, you see one person wearing something and everyone wears it. Mainly a lot of sportswear, casual comfy clothes”.

It wouldn’t be a conversation around fashion if we didn’t discuss fashion inspirations, as in a world run by internet and media obsession, we’re all looking for trendsetters. Or to be one. Admittedly it wasn’t a surprise when Robbie Williams’ name came up, though I initially became concerned he meant Williams in the “Rock DJ” music video. He

thankfully didn’t. Though music videos did come up as ideas for inspiration, which for a pair of young adults who grew up on a diet of watching our favourite artists on VEVO won’t go down as the twist of the century. Street inspiration was also discussed, with Harry telling me how he doesn’t discriminate between genders, saying “If I saw a

woman wearing a really cool outfit, I would always try to replicate it”. With mixtures of leather, denim, long cotton coats and tie-belts he’s certainly not afraid to push the status quo off its pedestal in fine fashion.

But ultimately, what can you expect to see from him? According to the man himself, “madness”. But past that, education, particularly the issues that fast fashion presents to the world in the 21st century with a particular emphasis on enlightening people. Overall, Runway tells you “To be excited”. According to me? I’d be a fool not to say the same.

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