Jillian Harris: Practical Style, Elegant Design
Jillian Harris: Practical Style, Elegant Design
We talk to the young Interior Designer and former Bachlorette contestant about her laid back, practical approach to style, being on TV and future plans with her Design business.
Jillian Harris fits a lot of the cliches of a petite energetic women; firecracker, spitfire, even bundle of energy. Cliches aside Jillian has a great work ethic and pure artistic talent that ensures her a status as a bona fide designer and not a “celebrity designer” who’s popularity is based on fame and not talent.
Born in Peace River, Alberta, Canada Jillian was educated at BCIT for interior design and has a design resume that includes Cactus Club Café, Browns Restaurant & Bar, former Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky and most recently Jillian designed the rail car interiors for the Rocky Mountaineer train.
Being on the Bachelorette has definitely boosted Jillian’s name recognition, but Jillian told me she would be just as happy opening a design boutique where she resides in Kelowna BC and focus on her design work away from the spotlight and still feel fulfilled. Starting on January 10th Jillian’s new TV project is on HGTV’s Handyman Challange with fellow hosts/judges Mike Holmes, Scott McGillivray and Bryan Baeumler. Jillian plays referee, time keeper and in some cases comic relief to help cut tensions during the building and judging stages.
Jillian has a laid back approach to her personal style, she likes her denim and plaid with a nice boot to complete her look. Always on the move, being comfortable is a necessity for Jillian and plays a big part in how she approaches her style for the day. Layering is important to Jillian`s style, she likes to layer her button up’s with Tee’s a sweater or a light weight jacket, giving her a few different looks with one outfit through out the day. Personally I found her style ‘approachable’, she didn’t have on a lot of unnecessarily expensive items to show she has money or is a celebrity which may put herself on another level, but instead approaches her style with common sense and practicality. Stores like Aritzia, Yummy Kim(NYC), Urban Outfitters and Frye Boots are staples for Jillian.
That being said Jillian does have a sweet spot for high Fashion, saying she likes to go for a Jackie ‘O’ look when dressing formal because the former First Lady had such an eye for classic, timeless style. Jillian feels if she emulates Jackie’s style she will always be in best form with a simple elegant look that will always turn heads.
Whats in store for Jillian in 2012 … even Jillian doesn’t know. Jillian say’s she likes to think in 3-5 month blocks a likes not knowing where her life is heading and welcomes the adventures that pop up along the way. She tells me that there are some local projects she is working on, still a little “Hush,Hush” but we will update when she can say more.
Thanks to Clint Trahan from Shutter Dreams for shooting the story for Assignment Fashion Kyra Turek for styling, Emily Cheng for Hair and Make-up, Claudia Da Ponte for Art Direction and Alina Goldstein Duviner from HGTV for help putting this together.
