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Malcolm Harris who took the fashion industry by storm with his previous collaborative line, Katsumi and Malcolm, has been designing both ready-to-wear and made-to-order fashion for more than 10 years. Mr. Harris is now continuing with his solo career under the brand Mal Sirrah (which is the designer’s last name spelled in reverse). Mr. Harris is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology as well as possesses a Master's Degree in English Literature from New York University. Mr. Harris embarked on his fashion career by apprenticing at various fashion houses throughout Paris, France including the ateliers of Paco Rabanne, Yves Saint Laurent and Jean Paul Gaultier. He later found himself working as a talented and much sought after fashion stylist, collaborating on various projects with the industry's celebrated photographers, models, hair/make-up artists and magazines. After a mere three seasons under his well fashioned belt, Mr. Harris’s new line, Mal Sirrah has been fortunate enough to garner major media and industry attention. The Mal Sirrah brand has been featured in various international newspapers, television shows, and fashion magazines. As Mr. Harris travels the world and meets with various clients, he says that his designs always find themselves catering to the basic needs and calls of a woman's wardrobe: exquisite designs, quality, fit, and fine fabrics. It is to these calls that Mr. Harris feels compelled to answer with beautiful clothes which are flattering, sumptuous and constructed with thorough and labored precision. The Mal Sirrah brand adorns the likes of Academy Award winning actress, Reese Witherspoon, actress/singer Jennifer Lopez, singer Joss Stone, actress Lindsay Lohan and superstar - MADONNA. His fashions can also be seen on a bevy of chic, hip and affluent women all over the world as Mr. Harris’ collection is currently being sold domestically and internationally in an exclusive number of high-end boutiques and department stores. Malcolm Harris is also the founder of “Designers for Darfur” formed in 2006 and co-founded by model and heiress Lydia Hearst. In association with Jeanne Beker of Fashion Television and the Save Darfur Coalition, DFD was launched via an unprecedented charity fashion show held during February 2007. Designers for Darfur has since grown to represent hundreds of international designers and the wider fashion community collectively banding together to show their commitment and solidarity towards ending the atrocity of genocide currently taking place in Darfur. According to Mr. Harris, “Saving Darfur is only the beginning – together I believe we can save the world. “ In 2007 the prestigious Yale University renamed their annual Sankofa Group award “The Malcolm Harris Trailblazer Award”. This amazing honor is awarded each year to the student that demonstrates the most dedication and hard-work via his or her charitable efforts in making a positive change in the world. Mr. Harris is a truly talented and gifted designer and humanitarian It is apparent that his Mal Sirrah brand will continue to build a solid customer base of loyal and faithful followers.
“What the media is saying about designer Malcolm Harris.” “Malcolm Harris has quickly become an inspiring talent, a new spirit and an enlightened voice within the fashion industry. I am sure that he will build an empire that will be equally as infectious and empowering.” Cathy Horyn, The New York Times “It is designer Malcolm Harris’ fearlessness when it comes to combining sustainability, fashion, technology and commerce that I believe will consistently separate him from the pack. Mr. Harris is truly a visionary.” Diane Von Furstenberg, Designer/CFDA President “The Mal Sirrah brand has become synonymous with Fashion 2.0. I am still amazed that when everyone else in the fashion industry found themselves relying solely on their own websites to drive online business, designer Malcolm Harris / Mal Sirrah had already begun paving the way via MySpace, YouTube and the entire blog community.” Mengly Tang, Women’s Wear Daily
“When a designer has celebrities from Madonna to Lindsay Lohan, socialites from New York to princesses in Dubai; not to mention corporate executives and United Nations ambassadors wearing his clothes, Malcolm Harris must be do something right – and more…” Jay Alexander, E! Entertainment Fashion Correspondent
“Not since the introduction of Kenneth Cole has another designer {Malcolm Harris} garnered the respect and admiration of the entire fashion industry both through his amazing design talents as well as his humanitarian and charitable efforts.” Jessica Golden, ABC News Reporter
“The Mal Sirrah line is simply beautiful. This is one of those rare and focused collections that women absolutely adore. It has all the key elements that translate not only for our North American customers but it possesses a definite global appeal that will also surely seduce our international consumers.” Catherine Dietline, Harvey Nichols International Buyer
Fashion Industry Rallies Around Darfur Show Raised Money to Help Prevent Genocide in Sudan By JESSICA GOLDEN Feb. 12, 2007 — - The fashion industry let its hair down Friday night and showed that true beauty is not just skin deep, even in the world of fashion. Wrapping up a jam-packed week of dozens of high profile shows, some of the top designers and models ended Fashion Week on a high note by attending a charity show that brought attention to the Darfur region of Sudan. The event, "Designers for Darfur," was born when designer Malcolm Harris and model Lydia Hearst decided to increase awareness of the horrific genocide taking place in the small East African country of Sudan. Harris, outfitted in a shirt reading "Darfur is Real, Don't wait for the movie," said his inspiration for the event came from knowing about the atrocities happening in another part of Africa and his will to make sure it doesn't occur in the Sudan. According to industry insiders, “Not since the introduction of Kenneth Cole has another fashion designer garnered the respect and admiration of the entire fashion industry both through his design talents as well as his humanitarian and charitable efforts.” "I was particularly moved by Darfur because after being well aware of the situation that happened in Rwanda it was almost like we had a blueprint of something that had already taken place, and this is even more horrific," he said. "I figured we could all get together and brainstorm solutions that could change this and help these people." In an industry obsessed with beauty, Harris had the trying task of informing those in the fashion industry about an area of the world that many people know little about despite the mass killings and wretched poverty affecting the area. "Initially it was a bit trying, only because there were still a great number of designers who have never even heard of Darfur. You become a bit disappointed in your tribe, so to speak," Harris said. David Rubenstein, president of Save Darfur Coalition, said he was overwhelmed by the event and its turnout, which greatly exceeded his expectations. "Tonight is about much more than just hair and clothing. The design industry is taking a huge leap forward," Rubenstein said. "Malcolm Harris had a fabulous idea and used his heart and soul to make it happen." Copyright © 2007 ABC News Internet Ventures
FASHION TELEVISION: Designing to Make a Difference
The Power of One Summary by: Sholeh Date Published: January 17, 2007
You may have recently noticed a story in the news "DesignersForDarfur" and on our website and television broadcast, it's an event on Feb 9th that will have designs from Vera Wang, Michael Kors, Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B, Donna Karan and Heatherette up for auction with all proceeds going to the SaveDarfur. Lots of celebs, socialites and media (FT is the official media sponsor) will be there to cover it and the night will raise lots of money and lots of awareness for the people who need it most. What you might not know is how amazing the man behind it is. I haven't met Malcolm Harris, the designer for Mal Sirrah, in person but I have watched him in action on tapes, listened to his interviews and gotten to know him through email over the past few months. In December he sent me an email telling me this event was something he was thinking of doing and wanted to know if FT was interested in coming on board to help (we said yes immediately). I don't think he's stopped since. There are so many causes vying for attention that, in a city as big and busy as New York, you can get lost in the shuffle. Designers For Darfur might have too if not for Malcolm. He gave up doing his own collection this season so he could dedicate all his energy to this. There have been some days when I've spoken to him that he's running on less than 4 hours sleep over a 48 hour period. Imagine trying to secure a location (for free), get designers to sign on board to participate in an event above and beyond their own show (for nada), get someone to produce the whole thing (for gratis), secure a place to auction off the clothes (yup, for nothing) and get celebrities to commit to yet another cause? Now try doing all that when so many people don't even know about the crisis in Darfur and you're a one man show. Not an easy task to say the least. It might be an uphill battle but the momentum is palpable and Malcolm's passion is contagious. On a conference call last week Malcolm said it was a photograph of a young mother who looked no more than 10 (a victim of rape) holding her baby who had been shot in the back that propelled him to action. When he spoke the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. We all believe that Malcolm’s passion and drive which also shows in his beautiful designs as well as the way he conducts his business, will allow Designers For Darfur’s volume to be so loud that the world won't be able to ignore it – nor the people of Darfur.