Holly Harp (1939-1995) captivated Hollywood with a rich hippie look in the 60s and enthralled New York with soft-clinging silk jersey designs. She was twice nominated for the Coty award. In 1968, she opened her eponymous boutique on Sunset Boulevard where rock stars like Janis Joplin and Grace Slick switched from jeans to Holly’s signature fringe vests and ombre dyed chiffons.
Through the collaboration of Jim Harp, her first husband, Decades Gallery assembled an impressive collection of Holly Harp designs from the 1960s to early 1980s. The majority of the collection comes from Ann Hoover, Holly’s house model, and Pam Paul, her very first client. Additional items come from Julie Belafonte, one of Holly Harp’s biggest fans who introduced her designs to good friends Mrs. Sidney Poitier and Mrs. Miles Davis. In the 70s her celebrity clientele included Goldie Hawn, Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand, and Angelica Huston, among others.
Although Holly’s clothing celebrates counter cultural flamboyance, the majority of her designs include soft flowing chiffon dresses. Holly said of her designs, “I took the construction out.” Thus her gowns are inherently soft and romantic. A master of jersey, a cornucopia of colors ranging from Rouge and Clove to Melon and Jade promises an unexpected rainbow of fashion.
Holly Harp created costumes for “Cabaret,” “Sleeper,” and “The Turning Point.” Her boutique became the center of a new style that eventually permeated throughout fashion. In its hey day, the boutique Holly’s Harp was the pinnacle of Los Angeles fashion. Once again, many contemporary LA boutiques are modeled after Holly’s popular independent, lifestyle destination local.
Holly Harp passed away at age 55 from cancer. Ten percent of all Holly Harp sales during the retrospective were donated to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
The items featured above, represent a sampling of the collections' entirety. Back To Main