Jul 29, 2020
In conversation with Layra Harmony Creative Director and Fashion Stylist…
Working with high-end designer brands including; Dolce and Gabbana, Hugo Boss, Burberry and Paul Smith!
This week on The Entertainment Engine, we speak with creative fashion director and stylist — Layra Harmony based in London.
Layra is an internationally published Creative Director and Fashion Stylist. Her work has been featured in various glossy magazines including Marie Claire, L’Officiel, Hollywood as well as in commercial publications.
Layra has well-established partnerships with elite model management agencies and high-end designer brands such as;
Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry, Paul Smith, Hugo Boss and more.
Click on the podcast link below to catch the full podcast chat with Layra and BeX co-host of The Entertainment Engine, available now to downland on all your favourite platforms;
Layra is originally from the picturesque mountainous Northern Caucasus, one of the most ethnically diverse regions in the world.
Since early childhood, she has enjoyed various artistic and creative activities.
Layra started dancing classic ballet at the age of 4 and moved into ethnic dancing, later on, becoming a dance artist of the renowned dance company Lezginka and performing on big stages nationally & worldwide.
At a point in her life, she moved to Israel to study. During her Sports Sciences degree, she started working as a health & fitness expert as well as a nutrition consultant.
Following this degree, Layra studied in Sackler School of Medicine; medical sciences research with a focus on molecular biology and biochemistry.
In parallel, she was working as a cardiac physiologist in Sourasky Medical Centre in Ihilov hospital.
This is when Channel 9+ invited her as a guest speaker to their ‘Good Morning’ TV show to talk about the impact of physical activity on our hormones of happiness Serotonin & Endorphin.
Nine years on, Lyra is in the UK developing and building her business. In 2010, she had a random opportunity to participate in a fashion editorial photoshoot for a US magazine.
It was her first-ever experience in the industry.
This photoshoot became her inspiration for a new hobby which naturally developed into a full-time career.
A year later, in April 2011 she applied for a brand new BA degree ‘Creative Direction For Fashion’ in London College of Fashion, University Of The Arts.
During the interview, it appeared Layra was overqualified’ — ahead of the other applicants; portfolio and experience.
So her final decision was not to proceed with the degree and continue progressing with her way, along with the then full-time job.
In March 2012 she produced her first fashion editorial which also was her first-ever published work.
Layra assembles outstanding photoshoot production crews from her wide network of highly skilful artists: photographers, make up artists, hairstylists, dancers, musicians and assistants.
She organised and art directed crews of 10 to 20 members, orchestrating the productions.
Layra appeared as a guest judge for the Best Dressed Lady competition in Dubai International Arabian Horse Race and as a panel judge in Tel Aviv — Riga Festival.
In addition, as a brand consultant, she sourced British designer brands for the Fit For Fashion reality show.
Layra also styled celebrities for front covers and editorial features including the Profesional Boxer Antony Joshua, Dolce & Gabbana model David Gandy and Victoria Secret Model Alicia Rountree, as well as produced and art directed the photoshoots.
By Peter Moore
