Photo By: Alex Harrison Magrath
Chris Harding
Founder | Creative Director
Chris Harding is a London-based creative whose work sits at the intersection of English heritage, North American boldness, and meticulous craftsmanship. A dual citizen of Canada and the UK, Chris’s roots trace back to Manchester and a grandfather who served in the Royal Navy during the First World War—a legacy of integrity, responsibility, and daring that serves as the moral compass for his brand.
For over two decades, Chris has lived a life defined by rhythm and style. As a celebrated guitarist and songwriter featured by BBC Radio and international festivals, he has spent his career on the stage, on the road, and in the studio. To Chris, music and fashion are inseparable; if music is the aural form of self-expression, style is the visual.
"I’ve always been drawn to the flair of my heroes on the stage and the silver screen. I realised early on that a hat is the ultimate exclamation point of a look. Get it wrong, and it’s a trainwreck—get it right, and it’s unparalleled."
As the founder of House of Harding, Chris channels this multidisciplinary energy into modern British fashion. He brings the same precision and storytelling instinct required of a songwriter to the design table, ensuring every piece honors the Harding name.
Every pursuit is an adventure, and every item is a personal commitment. By putting his name on every piece, Chris ensures that quality and spirit are never compromised.
Because while trends may shift, true quality never goes out of style.
Our Ethos
Respecting Tradition
House of Harding is a London-based fashion brand specialising in hand-made bespoke and ready-to-wear unisex hats.
Blending traditional American styles and techniques - that have been around for generations - with a refined expression of quintessential London style, House of Harding honours heritage and tradition, while also drawing from the present to shape the future.
If you have any questions or comments, or simply just want to say hello, fill out the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
For all press & media enquiries, or if you're a stylist interested in using House of Harding in a shoot or campaign, please contact us below with your details and a brief description of what you wish to speak to us about.
For wholesale or if you're a brand wanting to collaborate, we'd love to hear from you.
Fill out the form or write to us here.
Don't like e-mails? Feel free to call me at
+44 (0)7470 863 429.
Kindest regards,
Chris
HAT Rules & CARE
1. Do not leave you hat in a confined space or exposed to heat, and do not store your hat when wet as this will cause shrinkage and distort the shape of your hat.
2. Always handle your hat by the brim - never pinch your hat, or handle by the crown. This will prevent your hat becoming dirty, damaged and losing its shape.
3. When placing your hat down, always place it on a clean surface, and rest it upside down, on its crown - never flat on its brim. This will cause your brim to lose its shape and flatten.
4. When not wearing your hat, always place it upside down - on its crown, resting on a hat stand, or stored safely in a hatbox.
5. If you get caught in bad weather, and your hat gets wet - or of the sweatband becomes saturated with perspiration; always turn out the sweat band and rest it appropriately to dry naturally. Never try to assist your hat in drying or force dry. This will cause your hat to shrink and its shape to distort.
6. When cleaning your hat, always use a light-coloured brush, and brush the hat gently, in an anti-clockwise direction, towards the back, to remove loose dust and dirt. To remove light stains, use a clean, damp cloth - in more extreme cases, use a very light (320 grit or higher) sandpaper [on fur felt hats only*] - and gently rub, in an anti-clockwise motion, towards the back. When cleaning the underside of the brim, practice the same methods in a clockwise motion.
7. To clean the lining, first remove it from the hat, and lightly hand wash with a non-abrasive soap and leave to air dry.
8. Hatbands and trimmings are not a permanent aspect of the hat and can be customised or replaced.
9. The tradition of tipping one’s hat is rooted in the act bowing to show respect. Traditionally, a gentleman will tip his hat to a lady. Tipping ones hat to another gentleman, however, is considered poor manners and can even be taken as an insult.
10. It is traditional for a man to remove his hat indoors, in private places. Hotel lobbies and hallways, however, are considered public. One unique distinction is inside a lift, as it is considered a private space - this goes back to the days of lift operators - and, as such, you would consider it their office.
11. A gentleman should always remove their hat once seated at a table, however, the bar is considered a public space and does not require one to do so.
12. If you’re in transit, your hat should remain on regardless of the method or openness of transportation.
13. Never place your hat on a bed as it is believed it will bring you bad luck. Furthermore; never rest your hat brim-side down, as it is said all of your luck will run out.
14. Women mustn't abide by the same rules as men, and can wear their hat as they please.
15. Never leave the house without your hat!