A crasis of the initials of ‘Harry’ and ‘Alessandro’ and the onomatopoeic sound of the ‘laughing face’ emoji, the name of the collection pretty much sums up the essence of the creations and their close relationship. Their shared tendency to entertain child-like visions of oddities led to a playful take on romance, Michele mentioning that the visual entails “a mix of aesthetics from 1970s pop and bohemian to the revision of the image of the gentleman in an overturned memory of men’s tailoring”.

Heralding new visions of beauty and crafted with liberal codes devoid of fashion’s ritual complexities, jackets, coats, pants, shirts, and accessories exude the spontaneity of ease. Elegant yet generously emotive, moments of English tailoring use an eccentric Prince of Wales check to create double-breasted coats, the artisanal approach in design evident in the construction of jackets or in the details of covered and mother-of-pearl buttons of shirts.

Odes to times gone past contaminate one another in style, the creative duo’s input creating clothes that highlight formal developments of the historical significance of menswear. This is why alongside sartorial suits, treated denim jackets, and velvet suits in irregular hues, there is the unexpected presence of printed pyjamas and bowling shirts, lined coats with hoods and frog fasteners, and pleated kilts with leather regulating straps.

On Styles, Michele is quick to praise his authentic and candid approach to style. “Observing his ability to combine items of clothing in a way that is out of the ordinary compared to the required standards of taste and common sense and the homogenization of appearance, I came to understand that the styling of a look is a generator of differences and of powers, as are his reactions to the designs I have created for him, which he has always made his own,” he said. “These reactions restore me with a rush of freedom every time.”

Styles is no less enthusiastic about their long-awaited creative endeavour, since their friendship bloomed at a pivotal time for both of them — Michele at Gucci, and Styles as a solo artist. “I’m so happy to see this project finally come to life. I’ve known Alessandro for years now, and he’s always been one of my favourite people,” Styles said. “I’m always inspired watching him work, so doing this collaboration with my friend was very special to me.”

Fronted by Styles in the flesh and shot by Mark Borthwick, the spirited campaign of the Gucci HA HA HA collection pulls together a theatrical story of freeing the dressing for men, the serendipitous union of two individuals, and their avant-garde journey in friendship.

Click here to catch up with our November 2022 issue.