Collaboration | Harem London & Hospital Rooms
Contemporary London based fashion brand Harem London has collaborated with arts and mental health charity Hospital Rooms.
The fashion brand as founded by Turkish sisters Dee Ozturk and Begum Ozturk is the meeting place of traditional Turkish techniques, quality fabric and an aesthetic that champions wearable contemporary clothing. Their garments are designed and made in their studio London’s Dalston.
Hospital Rooms is an arts and mental health charity founded by artist Tim A Shaw and curator Niamh White that commissions art for NHS inpatient mental facilities. It works with artists to renovate mental health hospitals, in order to turn them into more welcoming and warmer places for vulnerable patients with mental illness.
Harem London have created a limited-edition design for Hospital Rooms. A beanie with ‘evil eye’ design embellished beads is to raise money for a good cause with a nod to the Turkish influence of Harem London whilst communicating the importance of good mental health.
Only 40 of these beanies are available to buy.
We interviewed Harem London about the collaboration…
1. Why this collaboration?
As Harem London, we care so much about the mental health and giving back to the society. We always try our best to be involved in giving back to people as much as we can. Like previously, in the first pandemic we have been donating all our income from mask sales to support NHS.
Begum is a big fan of the London based charity Hospital rooms who collaborate with fine artists usually and create exclusive art for sale with an amazing purpose of donating to mental health hospitals. When Begum suggested we could approach them I was super happy. We are absolutely thrilled to be a part of this collaboration.
2. The story behind this?
When we met Tim, the co founder of the Hospital rooms, I was very excited as we come from the same college. We started talking about the importance of mental health and how everyone can go through really difficult times and each and every one of us can potentially end up in a severe situation. We talked about the importance of being able to openly talk about mental issues and reach out for help if we need it.We had a session of brainstorming about what we can contribute as a fashion brand.
So I came up with the theme that is also a big part of our own culture in Harem London ‘ to protect your mind from the evil eye’. I have decided to use our 100% organic cotton upcycled ribbing fabric to create exclusive beanies for this great cause and attach colourful evil eye beads on them to remind people to be positive and colourful when they feel down and feel protected from the bad energy. This way we can remember to keep positive thinking and block any bad energy that our mind can be affected from. Everything starts and finished in one’s own mind. It is essential to keep it safe.
3. The one thing to remember about this collaboration?
As well as this is for a great cause to help severe mental health patients, it is also a great way to spread positivity and colours in peoples everyday life with a part of our own culture.We made this collaboration possible and I think in life everything can be possible if we really want it.
4. Your thoughts on Mental Health and raising awareness for it?
As I mentioned above, mental health is key for a happy life. Self respect, positive energy and self love is the new success. Keeping our mental health positive and being able to talk about it is very very important. Nobody is perfect and it is great to be able to talk about our vulnerabilities. Seeking help when we need is the biggest step to move forward and win our inner peace.
5. How can we all support Hospital Rooms the mental health charity?
Please go to Hospital rooms website https://hospital-rooms.com and go to shop. With Everything you buy, you are donating to the charities hospital rooms work with. The exclusive HAREM beanies are there on this link https://hospital-rooms.com/new-products/harem there is only a limited number so be quick to get yours now online.
6. The last word?
Stay positive and know that we are all human and we all go through tough times. Don’t be shy to talk about your mental health, seek help and help others.
Thank you Harem London for the interview.
Shop the beanie here. More on Harem London and more on Hospital Rooms.