Artist and Designer: Fleur Harris
Fleur Harris. Fleur is an artist, designer, mother, and businesswoman whose creative journey is nothing short of inspiring. With a Fine Arts education in Australia and Italy, Fleur has built a global brand from her Melbourne studio, where she lives with her husband, Dave, and their son, Bails. Fleur’s work embodies passion, attention to detail, and a commitment to making the world a more beautiful place. She believes in the power of kindness, social justice, and animal welfare, values that shape her designs and decisions. Fleur’s dedication extends beyond her art—she regularly donates her time, work, and profits to charities like Challenge, The Great Barrier Reef Foundation, and Sea Shepherd. Her imaginative designs and commercial savvy have made her a household name in children’s interiors and fashion. From her own children's clothing label (fleurharris.com) to her iconic wallpaper collections with Milton & King, featured in homes around the world, to her 6 year long partnership with Adairs Kids, Fleur has set new standards in children’s lifestyle products. Her 14th bedding collection recently released with Adairs Kids is just the latest in a series of beloved creations that continue to captivate families. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Fleur is a passionate vintage shopper and DIY enthusiast, breathing new life into forgotten treasures. Her eye for interiors is unmatched, blending high-end pieces, quality basics, and rich colour palettes to create spaces that are both beautiful and unique. Currently, Fleur is taking on her biggest project yet—a full renovation of her 1908 Edwardian home. As she transforms this historic space, she continues to inspire young women to pursue their passions, create with purpose, and make a positive impact on the world. Fleur Harris isn’t just building a brand; she’s building an inspirational legacy of creativity, compassion, and magical possibilities.
Can you describe your artistic style and how it has evolved over the years?
Highly detailed, intricate patterns that are bursting with magical characters inspired by the animal kingdom, flowers foliage and treasures. My work has a timeless, storybook feel to it. I studied Fine Arts at Monash University and explored many different creative mediums and styles. Over the years I have refined my aesthetic into the signature Fleur Harris style that you see today.
What initially inspired you to pursue a career in art, and how did you get started in the field?
When I was choosing my subjects for year 12, I could have chosen subjects that would rank higher and help me get a better entry score - instead I chose subjects that I was passionate about; art photography and graphic design. This made my year 12 experience incredibly enjoyable, rather than stressful, as I was studying subjects I truly loved. Following my passion for creativity has always guided my decisions. It led me to study Fine Arts, even though there were no obvious job prospects waiting at the end of that degree - being an artist is not a straight forward or easy career path! But I remained focused on what I loved doing, and that unwavering dedication to my passion has led me to where I am today - living a life fully immersed in creativity and enjoying a hugely satisfying career that I have created for myself.
Can you walk us through your creative process, from concept to finished artwork?
I like to get stuck into the making, as the process of creating is what I truly enjoy, often more than the outcome. So I don't spend a lot of time conceptualising. I get an idea in my head and I may do a quick, very rough sketch, but I tend to jump straight into working on the finished product. Sometimes it doesn't work out, the art might not look good or the idea turned out to be a bit silly, and that's ok, I just keep going and move onto the next project. My final artworks are always different. Sometimes I am building a giant sculpture and sometimes I am creating a digital artwork. I don't limit myself to any mediums or ways of being creative - I enjoy all of it!
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career as an artist, and how have you overcome them?
When you are trying to make a career as an artist, you really have to fly your own flag. You have to work hard to put your work out in the world, and you're not always met with the response you were hoping for. People may not like what you're doing, or may not even reply - that happened to me so many times over the years and so I became very resilient to rejection. These days I embrace rejection, I see it as a form of redirection, and I keep moving forward and following my passion. With hard work and perseverance, the stars always align where they should in the end.
How do you stay motivated and inspired, especially during times when you might experience creative blocks?
I take breaks from my creativity all the time. In my twenties I took a two year break from painting - I just didn't feel like doing it. I immersed myself in other creative outlets like sewing and making little funny looking soft toys. Sometimes I'm just not in the mood to be creative, and that's when I let myself step away from it. Rest for the mind and body is important - so I give myself time for that when I need it. I go through bursts of creativity and focus, and I go through period where I just feel like being in nature and going for a really long bushwalk. There are times when I have to push through when there's a lot of work to do, but at the end of those periods I allow myself to recharge - I get a massage or go to bed really early and read a book.
What was your first big break?
As well as Fine Arts, I studied Interior Design, Teaching and Illustration. When I graduated from my illustration diploma, we had a graduation show. I won a prize at the show which was awesome, but was what even better was the email I received a few days later. It was from a man called Tony Zammit, who was the Creative Director at Smiggle. He had been at the graduation show and seen my work and asked me if I would create the art for Smiggle's Christmas Campaign that year. It was my first really big corporate job. I felt daunted by it, but I gave it my very best shot. Tony was so happy with my work and his experience working with me that he put me forward to be an in-house artist at the Just Group (the company that owns Smiggle), and that job started my career as a full-time artist. I learnt so much in that role and many of those learnings I still carry with me today.
How has your background and education influenced your work and career trajectory?
I mentioned earlier that I studied Fine Arts, I studied Interior Design, Teaching and Illustration. Each one of those courses, and each of the jobs that I have had, have taught me different things that help me enormously in the work I do today. For example, I taught high school art part-time for two years after I graduated from teaching, and that taught me valuable lessons about mentoring and managing people, which was invaluable when I was later in a corporate role as Head of Design managing teams of designers. All the experiences I've had have come together to fill my took kit with a wide range of skills that I often draw upon.
Can you share a collaboration that you’re especially proud of and explain how it came about?
Often, when brands collaborate, they might do one or maybe two collections together. My partnership with Adairs started six years ago, and we have recently released our 14th collection together. I love working with their team and the ranges we bring to life together are really beautiful. I hear and read so many stories from families about how much they love the ranges and that has become a special form of inspiration for me each time we create a new collection. Bringing joy to people's lives through creativity is so special. It's why I do what I do.
What role does social media play in your career?
My Instagram account @fleurharris is where I share my creative journey. I share the highs and lows, and have attracted a wonderful community of people to my page. They are the loveliest people, they're from all over the world and they're so supportive. I spend a lot of time creating content for my community and it plays an important role in helping people feel connected with me and my brand.
What advice would you give to students wishing to become full-time artists?
Create whatever you feel like creating and explore all the different ways you feel like making art. Have fun experimenting, making mistakes and starting again. It's what a creative life is all about. People will say no, or ignore you, or even put you down - just keep following your heart and your passions. Work hard and you will end up where you are meant to be.
Franc’s Fast Five
What’s your go-to snack while creating art? Dark peppermint chocolate.
If you could instantly master any new skill, what would it be? Singing.
What’s one song that always gets you in the creative zone? Rolling in the deep by Adele.
If you could live in any fictional world, where would it be? A fairyland at the bottom of the garden, where I would wear a bluebell as a hat sleep in a leaf hammock!
What’s a quirky habit you have when you’re working on a piece? Singing.