For designer Kasiah Harrison, fashion isn’t just about clothing; it’s about empowering individuality and celebrating artistry. Delirium Dreaming, their fashion (and soon-to-be home decor) brand, was built for those who think and express themselves outside the box.
Harrison had a creative, entrepreneurial spirit from a young age, launching multiple T-shirt and hoodie brands throughout high school and college. It wasn’t until watching the television series “Making the Cut” that they had a true moment of inspiration, seeing the possibilities of manufacturing and the freedom of design.
Delirium Dreaming had a slow metamorphosis into what it is today. Harrison invested $1,500 into a small run of pieces and samples, but they didn’t see true momentum until receiving a sample of the Omen pants and pitching the piece to up-and-coming musician Aries. Featuring a black-and-white printed design with barking Dobermans and Rottweilers—like the movie “The Omen”—these pants were the brand’s best sellers for an entire year, selling out in days, hours and minutes with each consecutive drop. “At first, I did not want to give up my only pair to Aries,” Harrison admitted. “But I went out on a limb and took a risk that I truly do not regret.”
For Harrison, Delirium Dreaming goes beyond aesthetic—it’s about creating art and offering an immersive experience. “My brand’s mission is to empower all the weirdos and style icons who dress and think differently,” they said. “You have to beat to a different drum to wear my pieces, and I want people to embrace it. I want to be the Gentle Monster of fashion.”
When it comes to inspiration, Harrison looks to those who defy the laws of fashion and pioneer personal expression through their designs—fashion visionaries like Virgil Abloh, André Leon Talley and Michèle Lamy, who never fit into a box.
Art history is another major influence for Delirium Dreaming. “The Baroque period speaks to my soul,” Harrison shared. “One of my most popular pieces, the Murked trenchcoat, features artwork by Artemisia Gentileschi, one of my favorite painters.” Art is always present in the brand’s designs—whether as a vehicle for storytelling or as a representation of Harrison’s pure appreciation for fine art. They also collaborate with artists outside of fashion, including Korean artist @soft_spine, who designed the brand’s logo and whom Harrison hopes to one day partner with for an installation.
Reflecting on the milestones that have shaped Delirium Dreaming, Harrison points to a few defining moments. “Being at New York Fashion Week in my first year of business, being stocked at Urban Outfitters—and all of my future projects.”
Delirium Dreaming’s latest collection, Project Mundane, began with a question: “What would crusaders and knights wear in the modern day on their day off?” The line draws inspiration from Catholicism, medieval motifs and the film “Conclave.” For Harrison, the collection photoshoot was all about bringing this vision to life. “The photo studio matched the aesthetic I was looking for, with oriental rugs and Middle Eastern music playing,” Harrison shared. “I chose my models to reflect Orientalist paintings. And Ty McColley, my photographer, executed the painterly aspect perfectly. We didn’t even need to edit the photos; the lighting and studio were perfect.”
In addition to designing for Delirium Dreaming, Harrison has always been passionate about elevating creative voices. In 2023, they launched Dreemz Magazine, where they feature up-and-coming artists in Philadelphia, London and Kyiv—many of whom Harrison discovered at fashion events and on social media. “When I admire someone’s passion, hard work and effort, I would like to give them any platform I can offer,” Harrison said. “I usually DM them asking if we could work together, and we tend to collaborate. The reason this is so important to me is because we all have a dream, so why not help each other make that dream a reality?”
Looking ahead, Harrison hopes to host an in-person pop-up in New York and create an immersive experience of their own. “I’m thinking of making it dream-themed,” they said. “But I will say nothing more—my lips are sealed.”
