Malcolm Harrison

Born in Christchurch, Malcolm Harrison had planned to study art but was deflected into a window dressing apprenticeship at The DIC Department Store. He completed night-classes in pattern-making at Christchurch Technical College and from there began entering 'Gown of the Year' competitions. Catching the eye of fashion designer Colin Cole, Harrison was invited to come work with Cole in Auckland. Later, in 1970, Harrison opened his own boutique Jasper Johnson’s Jamboree.

Harrison transitioned to textile art over the next decade particularly quilting and needlework. His first quilt exhibition opened in 1979. Against several critics in both the art and craft world "[i]n 2004" Harrison "became the first recipient of the bi-annual Creative New Zealand Craft/Object Fellowship. It was the first accolade of its kind in New Zealand to recognise the creative field of craft and object making."

~ cited from New Zealand Fashion Museum