Good Morning Britain stylist Debbie Harper says ‘I never wake up and think I don’t want to go to work’

Good Morning Britain stylist Debbie Harper has worked with some of the biggest names in breakfast television for over 20 years. The head of GMB’s wardrobe and makeup department began her fashion journey at a local theatre as a dresser whilst studying at Wimbledon School of Art to be a qualified costumier, creating garments. During that time, she worked as a costume designer’s assistant behind the scenes for television dramas and TV advertisements. It was then where Debbie realised that she didn’t want to be a costumier and was more interested in styling on films and dramas.

Debbie later made the switch into television where she secured her first role. “I was really lucky in that I got a job working on This Morning. Looking after Richard and Judy as an assistant to the designer and I did that for a year.” An opportunity arose on This Morning in the fashion department as a stylist. Debbie went on to say “The girl that was doing the job left and I got the job. That’s when I started as a stylist. Which is similar to costume, in that you are not making [clothes] but I was dressing the presenters. I had such a brilliant time. I loved it so much.” After her time on ITV’s This Morning Debbie got a job at Good Morning Britain’s wardrobe department, where she then got the role as Head of Wardrobe and Makeup. “It’s something that I love to do, I’m very lucky in that I wake up in the morning and although we work difficult hours. I never wake up and think I don’t want to go to work. I’m really, really lucky.”

Good Morning Britain viewers not only tune in every morning to get their daily dose of the latest news, weather, debates and entertainment stories but also keep a close eye on the presenters choice of style. Their ensembles tend to be colourful, professional, elegant but yet playful. “You very quickly learn what style the presenters like. When we get clothes that come in we’ll know. I’m very lucky I’ve got two assistants. We will know what is a Kate Garraway dress, a Charlotte Hawkins dress, a Laura Tobin dress. In one way it’s quite straight forward with the sizing. We know which brands do the size that fits them and then on the day, we try very hard to make everybody look pleasing to the eye when they are together and on screen.”

Debbie and her team choose to dress the presenters in quality pieces that will last. She said “We don’t use a lot of designer clothing. I prefer that the viewers can afford to buy the clothes they see. We might use a higher end of the high street, but I like to show that if you save up that little bit more to get something that’s a bit more expensive, which will last you longer and you’ll probably wear it over and over again.” Styling presenters for a live television programme comes with challenges. Debbie explained, “Sometimes we have little hiccups where they might change their minds at the last minute and wear something else. Or the garment we thought fitted didn’t. Sometimes zips have broken because they have been faulty. I style the men as well. So, Richard Arnold, Alex Beresford, Sean Fletcher and Dr Hilary.”

The pandemic changed the world, including the fashion industry which saw a boost in online shopping as high street shops closed. “Lockdown was a little bit trickier because all the press and PR companies were closed down in the first lockdown so there was no one there and we could not borrow samples.” Debbie added “During the pandemic we weren’t coming in in the morning, only in the afternoon. Clothes were lined up in their rooms. There were only two presenters so complimenting each other was really easy. We just adapted. There was less available because obviously the shops were closed. But then a lot of people just shifted everything online, so we just continued shopping online which actually was quite easy really.”

The presenters wear their garments more than once and from there Debbie sends the clothes to Smart Works charity. Which is a UK charity that provides high quality interview clothes to unemployed women in need. “Anything we buy and the presenters have worn it a few times goes to charity. We’ve sent quite a lot of things to a company that helps women when they are going back to work because all our stars work very well for work wear. A lady will come along and say that she’s going for an interview and they will give her an interview outfit.”

Sustainable fashion is recycled clothing protecting both the environment and those producing garments by being upcycled to be worn again. Debbie said “Laura and I do like sustainable brands. We are trying really hard to be a little more sustainable, so they do wear their clothes more than they normally would. And If I’m putting it on Instagram I will put a hashtag reworn, so people know that it has been worn before and that means that they might not be able to buy at the shops.”

Good Morning Britain weather presenter Laura Tobin said “Debbie is the eyes to the show. I love that everyday we have this wonderful array of lovely clothes to pick from.” Laura explains “Debbie is like our work mum, she is our everything really because if you don’t look and feel great going on air you are not going to be able do your job well. Debbie was there when I had my baby. She kept me really calm, she took me to hospital and was there until my husband got to the hospital. I owe a lot to Debbie.”

Shelley & Michelle xx