Life & Work with Phillip Robert Holmes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Phillip Robert Holmes.

Hi Phillip Robert, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey began at 19 – when I left home (Phoenix, Arizona) to move to Atlanta to pursue my undergraduate degree in Fashion Merchandising at Clark Atlanta University. After a few years in Atlanta, I received my degree and landed an internship with a New York-based showroom as a Stylist Coordinator. This position opened many avenues for me and allowed me to start freelancing. Subsequently, I was presented with the opportunity to work with the Kenneth Cole company, in addition to assist the head stylist for Marie Claire magazine. After a short stint in NY, I was offered a role as a Visual Stylist with Saks Fifth Avenue back in Atlanta. So, I packed my things again, and off I went. While in Atlanta for the second time, I decided to further my education and earn my Masters’s in Fine Art at the Academy of Arts in San Francisco. So, yet again, I found myself packing for another move! While in SF, I acquired my Master and obtained a corporate position with the Banana Republic as the Senior Stylist for Men’s and Women’s apparel. This role was fascinating and truly helped me fine-tune my skills and craftsmanship and presented me with many opportunities to network with key players responsible for driving the brand globally. After a few years with the Banana Republic, I was offered a role with the Australian-based company Cotton On. I acquired the position of Head Global Brand Stylist, and this time, myself moving about 8,000 miles away to Melbourne, Australia. After my two-year tenure with Cotton On, I decided to take a year off, travel Europe and start my freelancing Content Creation, Styling, and Creative Ideation company. Thus, bringing me to where I am today.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Lol, I wish…is there ever indeed such a “thing” as smooth? No, but in all seriousness, I would categorize my journey as not so much a struggle, but more so as a constant push of me trying to realize and achieve my greatest dream; the dream of owning my own Creative and Marketing consulting agency. Currently, I’m in the process of building, and it is a very humbling, character-building, and patience-required process. I am starting all over, acquiring new connections, building my brand, and gaining influence. It can sometimes be very discouraging and sometimes even contradictory, but I realize that the harder it gets, the closer I am to reaching my goals, as when one door closes, several more open. This journey takes constant prayer, focus, and discipline, but I know that in the end, it will be well worth it once I yield its many fruits. I pray that my story, once all said and done, will be an inspiration, providing encouragement and motivation for someone else, who is in fact, trying to do the very same thing.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What currently sets me apart is my marketing background, which allows me to pivot from being a stylist truly. I can dissect customer insight and build marketing strategies to help brands effectively reach and engage target customers. As well as creatively develop campaigns and rally teams to bring to life their vision. This allows me to tie together all my years of experience and create a compelling service to offer my clients, as well as for my own brand. Especially with my social media, it has allowed me to define my style and create unique branded content for some really dope brands; Daniel Wellington, W Hotel, Express, GQ, Walmart, Classic Hotels, and Brentwood Fitzroy. I am creating my brand without limits or boundaries, as I am my boss and have complete executive control of what I market and showcase on my social media outlets.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
One of my biggest tips that I live by, especially when it comes to networking, is to speak. It doesn’t matter to whom but if you are in a social environment, say hello to everyone; you never know who you may be connecting with. In terms of finding a mentor, I use my social platform to help me connect and seek guidance, especially if someone inspires me.

Contact Info:

• Email: PhillipRobertHolmes@gmail.com
• Website: https://philliprobertholmes.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philliprobert/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phillip.r.holmes.3/

Image Credits:
Images are by Dillon Ivory, Aubree Tippetts, and Jacqueline Trevino.