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Meet Phillip-Robert Holmes of PhillipRobert Inc.

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

Phillip-Robert, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My journey began at 19- when I left home (Phoenix, Arizona) in order 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 positioned opened a lot of 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. Whilst in Atlanta for the second time, I decided to further my education and earn my Masters in Fine Art at the Academy of Arts in San Francisco. So, yet again I found myself packing for another move! Whilst, in SF I acquired by Masters and obtained a corporate position with Banana Republic, as the Senior Stylist for Men’s and Women’s apparel. This role was very fascinating and truly helped me to fine tune my skills and craftsmanship; as well as, presented me with many opportunities to network with some key players who were 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 role 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 own freelancing Marketing, Styling and Creative Ideation company. Thus, bringing me to where I am today.

Has it been a smooth road?
Lol, I wish… is there ever truly 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. At times it can be very discouraging, and sometimes even contradictory, but I am realizing 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.

Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I think what currently sets me apart is my marketing background, which allows me to truly pivot from not just being a stylist. I am able to dissect customer insight, 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 truly powerful service to offer my clients, as well for my own brand. Especially with my social media, it has allowed me to define my style and be able to create cool branded content for some really dope brands; Daniel Wellington, Forever 21, Express, GQ, Happy Socks, and Brentwood Fitzroy. I am creating my brand without limits or boundaries, as I am my own boss, and have complete executive control of what I market and showcase on my social media outlets.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Currently, there is such a huge focus on social media and for brands to have a digital footprint. This focus has pushed brands, especially fashion brands to create so much content in an effort to stay relevant and to drive their marketing via their digital channels. However, a lot of millennials and Gen Z’ers are disengaging due to lack authenticity and are choosing to create their own brands (cosmetics, fashion, and music), content or groups that they resonated with. I think this shift in the future will force brands who currently have a younger demographic to think differently, “outside of the box”, in order to stay authentic, and relevant enough to retain and engage these groups. Especially as Gen Z’ers come of age, as they are so socially aware, computer savvy and creative they will come up with their own avenues to acquire fashion, music, and culture. A prime example of this is what Rihanna has done with Fenty cosmetics, granted she already had the clout, but she saw an opportunity and disconnection between cosmetic brands and their product offering for women of color, in particular women with darker skin tones.

Pricing:

  • For content creation and branded content $500-$15000 depending on scale of project and content needed
  • Strategic Marketing Planning: Executive Summary, Competitive Landscape, Situation Analysis/SWOT, Strategic Positioning, Target Market, Brand Story Recommendations ( Umbrella/ Core messaging, Tonality and personality), Brand/ Marketing Objectives, Key Plan Pillars/ focus, Digital Strategy, Content Strategy – email for pricing breakdown

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
GQ photos were taken by Chris Queyen @chrisquyen

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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