This proudly Durban team creates cutting-edge fashion with a local spin that’s making an impression around the country and beyond
Brothers Laurie and Gary Holmes grew up in Durban, taking full advantage of the balmy conditions, surfing and hanging out on the beach.
The Holmes Bros story started when Laurie was 14 and couldn’t get anyone to shape the surfboards he wanted to ride. Eventually, in frustration, he started shaping his own boards in the garage of his family home. His ultra-thin wafers were an instant hit at the beach and soon he was shaping boards for all the boys.
A Holmes logo was developed for the boards and it was only a short step to putting it on to t-shirts and board shorts.
The brothers went on to study fine art and textile design at DUT, developing a serious interest in fashion. After a year travelling the world, Laurie headed home to make Holmes Bros a reality. Gary stayed on in London, where he opened the world’s first G-Shock store.
By 1999 the business had grown sufficiently for Gary to come back to SA and get involved. The brand then expanded to include a ladies range and was soon being stocked in stores countrywide.
Best known for their t-shirts – which take a quirky look at SA culture – Holmes Bros has a young fashion flavour that represents the multi-cultural demographics of our nation.
Quality is non-negotiable and the product range is designed and produced locally so that they are able to keep an eye on things. “Most prints are designed and screened in-house, so you won’t find them anywhere else,” says Gary.
Holmes Bros successfully participated in SA Fashion Week from 2003 to 2006 and has been featured in some of the world’s leading fashion magazines, including Drapers Record – London, Elle – US, Nylon – USA and Collezione Sport and Street – Europe.
Although the brand takes it inspiration from local sources, the brothers take regular trips to Japan and Europe to keep in touch with global trends. “The Japanese are such an inspiration,” says Laurie. “They’re the world leaders when it comes to trends and they know how to push the limits.”
“Although local design inputs are an important heritage of the brand, it is vital to keep abreast of international trends and design elements.
Holmes Bros is a marriage of the two worlds – local design, with international quality and execution,” says Gary.