We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Braxton Holme. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Braxton below.

Braxton, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

In the beginning of my career journey, at times I would contemplate if going into a creative industry was the right move for me. I knew that I wanted to be successful and make enough money to sustain the lifestyle that I have always dreamt about. This worry really came into play during my final years of High School where most of my classmates were applying to Harvard and Yale in hopes of studying Law, Pre-Med and such. I decided to take a different route and applied to a local University for Fashion Design. It was at that moment when I made that decision that if I was going to take this step, I had to make the most of it. I knew I had to work hard to make a living and even harder to prove myself. I settled into the idea that I would much rather follow my passion and do what I love rather than just take on a position or go into an industry just because there would be guaranteed money in it.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

From a young age, I have always known that fashion was not only a way to find oneself, but to separate an individual from the massive surrounding world. Fashion and style for me are outlets of expression, a way for one to be themselves and tell another person their story using clothing and color.

Significant time has elapsed for me to become the person I am today. Growing up in an inner city area, it was difficult for me to shatter the mold that was created for me by relatives, peers and society in its entirety. I always knew that the possibilities originally presented to me were far less than I desired in life. I always aspired to be someone with a strong sense of self who took a stand to be cohesive with my beliefs. Years of adversity, frustration, and uncertainty have solidified my confidence that I have found what I was put on this earth to do. With previous experience and the knowledge I aspire to gain in the future, I hope to spread my love for fashion and the elements of it to the world.

My aesthetics center around British street wear. I choose to partner with individuals that are strong willed and principled. I enjoy styling looks that are playful, unique and shocking to the eye (keeping in mind that I am also very versatile in regard to my project selection). My favorite thing about styling is the transformation of my clients and the chance to bring out the inner confidence that they never even knew they had.

Fashion has always been a way for me to tell my story. Let me help you tell yours.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I believe that the very first step that could be taken in order for Society to best support artists is to initially see the value in our work. Many people look past the small attribute fashion, styling, and art as a whole brings to our daily lives. It reminds me of the scene from my favorite movie ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ where Miranda breaks down the the pathway of fashion from the very top all the way down to the clearance bin. Art is all around us. It shifts our mood, it helps motivate our thoughts and it helps us become who are. Shaping our personality and eventually who are.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I begin my journey of building resilience at the age of 16. Upon coming out to my family, I was forced to move out and figure out life on my own. I bounced around from different friend’s homes just looking for a place to lay my head and call home for just a short period of time. I worked 2 fulltime jobs at the same time as being a fulltime high school student. For some reason, during this time, I didn’t think much about it or took any time to really wollow in my own self pity. I hit the ground running. There was only one moment during this period of time that I thought to myself how unlucky I was. This was when it was time to plan my future and apply to college. Most kids have their parents there to assist with applications and to help make these major decisions. Instead, I was forced to figure it out all on my own. I remember once when I had to call my mother to retrieve information that was needed for an application and I was met with much anger and annoyance. I knew then that this was all left up to me and I could be the only one left to plan my future and create the life i wanted for myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.braxtonjholme.com
• Instagram: @braxtonjholme