James Holder (businessman)

James Holderis co-founder of fashion brand Superdry.

James Holder
Born
James Michael Holder
NationalityBritish
OccupationBusinessman
Known forFounder of Superdry

According to The Sunday Times Rich List, he has a net worth of £199 million.[1]

Early life

Born in Studley, Warwickshire , he was brought up in Stratford-upon-Avon and went to college in Leamington Spa where he studied graphic design.[2][3] As a teenager, he enjoyed reading comics.[3]

Holder started his career in fashion, selling T-shirts from the back of his mother's car at BMX events.[2] He went on to found the skateboarder label Bench.[2] Failure of the business led to bankruptcy in 1998.[2]

While running Bench, Holder met Julian Dunkerton, who made a large order of Holder's products.[3] They later travelled to Japan together before founding Superdry.[4]

Career

In 2003, Holder co-founded Superdry with Julian Dunkerton as a market stall in Cheltenham.[5] In 2004, it opened its first physical store in Covent Garden, London.[6][5] Holder was responsible for clothing design and brand development at the company.[7]

Holder said that he and Dunkerton spotted a "huge gap" in the UK men's market.[8] He has said that the initial inspiration for the brand was Dunkerton's love of Americana and his love of Japan and typography.[8][3]

In 2005, Superdry experienced a period of growth after David Beckham was seen wearing the brand.[2]

In 2010, the business was floated.[6] Holder led Superdry's product innovation division until 2016.[9] Holder also led SuperDesignLab, which was responsible for launching spin-off brand Superdry Sport.[10]

In 2016, Holder resigned from the company, but continues to hold a stake in Superdry.[6][7]

In 2018, Holder joined fellow co-founder Julian Dunkerton in criticising Superdry's business strategy, claiming that it was unable to compete with ASOS.com.[6][9][11][12]

Personal life

He lives with his wife Charlotte, a lawyer, and their son and daughter.[2][13]

References
  1. "Login". login.thesundaytimes.co.uk. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  2. Strachan, Ian (26 January 2017). "Rich List 2017: No.27 – James Holder". birminghampost. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  3. "James Holder on creating fashion brand Superdry – DesignCurial". www.designcurial.com. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  4. Anthonymcgrath405 (15 May 2014). "The Superguy from Superdry, James Holder – Textual Conversation". CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  5. "Subscribe to read". Financial Times. Retrieved 13 February 2019. Cite uses generic title (help)
  6. Hipwell, Deirdre (23 October 2018). "Second co-founder pours scorn on Superdry strategy". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  7. "Resignation: Superdry co-founder James Holder steps down as brand and design director". sportswear-international.com. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  8. "The guy behind Superdry". Esquire Middle East. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  9. Brown, 23 October 2018By Harriet. "Superdry co-founder weighs in on strategy debate". Drapers. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  10. "Q&A with James Holder, Superdry Head of SuperDesign Lab and Co-Founder". UK Fashion B2B Magazine. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  11. "James Holder Asos Boohoo.com defend Cheltenham-based Julian Dunkerton Superdry warning Times". www.punchline-gloucester.com. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  12. "Second Superdry co-founder speaks out against the company's strategy". The Industry. 23 October 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  13. "Holder Design Limited". Companies House. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
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