Spotlight Sunday · May 09, 2022

SPOTLIGHT SUNDAY// Tom Holmes

This week we caught up with Tom Holmes, The Director & Founder of Toms Trunks.

Tom's Trunks is a clothing brand that specialises in producing comfy loungewear, using sustainable materials and processes. Tom is passionate about producing the most sustainable beach and bed wear yet optimising comfort. A large part of their ethos is to protect and conserve our environment, their aim is to combat climate change by reducing plastic waste throughout the fashion industry and promoting the slow fashion movement.

Tom and his team started the #spreadthevibe project which is a gifting scheme, providing children suffering from a terminal illness in hospital with comfortable & colourful trousers pairs of Tom’s Trunks to children who are suffering in hospital with a terminal illness. Tom’s Trunks also gifts money to charity which he feels is a vital part of the brand. They give a percentage of every sale to their chosen charity: Tom’s Trust, also with the launch of their Kasa Towelling Robe range, Tom’s Trunks also decided to share a percentage of their profit with the Watamu Turtle watch. This charity does a multitude of different things which include, beach clean ups and a specialist rehabilitation Centre for sick and injured sea turtles.

So, without further ado, let’s shine our spotlight on Tom and his story

‘Tell us a little about yourself'

Hi, I’m Tom, 21 year old entrepreneur and student. In 2014 I founded Tom’s Trunks, a brand specialising in creating the most comfortable beach and bed wear whilst looking after the environment and those that inhabit it. Tom’s Trunks is primarily an online retailer with sales in the UK and overseas. We also are proud to have 2 pop-up trailers which travel around the UK during the British summertime.

My life revolves around travel exploration and learning. I love the outdoors and going where others don't. Alongside running Tom’s Trunks I work full time in the manufacturing industry and am studying for a degree in Business Management.

What inspired you to start Tom’s Trunks?

Whilst on holiday in Kenya I found myself with no shorts!! So I decided to go and buy some from the beach and discovered Kenyan kikoy. After trying them on and then wearing them day in day out, people started calling them Tommy’s Trunks. I bought 20 pairs over to the UK and started selling them to friends, I then started playing around with the colours and created the products we have today.

Being an eco-friendly and sustainable company, when creating a new product what considerations do you have to bear in mind?

Sustainability is at the core of our brand and I am always looking into new technologies which will reduce waste and improve the garment. I consider 4 main factors for creating and sourcing sustainably.

Design - How does the design utilise the fabric, reduce offcuts and last the test of time.
Raw Material Sourcing: We only source top quality natural materials with full traceability. Where possible we will source organic.
Processes: We aim to utilise automation, and seek out production facilities with renewable power. All dying processes are Azo free and we only use natural dyes.
Transport: We aim to reduce unnecessary travel by selecting suppliers with great transport links.

What do you love most about your job?

I love the events side of the brand, it is hard work but so much fun and I get so many ideas along the way.

What does your ideal long weekend away look like?

For me an ideal long weekend would be jumping in the van, heading down to Devon and spending as much time in the sea as possible, but If I am honest there really is not one place, I like to mix it up!

What's the best piece of advice you were ever given?

Be nice and never give up.

Do you have any specific goals you want to achieve this year?

I am incredibly keen to grow our online business by 50% and launch in the US.

What would you like your legacy to be? How do you want to be remembered?

From working in the UK manufacturing industry whilst running Tom’s Trunks, I have become fascinated by how we make things. My goal is to change the way in which we make things and promote sustainable supply chains.

What is top of your bucket list?

Having a hotel in space.

Your favourite Norfolk place and why?

My favourite space in Norfolk is to the back of Scolt Head Island, for me, it is somewhere where I can really switch and be completely at one with nature, there is something incredibly tranquil about the vast open beach that is there during low tide but gone on high tide.

Where can we expect to see Tom’s Trunks this year?

Thornham, Norfolk.