Joshua Holder is a man who wears many hats, and we’re not just talking about his incredible accessories collection.
From vintage fashion vendor to designer of upcycled clothing, Holder has turned his childhood interests into a career that can’t be confined to any conventional box.
Growing up in Denham Springs, he was “obsessed” with such disparate diversions as pop culture, art, history and science. He collected vintage treasures even at a young age, relishing the thrill of the hunt.
“The real fun was researching the item and finding when it was made and its origin,” he says. “Garage sales, antique shops and thrift stores were always playgrounds for my imagination.”
Fast-forward to 2004, when—after studying art and history in college and selling items from his vintage collection—he took over as manager of Time Warp Boutique. He transformed the shop’s inventory from a random mix of vintage clothes to a carefully culled selection focusing on early inspirations for current trends.
Holder’s enthusiasm for vintage fashions and fabrics also led him to start his own line of clothing and accessories using repurposed materials and notions. The skirts, pillows and other eye-catching items that are produced under his label of H.I.P. Vintage draw inspiration from Holder’s knowledge of fashion’s finest eras, but each piece offers a twist that’s distinctly up-to-date.
In March, Holder became Time Warp’s owner, and the store—now the largest vintage clothing shop in the state—continues to evolve to meet changing styles and clients’ demands.
“I love Baton Rouge, and I believe the people here are as colorful as the great vintage fabrics of the ’60s and ’70s,” Holder says. “Everyone here has their own story to tell and point of view, and I feel that one by one they are starting to dress the part.”
