Meet the Team: Blair Trame
Hi ~ I'm Big Holiday Co-Founder, Blair Trame. Here's a little bit about me to help you get to know Big Holiday!
Personal Style
Dress For Your Day is my style mantra. This was the dress code at one of my former jobs, and it just made sense. Some days, I'm in a suit and tie with french cuffs, and, other days, I'm wearing seersucker shorts with a Big Holiday tee and my Clarks double buckle sandals.
Dress For Your Day takes into account the occasion, weather, and audience. In Seoul, we get all four seasons, including summers that reach 36 Celsius (the temperature as I type this) with 70% humidity and winters with temps in the negative teens. Also, I don't own a car, so I'm walking a lot to catch a bus or train. I sweat a lot, so clothes made of breathable natural fibers and layering suit me best.
At Big Holiday, we try to keep our labels low profile or just avoid them all together. When I was younger, I realized I'd never win the clothing labels rat race, so I just opted out and made no or minimal labels part of my personal style. As I've gotten older, I've learned the importance of fit. Some items just don't fit my body well, so I avoid them. Finding pants that fit my big thighs has always been a challenge. These days, I buy tailored pants or off the rack (from a shop or vintage store) and have them tailored.
To sum up my style, I like classic designs, natural colors, and well fitting clothes that fit my the forecast and my schedule.
Style Inspiration
My mother-in-law is my style inspiration. She has her own unique personal style that is consistent, but she's always incorporating little bits of current trends to keep things fresh.
She epitomizes Dress For Your Day - she's never under or over-dressed, always with the right amount of elegance or casualness. She's always dressed appropriately for the weather - whether it be a well tied scarf on a cold winter day, a cap when she's working in my sister-in-law's bakery, or light flowy clothes in the Seoul summer.
She's been all over the world and has pieces from all over the world, but her style still feels grounded in Korea. She stays true to herself, something we should all aspire to.
About Me
I live with my wife in Seoul - our home for over two years now. I'm a native of state of Kentucky in the US and lived in fashion capitals like New York and Hong Kong and fashion deserts like Washington, DC.
I love living in Seoul - the modernity juxtaposing the ancient is a treat for someone like me who hails from a young country like the US. I love the mountains in Seoul and across the Korean peninsula. I aspire to climb Korea's 100 tallest mountains - I recently climbed Cheonwangbong, the tallest peak on the Korean mainland. Still, 90+ peaks to go!
Traveling has brought me great rewards and personal growth including the opportunity to live in world class cities. I'm proud to have Big Holiday's footprint in the US, Korea, and Pakistan - my home, my adopted home, and my partner's home, a land oozing centuries of culture.
Why Start Big Holiday?
To start, for selfish reasons - I felt it was getting harder and harder to find clothes I liked, particularly clothes of natural fibers, quality construction, and classic design and fit that were price accessible. I found many people I talked to felt similarly. I hope we can fill that void.
I love the fashion of East Asia, particularly Seoul and Hong Kong. The combination of timeless and modern across four seasons (in Seoul, at least) is inspiring. I want to tap into that to create pieces my neighbors wear, and I want to get my fellow Americans out of athleisure and looking good again.
I feel great pride to wear and see other people wearing our clothes. It's something tangible that I haven't always felt in my professional career. Finally, I want to prove you can run a successful business while sticking to principles of treating people and the environment fairly.