Holly Turner — The Fierce & Phenomenal Holly T.

Welcome back to Threadlines, our monthly blog that celebrates the extraordinary individuals who bring Mansawear to life. This December, we are thrilled to feature the energetic, loyal, and phenomenal friend — Holly Turner, who also happens to be celebrating her birthday this month!

Holly and I first met in 2009 at the now-closed Carlson YMCA in downtown Rochester, during the early morning Run n Ride class. What began as a shared workout routine soon turned into a lasting friendship. Over the years, Holly evolved from student to instructor, fearlessly leading us through her heart-pumping Tabata boot camps.

Even during the quiet, uncertain days of COVID, Holly’s dedication never wavered — she kept moving, shifting from competitive speed skating to swimming. And in 2023, her drive paid off when she competed in the USMS Spring Nationals placing in her age group for the mile swim.

What I love most about Holly is her fierce commitment to every cause she embraces. She pours her heart into everything — whether it’s serving refugees through Catholic Charities or caring for animals as the self-proclaimed “laundry lady” at the Verona Street Animal Shelter. 

That same compassion was on full display in 2013, when Mansawear first opened its doors. Holly didn’t just cheer from the sidelines — she grabbed a paintbrush, scrubbed floors, and helped bring the boutique to life.

 

A woman of constant reinvention, Holly also made a personal commitment to her health — choosing a vegan lifestyle over medication to manage her cholesterol. And, as if that wasn’t enough, she decided to learn the banjo a few years ago — you can often find her strumming away with local Old Time groups.

By trade, Holly is an engineer who transitioned through many roles at Xerox, software developer, tester, project manager, Six Sigma black belt and Information Security. After retiring, she traded in office meetings for something simpler and more grounding — working in the produce section at Wegmans. As she puts it, she wanted “to haul boxes of bananas" instead of spreadsheets.” But anyone who knows Holly knows she can’t go long without her beloved communities—Just for Giggles (cycling), Run n Ride (running), USMS Masters Swimming.

 

Holly’s boundless energy extends far beyond her professional life. She’s a devoted wife to husband Russ, mother to daughters, Kelly and Paula, and doting grandmother to her grandson, Lawrence, whom she visits in North Carolina several times a year. Her love doesn’t stop there — her fur-babies in Buffalo also receive plenty of grandma’s affection and attention.

 

An early supporter and true Mansawear muse, Holly has been wearing our designs since 2012 — and continues to turn heads with her signature Mansawear mashups. Her ability to blend pieces across seasons and years is a masterclass in timeless style.

Join us in raising a glass to Holly Turner — a remarkable woman, friend, and sister-friend. Wishing you another year filled with health, joy, and adventure. And to her husband Russ, ever her biggest cheerleader — thank you for being by her side through every stride, swim, and song.

 

🖤To see Holly’s favorite Mansawear styles, check out the Fugu Kente Jacket and other made-to-measure pieces at this link.