Meet Nikolas & Markus Fernandez | Founders of Classical Waves

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikolas & Markus Fernandez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikolas & Markus, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
Growing up in Miami, the ocean was like our backyard. We were always either out fishing, surfing, or just hanging at the beach with our family and friends. Our parents used to take us on these early morning fishing trips, and that’s where we learned to love the water and everything about it. Miami’s vibe, with the skate and surf culture, shaped us into who we are. So, when we started Classical Waves, it wasn’t just about making cool t-shirts—it was about repping that lifestyle. Something that represented family, friendship, positivity, and freedom.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Classical Waves is deeply rooted in our love for the ocean and the Miami lifestyle. The journey to get here hasn’t been easy. Building a brand from scratch comes with its share of challenges, from perfecting our designs to managing the business side of things. We’ve learned a lot about resilience and the importance of staying true to our vision. Overcoming these obstacles required a lot of hard work, dedication, and the support of our parents, who have been instrumental in our success.

Once we had our branding, we dove into researching the best materials for outdoor use and sun exposure, figuring out how to manufacture our products, market them effectively, and deliver them to our customers. It’s been a steep learning curve, but we’re loving it. We’re very hands-on with the manufacturing process and have high expectations for the quality we provide. We’ve faced challenges like printing errors and design flaws, but these experiences have taught us a lot and helped us refine our approach.

Our brand embodies a distinctly “Miami” vibe, with a color palette inspired by the ocean’s blues and greens and the city’s grays and whites. We designed our items to be versatile, taking you from day to night. Our apparel features classic styles that can be dressed up or down, both casual and fun.

Comfort is key for us, so we ensure our shirts are made from high-quality, lightweight, and soft materials. We want you to feel like you never want to take them off. Overall, Classical Waves is about blending our love for the sea and city life into a brand that resonates with anyone who shares our passion for the ocean and outdoor adventures.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had a best friend visiting Miami for a week, I’d show them the best of what the city has to offer. We’d hit up places like Miami Beach to chill and soak up some sun. Grab a bite at The Lido Bayside Grill right on the beach. Have a day where we take our boat out from Blackpoint Marina and cruise around Biscayne Bay, finishing up the day with fresh seafood at Black Point Ocean Grill and have fun watching all the boats come in. We could also explore places like Coral Gables and grab a meal on the Mile. Or walk around Coconut Grove and end the day with ice cream from the Salty Straw!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We definitely have to give a shoutout to our parents. They’ve been our biggest inspiration and support since day one. Our dad helped come up with the name “Classical Waves.” He works in finance and introduced us to the idea of a ‘classical wave’ a while ago. It’s a math equation that describes waves moving at a constant velocity, and when it came time to pick our brand’s name we both thought it was perfect! Our mom, with her marketing background, has been our rock, helping to bring our vision to life and always encouraging us to go for it. Combining their expertise with our passion we make the ultimate dream team. They’ve been our biggest fans, and everything we do is rooted in the values they raised us with.

Website: https://www.classicalwaves.com

Instagram: @classicalwaves – https://www.instagram.com/classicalwaves/

Image Credits
Jose Seijo