We are back! How and why?

By Lisa Honan, co-founder.

We launched Gender Free World in February 2016, and since then, we’ve produced over 72 different shirt patterns, 13 designs of boxer shorts, pyjamas, T-shirts, and socks, to name just a few. We’ve made over 15,000 customers happy, and we’re immensely proud of that.

In March, we announced we had to pause operations, and at that point, we really thought it was over for good. Our small team was dedicated but we just struggled to achieve the scale needed to sustain the business. Rising costs, supply issues, Brexit, and various challenges meant that this difficult decision was unavoidable. We closed the physical shop and said a sad goodbye to Millie and Anna.

Oh but my goodness, the sheer amount of messages we received by email and on our social media about our closure really touched us, here is one from Sara, which particularly made me question my decision.

"Hi! I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate everything y'all have done over the years. When I heard the news that GFW was closing, I had something close to a panic attack and have been sobbing for the last half hour. I'm 46 years old, and these are the ONLY clothes that have ever fit right and made me feel good in my body and gender, EVER, and I'm devastated that you have to close up shop. I've tried the other companies that say they have androgynous or similar fits (dapper boi, peau de loup, etc) and none of them fit right - they are all made for one ideal queer body type, not the varieties of body shapes and sizes that GFW makes. There is nothing else on this earth like what you are doing and I don't know how I'll manage without you in the future. I guess I'll go back to feeling poorly dressed and dumpy with bits of clothing that either pinch or sag and make me feel like I want to disappear in my skin. Can't thank you enough for the last few years of being able to feel RADIANT when I walked out the door. Ok, heading off to cry more into my pillow.... :( :( :("

Well, Sara, thank you, your message made me rethink things. We started to explore whether there was another way to make the shirts you need while ensuring the business could continue sustainably.

The answer? A pre-order system. Our customers already know the quality of our shirts and their fit. So, we thought, if you’re willing to wait a few weeks to receive your shirts, why not give it a try?

We (and by “we,” I mean GFW’s new Managing Director, Andi, who we’ll introduce soon) have partnered with a small, bespoke Turkish textile factory that employs master shirt makers. Their policies, ethics, small-scale production, and friendly approach align with GFW values, and they’re SEDEX certified, which reassures us about their stated human rights policies (including LGBTQ+). The shirts will be made from the finest quality cotton weaves and sateens, ethically sourced by our Turkish textile mill supplier. We’ve chosen quality cotton that’s comfortable to wear, feels great to touch, holds its shape, and is easy to care for. The factory’s craftsmanship is impressive, and we’ve returned to using French seams.

Some feedback from customers noted that the new, longer shirt style introduced in 2022 didn’t fit them as well as before around the hips, (although others liked this change, a reminder how all our bodies are different). We’ve increased the vent length and slightly adjusted the hip shape which we hope works for longer and shorter torso types.

For now, we’ve decided to focus solely on shirts. The pre-order system not only supports us as a business, but it also increases the eco-sustainability of our processes. With just four production runs a year, the larger batch sizes mean more efficient fabric use and fewer air freight shipments. We’re only making clothes that are in demand, avoiding the excess that might otherwise end up in landfill. We acknowledge fashion’s environmental footprint and are committed to minimising ours.

Oh, and the pre-order system also allows you to customise your shirt at the time of ordering – contrast fabric or not? In the future, we’ll extend this to other features, like offering cuffs which allow for cufflinks.

We are the only company that ignores gender binaries, offering shirts in three or four body shapes and 7 to 10 sizes per shape. Our unique sizing is why many of you chose us in the first place, and we’re thrilled to be back, offering more beautiful shirts that fit you perfectly!

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