"...Gender Free World clothing is committed to producing high quality British made clothes for everyone, regardless of their gender or body type..."
In June 2017, GFW Clothing co-founder, Lisa Honan was nominated for the National Diversity Award Entrepreneur of Excellence. We received many votes from loyal customers, who said some lovely things about what we are doing.
It is great to get this feedback as it means we are on the right track, bringing you the styles you want to wear, with the important addition that they will fit you really well. We received 69 nominations, here are a selection.
Friday, May 26, 2017 - "...Gender Free World clothing is committed to producing high quality British made clothes for everyone, regardless of their gender or body type. Many people in society are overlooked by the high street. In recognition of this, Gender Free World has designed a range of British made shirts to celebrate diversity! To finally have a brand that allows people of different shapes and sizes to feel that they never need to compromise on style, quality or fit again is ground breaking..."
Monday, June 5, 2017 - "GFW clothing has an original idea that makes the experience of shopping and wearing shirts a pleasurable one for all women (and men) of various shapes and sizes. The range of shirts and other merchandise is continually renewed, delivery times are fast and customer service is excellent. Thanks for a great contribution to the LGBTQ (and straight) community! "
Monday, June 5, 2017 - "Lisa's frustrations with high-street fashion completely echo my own. Both men and women are expected to be a certain shape and size; fashion retailers cater only for a narrow definition of what that shape or size that is and then layer on top a rigid idea of masculine and feminine style. GFW's range of sizes based on different body shapes is such a brilliant concept and thanks to this I now have a couple of fun, well fitted shirts that make me look good and feel good.... "
Monday, June 5, 2017 - "I have waited a longtime for someone to start producing clothing I genuinely like. GFW produce quality clothing, have a great website and excellent services."
Sunday, June 4, 2017 - "Since shopping for clothes with my mum as a 5-year-old in the early 1970's-- where tears were shed because I couldn't bear the girls' clothes, I've found it extremely difficult to find clothes I like that fit properly. I tend to err towards the men's styles which are of a much better quality. However, as we don't live in a gender free society (let alone world), I often get comments and looks I could do without (especially in the men's changing room. IF I'm allowed in). I don't fit into the 'women's' or 'men's' prescribed templates of design. I'm neither triangle -- broad hips OR broad shoulders. So, my story is similar to Lisa's and many tens of thousands of others. Those without this issue are unaware of the impact this or similar experiences can have on mental and general well-being. So, Lisa and her team's great efforts to redress the balance (pun intended), is extremely welcome and a long time coming..."
Saturday, June 3, 2017 - "I do not identify well with the clothing available on the high street. Women's shops are too feminine. Men's shops do not cater for womens curves! The upshot is that until discovering GFW I have had to either wear clothes too big for me from men's shops to fit over my curves OR basically stay in. This might sound like an exaggeration but I assure you it is not. What does the trendy butch lesbian wear out? If you have curves, the answer for me used to be pyjamas and a sad face. I would turn down invitations or make excuses rather than go wearing something that made me feel like a fish out of water (a girly thing) or wearing something too big made for blokes. GFW gives me the perfect solution. Smart tailoring that suits my body shape and cool designs that I feel smart in. I can go out with confidence. The first shirt I bought was put through our letter box and opened by the dog. My wife found the shirt and claimed it as her own. I've since ordered her more. It might not be cheap but the efffect that finding a shop that sells clothes we can wear and feel good in has been priceless. Thank you so much gfw. I can add shirt fabric ideas to their boards on Pinterest and feel that my opinion matters. A business that listens to its customers is a rare thing these days..."
Friday, June 2, 2017 - "I have been truly impressed with this most sensible idea. - It seems almost incredible now that no one before had tried to provide clothing for a diversity of body shapes and tastes, rather than expecting everyone to fit into unrealistic and unwanted moulds based on gender (stereotypes)...!"
Thursday, June 1, 2017 - "I have always stuggled to buy clothes and in particular shirts that I not only like but also fit me. Women's shirts are too tight fitting and patterns and styles I dislike, while mens shirts don't fit and I feel make me stand out (in society ) as a stero typical lesbian, wearing oversized male clothes. Friends have even said this too me. GFW clothing has enabled me to buy stylish shirts, that not only fit well but I feel confident and comfortable in. I do find it incredible that at 50 I have struggled throughout my life to find clothing I feel comfortable in. It is true clothing can say a lot and also lack of clothing for a section of the population can say a lot about how they are seen by society, despite the perception of equity brought about by gay marriage I believe we are still not seen. GFW recognised the need not just in the LGBT world but by many men and women to wear clothes that are not defined by gender but by style and fit."
Thursday, June 1, 2017 - "I strongly believe in their idea and am so glad to finally find a shop that doesn't restrict people based on gender "
Thursday, June 1, 2017 - "The products, presentation and customer service are exquisite! I'm more than a customer, I'm me. Thanks to GFW I've managed to rock my look to be myself at work. I'm grateful for the body positive and people positive approach! Keep up the amazing work! "
Thursday, June 1, 2017 - "My daughter has struggled for years to find clothes that she likes and fit her. Since finding the GFW brand, she is so much happier and has bought many items. I hope, with time, that the brand continues to expand its range. I think this really has found a niche in the market"
Thursday, June 1, 2017 - "I have a shape that does not fit mainstream ideals about what a women's shape should be. I am super curvy but not that large yet "normal" clothes do not fit well and if they do, assume I want to be dressed in a hyper feminine way. And yet if I dress this way I find I am judged purely by how I look rather than the other myriad ways I feel I can contribute. This shop fills a great need. Thank goodness for the internet so this Australian girl can dress in clothes that fit well!"
Thursday, June 1, 2017 - "I am voting for this company for several reasons. I have bought several items and very happy with them. One reason is that the clothing is designed for various shapes and gender free. Rather than the more fitted female shape the clothing industry says we women should wear. Was fed up wandering round looking for what I like to wear in the shape I want. I liked a lot of men's clothing but the shape and fit wasn't right. Another reason is because recycled materials are used in the manufacture of the clothing which is a big plus. The designs are cool and unique. I really hope this company goes from strength to strength as I strongly believe there is a big market out there for gender free clothing."
Thursday, June 1, 2017 - "Its great to have a product that makes me feel like me. For those that don't fit into the 'normal' boxes its great to have a choice in clothing that actually fits properly, is comfortable and looks amazing. The work that has gone into the products is amazing and its great to have them supporting our community."
Thursday, June 1, 2017 - "Lisa has done amazing work producing this clothes line which is exactly what we need, a shirt that fits you to your body shape rather than 'mens' or 'womens' i now dont need to worry about buying mens clothes that dont fit properly. GFW is a breath of fresh air to the industry and hopefully more will follow."
Thursday, June 1, 2017 - "In today's world of changing views around gender, Lisa's GFW Clothing is a breath of fresh air. It is hard to describe the importance of feeling comfortable in the clothes that you wear and the impact that this has on your confidence while out in public. GFW Clothing understands that gender does not define how you choose to dress and since finding their clothing I am able to be more confident in the way I dress, realising that my style is not strange. Lisa is exactly the kind of entrepreneur that the fashion world needs, why let gender define style?"
Thursday, June 1, 2017 - "List's shirts are a truly lovely product - beautiful design, great quality, fantastic fit, ethically sourced and with a positive diversity message. Customer service is friendly and personal. Her brand is strong and attractive. I nominate Lisa as I think she could really take her business to the next level and beyond."
Thursday, June 1, 2017 - "Lisa's clothing company makes stylish flattering clothes for the LGBTQ community, that make us stand tall and proud. She knows that high street shops don't cater for us, and wants us to look and feel as good as those who can buy stuff on the high street. She ensures her clothes are ethically made, and pays workers a living wage. I have never felt as good about my queer self as when I am wearing the bee print shirt from her collection."
Thursday, June 1, 2017 - "Excellent shirts and brilliant service with a personal feel and everywhere we go we get comments on the shirts and asked where can we get one! Fantastic fit when you got boobs!! "
Thursday, June 1, 2017 - "GFW has provided people of every shape, size and gender to find clothing that fits perfectly and looks great. For me personally that meant being able to find a shirt with a more masculine cut that didn't gape across my ample chest. This has been a godsend for me in terms of office attire and casual clothing. They have also introduced me to other like minded brands and revolutionised my entire shopping experience."
Thursday, June 1, 2017 - "I am voting for GFW as this is one of so few companies in the UK that recognise the need to support men and women wearing comfortable, cool clothing without discrimination against either gender. It was amazing for the first time in years to feel comfortable and happy in my clothes... "
Thursday, June 1, 2017 - "What a brilliant company GWF are. Clothes are made to a high standard and the little personal touches added make you feel great. Lisa deserves this award. The 3 sizes shirts fit amazing I have recommended these to my friends!! "
Thursday, June 1, 2017 - "I have finially found a company that makes the clothes I want. I have spent years looking for the perfect fit and GFW has provided with me. Those who work at the company provide not only excellent clothing but great customer service. "
Thursday, June 1, 2017 - "I am voting for GFW Clothing because the concept of the company is brilliant. Having bought a few shirts, I am so impressed by the design, quality and fit of them. Lisa and the team deserve to win an award as it takes real resilience to follow your dreams in business."
Thursday, June 1, 2017 - "Lisa's shirts are the best I've ever tried - smart, stylish, and most important of all they fit and let me be more authentically me. Lisa's ethos and customer service skills are second to none, and she really deserves this recognition to take her community-focused business on to the next level"
Thursday, June 1, 2017 - "GFW Clothing is a necessary and important part of the movement towards gender equality. In this world, the gender binary is still seen as the only valid way for one to be but GFW Clothing is trying to change that. LGBTQ people are faced with many oppressions, and marriage equality was just the first step of many. Trans people are seen as invalid; some people go so far to say trans and / or people of different genders are disgusting, etc. This brand of clothing is trying to help those who face such discrimination to feel more like themselves. To feel validated. To know that they and their expression matters. We have lost too many trans people to suicide or at someone else's intolerant hands. We need to work to ending gender-based violence and this company helps those who face these things feel more confident amongst all the inequalities. "
Wednesday, May 31, 2017 - "I love these shirts and the idea behind them. These shirts are for everyone, no worries about being the wrong shape "
Wednesday, May 31, 2017 - "Solid concept. The gendered clothing needs challenging. "
Wednesday, May 31, 2017 - "When I received an invite to my cousins wedding I was happy that she was getting married, but also filled with the usual dread and frustration about what to wear, I admit I could do with losing weight and that I'm not you're standard girly girl in fact I generally have to wear a mans shirt to feel comfortable, so via twitter I came across GFW clothing and all my christmases had come at once. It was a relief when my beautifully wrapped penguin shirt arrived in time for the wedding, it fitted, it suited me and I felt happy..... Thanks so I really think lisa deserves this award for thinking outside the gender box and giving me choice and quality clothing."
Wednesday, May 31, 2017 - "GFW is a great idea, providing something that is missing from the high street. And the shirts are awesome."
Saturday, May 27, 2017 - "Lisa has set up Gender Free World, a business creating clothing to fit real people- whatever their gender, shape or size. So many high street fashion retailers undermine diversity by only reflecting traditional gender stereotypes in their styles and marketing. It's so hard to find shirts to fit me which aren't "girly" and I'm not a girly kind of girl ! Gender Free World stock shirts which are British made, very stylish, and fit beautifully. Lisa's business means it is possible to buy clothes which allow me to be myself . Her success online and in the high street means that I'm not the only person who thinks this. Lisa has chosen a very diverse bunch from the community to model her clothes- underpinning the ethos that her business is there for everyone, not just some idealised notion of a man or woman. Diversity is at th heart of Lisa's business which is why I think she would be a worthy winner of this category. "
Saturday, May 27, 2017 - "Great idea - great clothes. Being a bigger boobed older lady l found it hard to obtain a smart/comfortable shirt to fit properly. I was frustrated with having to buy larger sizes, that hung everywhere, because 'my size' pulled or gaped on the front fastening. (Even Bravissimo couldn't accommodate). Now at last something that fits back and front - brilliant. Thank you GFW - even we oldies like to feel attractive."
Saturday, May 27, 2017 - "Innovative designs, detail and fabrics, great fit and quirky publicity. Saw a gap in the market and plugged it with style and sense of community. Brilliant products and marketing!"
Friday, May 26, 2017 - "I have been quietly noticing the issues in shirt-buying (button position, frills, lace, ruching etc) for many years. The available body shapes in high street shops is very narrow. Lisa identified this gap and made a move to supply real body shaped shirts with no gaping at the chest. Her choice of patterns are fun. I appreciate the research she does online, asking questions about colours and sleeve length, for example. Hoping she will expand her range to cover oh so many other clothing issues women have."
Friday, May 26, 2017 - "It's a brilliant idea to remove gender stereotypes from clothing. For many it makes the difference between being able to express their identity comfortably or being pressured to conform. On a wider social level, the very existence of this company sends a strong message to everyone that there is more to gender than a binary. The range of different fits enables everyone to be proud of themselves, whatever their body shape. Lisa Honan has worked tirelessly to make this company a reality. She has consulted with relevant communities to ensure the products reflect their needs and wants. As a result, the company is steadily growing from strength to strength."
All National Diversity quotes available from info@genderfreeworld.com