Long maligned by comedians for our fashion sense, TomboyX founders Fran Dunaway and Naomi Gonzalez know lesbians have a style all our own. That’s why they created the comfy, chic and totally unique TomboyX collection, designed to fit the eclectic, rough-around-the-edges lesbian aesthetic.

What do you do and why?

We saw a need for a clothing line that recognizes the white space between menswear and women’s wear. We were tired of frilly, patterned clothing made for 20-year-olds. One day Naomi asked me, “How hard can it be to start a clothing line?” Ha!

What did you do before you started your company?

I am a partner in a media strategies firm and produce political ads for democrats and campaigns nationwide. Naomi is a sports massage therapist and was on staff for the U.S. Women’s Olympic Soccer team when they won gold in Athens.

What’s the single most important piece of advice you received when first starting your company? What would you tell a young entrepreneur in turn?

My dear friend Sue sent me a Goethe quote that I printed and put on the wall. The condensed version is: “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

What aspect of business ownership came as the biggest surprise to you?

The challenges associated with raising money.

What do you find most rewarding about owning your own business?

Having had an idea, then implementing plans with Naomi. We are partners in business and in life. We became financees (I like to say Beyonce because she put a ring on it) a few months ago and are still going strong. There is no way we could have come this far without the other being part of it. This is an all consuming endeavor. At least, I get to spend all this time working with someone I love and respect so much.

Where do you see yourself / your company in five years?

To be an internationally recognized brand that women feel represents the proactive, confident and courageous parts of themselves. We want to have a full line of clothing for women of all sizes, of varying backgrounds and varying levels of tomboyishness. We want women to feel seen and recognized by a brand that represents their independent spirit.

What resources would you recommend to someone who is contemplating starting her own business?

Perseverance. Courage. Determination. A solid, well-thought out business plan, mentors in the business you’re seeking to get into and three to six months of financial reserves in the bank. Also, don’t quit your day job. Plug away until you reach success. And a rich aunt wouldn’t be a bad thing either.

What obstacles did you face in establishing your company and how did you overcome them?

We didn’t have any fashion experience so we just jumped in. Today, we know so much more than we did two years ago. I’m a big believer in informational meetings. I ask a lot of questions. So every time we got to the next chapter in the book “Fashion for Dummies,” we’d find someone with pertinent experience and set up a meeting. We’ve had some incredibly generous people offer guidance and advice every step of the way. We brought on advisors in a more formal capacity who we could rely on for ideas, encouragement and suggestions. I think we’ve tried to remain open to all recommendations, but at the same time have kept true to our personal vision.

Is there anything we didn’t ask you about that you’d like to share with our readers?

I think that sometimes it’s challenging for people who aren’t trying to run a small business to realize that reaching a vision takes time and baby steps. We often hear from people about expanded sizes, more styles and cheaper prices. Of course, we want to get there, but we had to start somewhere. Despite what it might look like, we really are three women working on this for no salary, out of a garage. It takes most small businesses three to five years to hit profitability, so the most that our community can do is support small businesses and understand that we are listening and we care, but give us time to get there. We don’t have the funding of a big brand. We’re working hard to stake a claim in a fashion industry that has ignored us for too damn long. So help us show them that we are a force to be reckoned with and wear TomboyX with pride.

Follow these fabulous fashionistas on Facebook and Twitter.

The post Enterprising Women: Fran and Naomi, TomboyX first appeared on Lesbian.com.

It’s been another summer filled with fashion and music as Sophie Eckrich and Travis Breihan make their way across the United States popping up their festival store to sell their Central American designed fashions, Teysha.

“[It’s] just amazing to meet people and get in front of customers and spread the word,” says Sophie, co-founder and CEO of Teysha, about traveling and meeting the estimated 6,000 subscribers on its email list and about 14,000 followers on social media.

More >

The post Teysha: Full circle, eco-friendly fashions first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Erin Berg and Kyle Moshrefi found their sense of style didn’t match store-bought offerings, so they created Kipper, a clothier that tailors masculine fashions to women’s bodies.

These dapper entrepreneurs shared the secrets of launching their brand with Lesbian.com.

What do you do and why?

Kyle and I started Kipper Clothiers in July 2013. Kipper Clothiers is a custom suiting and shirting venture focusing on making menswear for women accessible to the community. Kyle and I came together with a mutual passion for menswear that blossomed into Kipper Clothiers almost instantly. We were tired of seeing our friends struggle to find menswear that fit or looked good. We provide clothing to everyone along the gender spectrum, but use the word menswear specifically to provide a particular timeless aesthetic that has never been accessible to us.

What’s the single most important piece of advice you received when first starting your company? What would you tell a young entrepreneur in turn? What resources would you recommend to someone who is contemplating starting her own business?

The most important piece of advice would be to do your research. Find your local LGBTQ business organizations and reach out to them: for us it was the GGBA, StartOut, and other local small business owners. You can’t be afraid to admit what you don’t know and ask others for help. Kipper Clothiers has succeeded since day one because the first thing we did was find mentors in our field.

What aspect of business ownership came as the biggest surprise to you?

To be frank, Kyle and I liked the idea for Kipper Clothiers and ran with it. However, if you would have told me that I would be working 15 hours a day for the first year of the business, I would have had second thoughts. Starting a business is an all-consuming venture. That being said, I couldn’t be more happy that we jumped right in.

What do you find most rewarding about owning your own business?

When you work at larger businesses or corporations, there are separate departments for each aspect of the company. But at Kipper Clothiers, Kyle and I are in charge of everything. No marketing department, no accounting department, everything Kipper Clothiers produces, we create.

Where do you see yourself and your company in five years?

We get this question a lot and Kyle and I like to have the mantra “one suit at a time.” We have seen other companies grow too quickly and have that be their downfall. We like to give our clients the individual care and attention they deserve. Obviously, we eventually hope to expand nationally and have a casual ready-wear line of garments and accessories, but first we want to focus on our brick-and-mortar store in San Francisco located at 78 Gough Street.

Connect with Kipper Clothiers on their website, Facebook or Twitter.

The post Kipper Clothiers tailors masculine style for women first appeared on Lesbian.com.

So you want to get married to another girl. Congratulations!

Now that the feds legally recognize marriage between same-sex partners and states are slowly but surely getting on board, it’s a great time to finally get hitched to the woman or boi of your dreams. Let’s start with the most fun part, the clothes.

OUTFITS FOR BUTCHES, BOIS AND STUDS
Finding a wedding outfit for a masculine of center ladyqueer can be really hard. It’s not for the faint of heart, but neither is marriage. There are a few different routes you can go.

The first is to get a bespoke suit made, which is super expensive, but worth it if you know you will get a lot of wear out of it. If you are going to get a suit made, go do your research. Learn about the fabrics, shape and cut you want. Find a queer friendly tailor. Either ask your queer friends where they got theirs or post on a few Facebook groups and ask for recommendations.

If you’ve learned anything from reading Lesbian.com, it’s that gays love helping other gays and driving business to ally-owned businesses.

The next option is to get a man’s suit or tuxedo tailored to your body. Many starry-eyed queers just grab a man’s suit and don’t make any alterations to it. This is a big mistake. Off the rack clothing is never going to fit anyone (except the size model) perfectly. Your body isn’t mass produced. It’s unique.

The last option I’m going to suggest, is to actually find a woman’s suit and tailor it. You knew that was coming. You can either find a whole suit or mix and match a black jacket and pants.

A white suit is also really popular. The only trick here is to be careful with the mix and match. You don’t want to mix two different whites or a white and an ecru. That would be a disaster.

Pro tips to keep in mind so you don’t drive yourself (and the soon-to-be missus crazy)
• No one’s body is a perfect fit for off-the-rack clothing.
• Be patient and be kind to yourself.
• If you are marrying a femme, remember that your outfit is just as important as her dress.
• Wear the undergarments you plan to wear on the big day to all your fittings.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help, ask your queer friends if they have a tailor or have recommendations for queer-friendly vendors.
• Wear something that you feel super sexy in that is also comfortable enough to wear for hours.

ALTERNA-FEMMES
So you’re femme and you’re getting married, but you don’t want to be a traditional bride because screw tradition. You’re queer, fabulous and completely in love.

Let’s address some fun choices that aren’t exactly traditional.

Pink: Ever since Kaley Cuoco got married in a bright pink dress women have been debating over whether or not pink is appropriate for a wedding. If you like pink and it looks better on you than white or cream, go for it. Go all over pink or go for an ombre look like Gwen Stefani did at her wedding in 2002.

Rockabilly: 50s hairstyles and swooping winged cat-eyes look great on everyone as does the classic hourglass silhouettes from this time period.

Black: Black is a girl’s best friend. It’s slimming and dramatic. If you don’t want to go full black then consider adding black accents, such as lace or a sash.

Romper: J. Crew introduced a romper into their wedding line and everyone freaked out.

If you have a playful side, a romper is the perfect outfit for a beachy or woodsy wedding.

Boho: Whether you go with a long flowing boho dress or a mini, bohemian styles can help make your day feel less formal and stuffy while still allowing you to feel gorg.

Hi-Lo: The high-low hem trends has made it all the way to wedding attire. It’s fun and trendy.

You might have some regret when you look back on it 40 years from now, but you’ll always remember how great your gams were back in the day.

The post Lez get married: Style guide first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Who says you can’t rock a tie? No need to envy the gents in their blazers, skinny ties, tailored shirts and pencil slacks. This fall season is all about the ladies and gents sharing the spotlight in looks that are fashionable and chic for everyone. Wear a classic look in navy, black or white or play with colors and mix and match fun plaids and prints. Pair with a casual tee or crisp shirt. Choose from tweed, linen, corduroy or wool blends. Make it your own!

Read more at TaggMagazine.com

Tagg Magazine is a print and online resource for LBT women in the DC Metropolitan and Rehoboth, DE areas.

The post Lesbian fall fashion: Tie one on! first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Photo via fashfood.bloginky.com

BY SID MARCH
Lesbian.com

If you fancy yourself a fashion savvy lesbian, you’re probably familiar with Alicia Hardesty. An up-and-coming designer featured on this season’s “Project Runway,” Alicia is the ace of style every bent lady needs on her side. Her Original Tomboy collection features “mod-Huck” inspired clothes that reflect her Kentucky roots with an LA-chic edge.

Lesbian.com caught up with Alicia and discussed fashion, fashion, fashion … and the unsolvable mystery of how to make cat hair-covered sweaters look hot.

Reality TV can kind of skyrocket people into the spotlight. How are you handling all the attention?

I’m cool. I just have fun with it, answer questions, converse with different people. The attention isn’t what’s hard to handle, it’s all the work I have on my plate.

Editors can really create a character by picking and choosing what side of people that portray on the screen. How do you feel about the version of Alicia Hardesty that is being presented? Is it accurate?

With this group of designers, we are all so different and bring something unique to the table, the producers/editors didn’t have to do anything to really create characters. We were already characters. But, from what I’ve seen, they edit the story accurately. They can’t show everything; there’s just not enough time. I haven’t seen anything that represented me negatively or that was inaccurate.

Being on a show like “Project Runway” obviously requires serious talent, dedication, teamwork and determination. Are you a naturally competitive person? Is this kind of experience something very natural for you?

I’m competitive but I don’t take it so seriously that I lose my cool. I’ve never been in this kind of competitive situation or work situation. Nothing about it was necessarily natural for me, but I adapt quickly and get with the program, do what I have to do and meet the challenge.

Let’s step away from reality TV star-Alicia and talk about designer-Alicia. I love what I’ve seen of your Original Tomboy designs. Although the styles and aesthetics are different, the sensibility kind of reminds me of lines like Marimacho, with its potential to be gender neutral, or even genderqueer. Is that a market you’re going for?

Yes, that’s definitely a market I’m going for. There is an inherent sensibility within gender neutral clothing and Original Tomboy embodies that while offering styles that a lot of people, men and women, appreciate and want to wear.

Define what tomboy style is to you.

There’s a simplicity to it, a certain level of confidence as well, to venture outside the boxes of menswear and womenswear. Tomboy style can be edgy, contemporary, vintage, a little girly, masculine, but it always go back to a great pair of pants.

How big an influence is Kentucky on your designs? How about LA?

For Original Tomboy, Kentucky is a huge influence. I mean, it made me the person I am today; it all started there. It’s in the branding and core of the brand. LA has influenced me in giving me the opportunity to explore what I like to design the most. There’s a lot of opportunity in LA to do your own thing, to see your vision through.

On the Original Tomboy website it states the collection is to “redefine what it means to dress ‘like a girl.’” So, what is your favorite way to see a girl dressed?

Simplicity is key — clean looks, contemporary, heels or boots.

Is there someone you would love to see wearing your clothes? You know, that moment where your heart totally does a somersault: “Oh-my-god (so and so) is wearing a jacket I designed on the red carpet!”

Ellen Degeneres, for sure. Also, Tilda Swinton.

Is there one famous fashion moment/item that is totally iconic to you, embodies everything you love in clothing? 

Vintage Levi’s.

What role do you think being out has played in your success so far? Do you think lesbians, or queer women in general, have a particular role in the fashion world?

Being out has been a huge part of my success because it’s allowed me to be genuine and honest. I don’t like to use labels unnecessarily, but being out puts me under one. It adds to my story and to the persective I have to share with the fashion industry. There’s not a lot of us out there, lesbian fashion designers, but lesbians are quickly claiming space in this industry as fashionable and relevant. It’s part of who I am, and that naturally influences everything I do in some way.

What rules have you set for yourself as a designer aesthetically, ethically, personally?

No commerce without morality. I try to do projects that I can be passionate about.

What is your favorite piece of clothing? Your go-to outfit?

G-star denim, maybe suspenders, button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, sneakers or boots; depends on where I’m going.

I can’t help but be curious — if you could ban one style, one cut, or element of fashion (or anti-fashion!) what would it be? 

Flip flops. Unless you live near the beach … or you’re taking out the trash.

What if you could reintroduce one style from the past that is currently out of vogue … what would you love to see more people wearing?

I like the dropped waist Chanel look from the 20s. There’s something about that look that I love.

Alright, and I’ve got to know, I’ve always got to know. Do you like cats? Or maybe dogs? Do you have any brilliant designer tricks for getting cat hair off your clothes, or making it look cool?

I love cats and dogs, but I don’t have brilliant tricks for that one.

The post ‘Runway’ star Alicia Hardesty: Skip the flip-flops first appeared on Lesbian.com.