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.

Joanna Lohman featuring TomboyX Essential Soft Bra and 4-1/2-inch Trunks. Photo by Shena Lee

Shifting out of general apparel and focusing on underwear isn’t the only big change at TomboyX. In May 2016, they launched a brand refresh and overhauled their website with a new look and feel. “We like to say that while we are not for everybody, we are for any body. And by that we mean that we believe labels are for soup cans. We are all people and we want everyone to feel comfortable in their own skin by being unapologetic about who they are, in our underwear, of course!” said co-founder and CEO Fran Dunaway.

The new web site captures the sentiment of that message very well. TomboyX wants the customer to see themselves in the underwear. You won’t find gender-size-style specific models on the underwear pages — in fact you won’t find models at all. Instead, you’ll see images of free floating underwear, bras, t-shirts and other awesome products.

Recently, TomboyX introduced their in-house designed signature print series which includes tartan, octopus, dots, camo and more. The TomboyX blog has substantive posts about bad-ass people who are breaking down boundaries and affecting positive change in the world. Everything about the new site is inviting, inclusive and non-judgmental. It’s a refreshing and optimistic brand voice that truly speaks to everyone.

That voice is resonating with some star studded folks that took the time to rep some TomboyX gear and spread the message. That list includes activist and model Rain Dove, professional soccer player and sports diplomat Johanna Lohman and two-time International Flat Track Roller Derby Champions The Wheels of Justice, to name a few. Check out some of their bad ass photographs below.

This bad-ass lesbian start up is just getting started. Stay tuned for more great fitting innovations from this team. Use promo code LESBIAN.COM to save 15 percent when you shop through March 31, 2017.

Joanna Lohman featuring TomboyX Essential Soft Bra and 4-1/2-inch trunks. Photo by Shena Lee.

Joanna Lohman featuring TomboyX Essential Divided We Stall Tee. Photo by Shena Lee.

Scald Eagle of Wheels of Justice. Photo by Shena Lee.

Wheels of Justice features TomboyX 6-inch Stripe Underwear and X= Tees. Photo by Shena Lee.

Wheels of Justice roll with TomboyX 6-inch Stripe Underwear. Photo by Shena Lee.

The post Bad-ass underwear by TomboyX first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Looking for a unique gift filled with good karma for the lesbians in your life? Well, look no further. We’ve put together a list of great holiday gifts from fabulous lesbian companies.

WOLFE VIDEO

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LUCKY DOG LEATHER

TOMBOYX

SEE JANE RUN

THAT GAY SITE

SOUL NUMBERS JEWELRY

The post Great holiday gifts from lesbian-owned companies first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Brand ambassador Traci Dinwiddie (Photo via TomboyX.com)

BY Lesbian.com

Lesbians take note: TomboyX is changing the face of fashion.

With a no-compromises, all-authentic attitude, Tomboy X seeks to fill the void between clothes that are traditionally feminine and masculine.

They’re “creating and curating women’s clothing and accessories inspired by menswear style,” says co-founder and CEO Fran Dunaway. The brand is another addition to the increasing number of companies catering to women whose needs aren’t being readily met in the mainstream market.

Pictured: TomboyX Collection Maggie Blazer – Chocolate, TomboyX Swag – PE T-Shirt, Lucky Dog Leather Accessories, Foster Weld Recession Belt, BedStu Grand Canyon Bag, BedStu Lita Oxfords – Tan, Darn Tough Crew Light Stripe Sock – Denim, Coal Going To Jackson Hat – Blue Oxford, Coal Landon Hat – Multi Color  (Photo via TomboyX.com)

Excitingly, there are lots of amazing clothiers popping up with masculine-of-center women (and trans*men) in mind. The difference is that many of these companies are, essentially, designing menswear cut for different bodies. TomboyX, however, is making womenswear inspired by menswear. Dunaway says they’re looking to reach that middle ground: the fashionable embodiment of the tomboy spirit.

And what exactly is the TomboyX spirit? Just ask brand ambassadors actress Traci Dinwiddie (Elena Undone) and musician Catie Curtis.

Curtis says, “I sometimes feel like an impostor in the women’s department, with its frills, flowers and bows, while men’s clothes don’t fit me either. I’m so grateful to discover (and spread the gospel of) TomboyX, where the clothing is made for women like me!”

Their site offers a boutique experience, where women looking for clothes and accessories that really suit their style can finally do some one-stop shopping. From belts and boots to shoulder bags, blazers to briefs, they have an assortment from casual to dressy.

Learn more and get shopping at www.TomboyX.com

The post TomboyX: Clothing for women like us first appeared on Lesbian.com.

TomboyX has announced a new brand ambassador: actor/director Traci Dinwiddie. Traci is the second celebrity brand ambassador to join the TomboyX Team. Singer/songwriter Catie Curtis was announced as the first TomboyX brand ambassador in August 2013.

Co-Founder and CEO Fran Dunaway said, “We are incredibly honored to add Traci to the TomboyX brand ambassador team. She’s incredibly talented in so many ways. We feel her energy and daring are a perfect match for the TomboyX brand. She’s an actor, a director, a drummer, a trapeze artist, an athlete, a comic … the list goes on.”

Read more at TheSeattleLesbian.com

The Seattle Lesbian online magazine reaches more than 188,000 readers per week globally.

The post Dinwiddie joins TomboyX as brand ambassador first appeared on Lesbian.com.

After a successful Kickstarter campaign and gaining a strong consumer presence, TomboyX has launched their online curated store, but also recently partnered with Boston singer-songwriter Catie Curtis.

“We are incredibly excited to have Catie Curtis as the first brand ambassador for TomboyX,” said Fran Dunaway, CEO of Tomboy Exchange. “She’s a creative, talented woman who has never been afraid to stand up for what she believes in.”

Read more at TheSeattleLesbian.com

The Seattle Lesbian online magazine reaches more than 188,000 readers per week globally.

The post TomboyX tags Catie Curtis as brand ambassador first appeared on Lesbian.com.