Gorman (brand)
 | This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. (June 2024) |
 Gorman store in Karrinyup Shopping Centre | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry |
|
| Founded | 1999 |
| Founder | Lisa Gorman |
| Website | gormanshop |
Gorman is an Australian women's fashion label founded by Lisa Gorman in 1999.
History[edit]
Gorman was launched in 1999 by Lisa Gorman, with the collection ‘Less Than 12 Degrees’ at the now-defunct fat 52 boutique.[1] By 2003, the label was stocked in 55 retailers in Australia and 15 in Japan. The first Gorman boutique opened in 2004 in Prahran, Melbourne.[2] In 2010, the company was purchased by Factory X.[3], and by the mid-2010s, Gorman was considered a well recognized Australian clothing brand, with fans of the brand referring to themselves as “Gormies”.[4][5]
By November 2021, the brand had more than 50 stores located throughout Australia.[6]
Brand collections[edit]
The label is known for its collaborations with Australian and international artists as part of each seasonal collection.[7] These artists include: Atelier Bingo, Mirka Mora, Miranda Skoczek, Monika Forsberg, Liz Payne, Dana Kinter, Elke Kramer, Miso, Rhys Lee, Rachel Castle, Ellie Malin and Alexander Kori Girard.[8] The Gorman 2019 Mangkaja collection collaborated with Aboriginal artists Ngarralja Tommy May (2020 winner of the Telstra Award[9]) and Sonia Kurarra from Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia's far north.[10]
In 2021, Lisa Gorman retired as the brand's creative director.[11]
Manufacturing[edit]
In 2016, the Gorman label received negative publicity after Factory X featured on Oxfam’s annual “Naughty List” for not disclosing its suppliers.[3] In April that year, the brand attracted additional criticism when it received an “F” in the Baptist World Aid fashion report for choosing not to participate in the survey.[12]
The brand responded with the statement “Gorman's decision not to publicly disclose the identity of its manufacturers is not “naughty”. [The] Gorman team have worked closely with their manufacturers on the development of techniques, trims and treatments that are key to Gorman's point-of-difference in the marketplace. We are currently not prepared to share the details of our manufacturers with our competitors”.[13]
In subsequent years, Gorman has worked with charitable organizations which compile these lists and has received "B" grades.[14]
References[edit]
- ^ "Lisa Gorman". VAMFF. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
- ^ Corso, Lisa Marie. "The Gorman Story". Gorman. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ a b Au-Nhien Nguyen, Giselle (28 April 2016). "Why Gorman can't ignore its fans". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "Understanding the ubiquitous cult of Gorman". Fashion Journal. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ Fitzsimmons, Caitlin (11 August 2019). "'Ken Done for Millennials': inside the cult brand of Gorman". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ "Fashion designer Lisa Gorman departs Gorman label after 22 years as creative director". The Guardian. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ Traill-Nash, Glynis (12 May 2020). "Lisa Gorman, fashion designer, 48: Q&A". The Weekend Australian Magazine. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
- ^ "Fashion and art – Gorman collaborations". fashionphantasmagoria. 24 August 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
- ^ Gooley, Cameron (7 August 2020). "Surprised Arnhem Land teenager, veteran Indigenous artist claim wins at 2020 NATSIAAs". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
- ^ Bamford, Matt (21 July 2019). "Gorman Mangkaja collection breaks new ground for Indigenous fashion design collaboration". ABC. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "Fashion designer Lisa Gorman departs Gorman label after 22 years as creative director". The Guardian. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ McClymont, Mhairi (26 February 2019). "How Ethical is Gorman?". Good on You. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ Croffey, Amy (25 November 2016). "Gorman wants to be taken off Oxfam's 'naughty list'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "Fashion designer Lisa Gorman departs Gorman label after 22 years as creative director". the Guardian. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
