Skip to main content

SUIT HER Ready-to-Wear Suits for Girls

KIDS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE BRAVE TO WEAR CLOTHES THEY LIKE!

$1,455
pledged of$30,000 goal
12
0Days Left
Fund it

Project Description

"There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come." Victor Hugo

KIDS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE BRAVE TO WEAR CLOTHES THEY LIKE!

Suits for girls IS an idea whose time has come! SUIT HER will offer unique and cool ready-to-wear suits for girls ages 5 to 14 that are full of fun detail and made to fit a girl's body. They will be high-quality suits with hand-picked fabrics and lots of attention to detail and fit. Finally! Girls will be able to choose a suit made just for them. Currently, there are NO companies that focus on suits made for young girls. SUIT HER would be the very first.

 

 

The SUIT HER Collection by PFZ

Our initial collection will offer three different looks: The General She (casual), The Classic She (semi-formal), and The She-She (formal). Each jacket can be paired with a bottom of choice (pants, shorts, or skirt). This provides several styles to accommodate a girl's personal taste in a variety of circumstances, from casual to dressy. Below are the specific designs for each suit in the collection:

 
"She-She" - SUIT HER by PFZ

The She-She is exactly as it sounds...a high-end tuxedo look for any formal occasion. Wear it with a skirt, pants, or shorts depending on the event. The bright red buttons and satin details will blow everyone away! 

 
"Classic She" - SUIT HER by PFZ

The Classic She is that classic suit look, but with unique details like burlap elbow patches and dark purple satin trim around the pockets. This look is strikingly fashion-forward with our crisp, white button-down shirt and tie of choice.This suit will be a template for a variety of colors and designs as we move forward.

 
"General She" - SUIT HER by PFZ

The General She is a fun take on the military look, featuring army green cotton twill fabric, gold metallic buttons, and a star on the back of the jacket. Also included are several detachable epaulets for added color and flair.

In addition, we will also offer ties by Cyberoptix to go along with the Classic Suit option. These ties are colorful and fun!

 
WHY SUITS FOR GIRLS
Suits for girls are completely missing in the mainstream apparel market. I know because I've looked for my own daugher, searched and practically turned the world upside down to find them. I've spoken with others who have looked in vain as well and, like me, have ended up having to buy a suit for a girl that is fitted for a boy's body. Visit any retail outlet and the only fancy options for girls are dresses or skirts. While a lot of girls love dresses (both for fancy and not-so-fancy occasions), an alternative is sorely needed because not all girls want to wear dresses. Lots of girls like suits, tuxes and ties. Many parents have sent me photos of their girls dressed in suits, but they are always boys' suits. Women wear suits and it is not only acceptable, but stylish. Why can't little girls? They should not have to wear a suit that is broad in the shoulders, short in the arms and baggy in the pants. In short, they shouldn't have to wear a suit that isn't tailored for their bodies. That's where SUIT HER enters.
 
The iFundWomen campaign's goal is to begin the process of creating and manufacturing these amazing suits. The initial funding will cover the costs of full designs, patterns, prototypes and initial production for each suit. Once we have the physical suits in hand, we will offer pre-ordering/sales which will determine production. If we raise beyond our goal, we can add more designs and color options. The sky is the limit with respect to adding more options which is the long term goal.

 

Janelle Monae looking fabulous in her suit and saddle shoes.

Our Team: Fashion Designer & Manufacturer

Karen Patwa - PFZ's fashion designer
I have hired fashion designer Karen Patwa, who KNOWS suits because she's been custom creating them for women for years. You can see some of her work on her website Dangerous Mathematicians. Her background in physics is not only cool, but also mission-aligned with the PFZ brand and SUIT HER's stereotype-busting approach to girls' apparel. She has already drawn up these amazing designs which will be turned into the prototypes.

Julie Hutton - Owner/Manufacturer Julie Hutton, Inc. 

For manufacturing needs, I'll be working with the woman-owned manufacturing company Julie Hutton, Inc., based in New York City. Julie has been in the business for twenty years and her "Personal Label" division specifically helps the budding designer navigate the process of clothing design from beginning to end, ensuring a successful result. Her company uses six different factories right in Manhattan. To that end, I am happy to say that once we go into production all of our products will be made in the USA.
 

Where will the funds go?

With your help, the majority of the funds raised will go toward the actual prototypes for all pieces for each suit which is the first step in the process. This includes full designs, fabrics/materials, patterns and sewing of the three different suit option which include a jacket and three bottoms. We will use a standard model to fit the prototype and ensure proper sizing. The remainder will go toward marketing, website and photography costs.

 

Funding for SUIT HER

Initially, the suits will retail for approximately $150 which includes a jacket and bottom of choice. The suits will be made to last--with high quality materials and details. All products will be manufactured here in the United States.

 

Timeline

Once the campaign has ended, it will take approximately five months to get from sketches/designs to final prototypes. There are many steps in between to finalize details and make sure the suits will be everything we want them to be. I will maintain communication as to the timeline and what is happening at every step along the way. Our focus is on a high-quality product with attention to detail. We will offer pre-ordering/sales as soon as we have samples and sizing in hand. Manufacturing the initial run will take approximately six months:

Timeline

Phase I

  • Aug-Nov 2019: launch and run campaign
  • Dec 2019-Feb 2020: three months to produce physical prototypes/samples of suits 
  • May 2020: update campaign with photos and samples of suits
Phase II
  • June-Nov 2020: begin to take orders and go into full production and manufacturing
  • December 2020 - ship orders

It is no small endeavor to produce and manufacture three unique suits with different pieces which is why I am doing this project in phases. I want to be sure I can accomplish each phase thoroughly and with attention to the details that will make these suits special.

 
Actual girls who chose suits over dresses. We want to give them suits made for them! #GirlsWearSuits #SharpDressedGirl #SuitHer #SuitsForGirls #SuitEquality
 

My Background

My story begins with my daughter who is now fourteen years old. At age three, she began to make her own choices about the clothing she wanted to wear. She did not like pink and she did not like sparkles. She liked bright and bold colors. She liked things not found in typical girls' departments.

Back in 2010, when she was five, she wanted to wear a tuxedo to her violin recital. She always loved ties - especially bow ties. From a very young age she wanted a tuxedo. She would say, "Mom, I want a tornado!" [sic] We searched and searched and couldn't find one for girls...so we bought her a boy's tux. She wore it proudly with her black and white Jordan high-top sneaks and her (then) long hair pulled back in a ponytail. Since then, she has opted to wear suits for many occasions.

 

(My girl at five in a tux and Jordan high tops!)

I found myself unemployed due to layoffs during the recession. I decided to pursue my passion for providing non-stereotyped clothing and toy options for girls like my daughter, so I sold my wedding ring to get started and created the Princess Free Zone brand, blog and website. I knew that my daughter could not be the only girl who preferred non-princess, non-pink, non-glittery clothing, but rather race cars, building toys, and super heroes. And come to find out - I was right. 

My goal has always been to create a clothing line for girls that offers ALL girls more choice in how they express themselves. After all, if they're not seeing alternatives to princess and pink, they can't choose something different; and many do not even consider going to boys' aisles or departments. And why should they have to?

Princess Free Zone has been producing fun, hip t-shirts for girls since 2009, including designs like a dinosaur riding a scooter, an octopus with a mustache, and a crab made of tools. In addition, we've introduced a line of gender-equal tees featuring the phrase "SHOW YOUR COOL" for both girls and boys.

 
Scootersaurus Tee by PFZ (photo by Jes Brown)

In addition, I also wrote and published a children's book called "Super TooLula: The Kind Warrior" which features a young phenom named Lula who has her own tool belt and helps her dad with carpentry projects. She uses her super hero gifts and magical tools to protect and come to the aid of kids who are mistreated or bullied.

Through my Princess Free Zone (PFZ) website, blog, and social media, I have learned that there are countless girls who aren't being recognized or respected in the mostly pink-and-princess departments. Behind them are supportive parents and relatives looking for more choices, who don't want their girls limited by what big companies decide is for girls. I've worked hard for six years not only to provide alternatives for kids, but to build community and engage in a conversation around gender identity and stereotypes so that I could be a part of the change I wanted for my daughter and, ultimately, all girls.

PFZ has been featured in The Huffington Post as one of "12 Brilliant Kids' Clothing Lines That Say No To Gender Stereotypes." I've also been a guest on CNN's HLN speaking to princess culture and how girls particularly are bombarded with messages that deplete their self-esteem, body image and confidence.

Most importantly, I gave a TED Talk last year about my experience parenting a daughter who simply didn't like pink or princess and how we, as parents, can make a difference in their lives by simply allowing them the opportunity to express themselves as they see themselves. That is truly one of the primary messages behind SUIT HER.

What is the long term goal?

We are starting with SUIT HER to be able to get the concept from designs to physical prototypes. Once we go into production, our intention is to offer more fabulous suit designs (like a fabulous red suit and even a patterned suit) and eventually a full clothing line.

ALL GIRLS ARE NOT THE SAME...AND WE WOULDN'T WANT THEM TO BE!

If you want to be part of expanding options for girls so that they know that being a girl means being whoever they want to be; if you want to be a part of real change when it comes to gender stereotypes--then JOIN US. I have put my heart and soul into SUIT HER and wholeheartedly believe that it is a game changer. It's going to be an exciting journey and I hope you'll join me.

Updates

The Campaign FAQs

  • Girls and women wear suits
  • There are currently no companies whose focus is suits for young girls
  • Girls who want to wear suits typically purchase boys' suits
  • Suit Her will be manufactured in the US
Jen Stillerman
10/06/2019
Monetary Contribution With No Reward
$100
Elizabeth Quick
09/09/2019
Monetary Contribution With No Reward
$10
robin day
08/16/2019
Super TooLula E-Book by Michele Yulo
$25
Gabrielle
08/13/2019
Monetary Contribution With No Reward
$20
Dae
08/10/2019
PFZ's KIND=COOL or Scooter-saurus tee
$100
08/08/2019
PFZ's KIND=COOL or Scooter-saurus tee
$100
Dina Linfoot
08/08/2019
One SUIT HER suit of your choice
$200
Coley
08/07/2019
One SUIT HER suit of your choice
$200
Shari M
08/07/2019
One SUIT HER suit of your choice
$250
08/07/2019
One SUIT HER suit of your choice
$200
Monetary Contribution With No Reward

Just Because I Care

5 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Super TooLula E-Book by Michele Yulo

Michele Yulo's children's e-book featuring Lula--a girl who loves to build and problem solve with her friends in the Good Builders Club. But she is also an honest-to-goodness super hero with magic tools and tool box who tackles bullying by teaching everyone that being KIND is COOL!

499 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
75.00 USD
PFZ's KIND=COOL or Scooter-saurus tee

Please choose from either our KIND=COOL or our fun Scooter-saurus tee in sizes from children's to adult. 

298 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
Full SUIT HER collection

You will receive one of each of our amazing suits which includes a jacket and bottom of your choosing.*

 

*Reward only if project is fully funded.

100 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Tucker, GA
Created 1 Campaign
Social Good

Rewards

Monetary Contribution With No Reward

Just Because I Care

5 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Super TooLula E-Book by Michele Yulo

Michele Yulo's children's e-book featuring Lula--a girl who loves to build and problem solve with her friends in the Good Builders Club. But she is also an honest-to-goodness super hero with magic tools and tool box who tackles bullying by teaching everyone that being KIND is COOL!

499 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
75.00 USD
PFZ's KIND=COOL or Scooter-saurus tee

Please choose from either our KIND=COOL or our fun Scooter-saurus tee in sizes from children's to adult. 

298 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
Full SUIT HER collection

You will receive one of each of our amazing suits which includes a jacket and bottom of your choosing.*

 

*Reward only if project is fully funded.

100 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward