Saint Harridan, a “masculine clothing company for women and transmen,” recently announced they will be going out of business. The owner of Saint Harridan Mary Going sent out a personal message to customers and supporters expressing her sadness.
She states in her letter, “I am proud of myself for being bold enough to take on such an audacious project and I am profoundly sad that I could not accomplish this mission.”
Below is the full message from Going.
I am very sad to report that Saint Harridan is going out of business. Our sales were excellent, but we simply needed more capital investment. Most clothing manufacturing companies like Wildfang and Betabrand start with $1.5m to $6m. We started with $12,000, raised another $200k in investment, and borrowed $250k.
Recently, funds that were promised were retracted, which is how this moment is taking us by surprise. We are unable to move forward, and unable to borrow any more money. We have been creative, scrapy, stalwart and focused, but in the end, we cannot make up for the lack of capital required to fuel a manufacturing company.
It is humbling to have worked as long and hard as I have, with great cost to my family, investors, lenders and customers, and to conclude that I simply needed more money than I could raise.
The fashion industry needs to change. Rather than forcing people into boxes and inspiring eating disorders, I want it to use its power to lift people up, giving the individual room to explore, validating identity, reflecting their beauty, power, and strength.
I am proud of myself for being bold enough to take on such an audacious project and I am profoundly sad that I could not accomplish this mission.
Shirley Chisholm and Jesse Jackson paved the way for Barack Obama; it brings me some comfort to believe that Saint Harridan has laid down a bit of runway for the one(s) who will ultimately be successful. I hope I can pass along that comfort to you.
The Saint Harridan website currently reads “Going out of business. Everything must go.” All clothing is on sale until all items are purchased.
Listen to Tagg Nation‘s exclusive interview with Mary Going.
