I posted this on Instagram today.

Dear Gorman clothing,

I’ve been a loyal, frequent customer of yours for five years. Your clothes have changed my style – they make me very happy. I wore my favourite print of yours on my book cover.

But I’ve fallen out of love.

I’ve bought far fewer Gorman items – party due to the pandemic changing how I work, but also because you have disappointed me.

I bought this dress a few weeks ago, & I did buy another today. I can’t see myself buying anything further until you change your ways.

You’re mot size inclusive. Yes you go from a size 4 to a size 16 (not all of your clothing though), but you rarely show anyone plus sized wearing your clothes. Your sizing is inconsistent.

You appropriate designs from artists – the latest being the very talented Aretha Brown.

When you do pay artists, your payment is very low.

Your pricing is inconsistent – and you take us on a rollercoaster ride with sales. Up and down and up and down – all in a week.

Disabled people make up almost 20 percent of the Australian population – that is, we make up almost 20 percent of the Australian economy.

Yet you don’t reflect the disabled population in your advertising or in your stores.

Many of your stores are not wheelchair accessible – no wheelchair accessible entrances, and steps within the stores. I am talking about those south of the Yarra – I wonder if there are others? Your online content is not accessible either.

You’ve never featured a visibly disabled model – but you’ve featured a dog with a mobility aid wearing a dog coat!

And you totally ignored International Day of People with Disability on 3 December. What a missed opportunity.

I know so many people have bought your clothes because I wear them & post them. But you don’t show the same love. I was lucky to be featured once in a group photo on your Instagram feed, but you’ve never liked my posts nor shared my stories. Never. I wear your clothes often, posting them to a significant following – as do other disabled people.

The best thing to happen from being a Gorman customer has been the friendships made – a group of wonderful women who share a love of rainbow clothes.

This post is me holding me accountable. I will continue to wear the Gorman I have, but I will try to sell some. I will not be tagging them on my social media posts when I do wear them. I will support smaller, ethical brands who *are* committed are* committed to diversity, inclusion and  access.

❤️

I also posted this reply to a comment on a Gorman Instagram post, in response to someone saying shame on me for asking why Gorman overlooked Disability Day on Thursday? – don’t I know how much they’ve done for charity?

My reply: yes I have been to many Gorman events, and I’ve bought many items. But I call on them to do better. I’ve felt this for a while. I am not sorry that calling for better accessibility and inclusion, and for them to treat artists (and factory workers) better disappoints you. My stance on access and inclusion isn’t a new stance for me – I’m just calling for one of my favourite brands to do better.

I also want to add, I’m not worried about likes or shares or follows but I wanted to make the point of who they select to be seen. Because it’s not women like me.

And apart from regular sales, and gift bags from their launch events (one time I won a voucher) I’ve never received payment or free items. I’ve paid for it all.