We create clothes specifically designed for trans women, embodying the values of Quality, Inclusion, and Expression.

Do you identify as a transgender woman and find it challenging to find clothes that make you feel great?

To help us to better meet your needs, and the needs of our community, we invite you to share your thoughts and experiences with clothing with us.

And we encourage you to join our community. Keep up to date on our progress, and contribute to the positive impact we strive to make in the world of fashion.

Thanks for joining us on this journey…

What’s our motivation?

At Arketype One we realise that what we wear has a massive impact on our confidence in showing up in the world as we truly are.

While this is true for many folx, for transgender women what may be seen as mere garments take on a heightened importance in expressing our self-identity.

From her first sheepish venture into the women’s clothing section in a department store, to where she is now, our founder, Grace, noticed one constant: the fashion world is not well-equipped to support the needs of trans women.

Have you found that:

Shirts and dresses don’t create flattering curves where you need them, instead accentuating the bits you don’t want to highlight.
Skirts, pants and tights fall down because you don’t have the curvy hips to hang them on.
Size ranges stop just short of what you need, or
Prints and patterns make you look like a table cloth when scaled up to your size.

And when you do find something that works for you, it’s off the market before you even blink! So you have to start the search all over again…

And it doesn’t stop there. Have you ever:

Excitedly discovered a ‘tall’ or ‘curvy’ label, just to find that the cuts and curves are all in the wrong place?
Resorted to men’s clothes and shoes, because the rest just don’t fit?
Wandered fabric and pattern shops and thinking ‘is making my own clothes the only way I can get designs that work for me?’

Arketype One was founded to address these sorts of problems.

Our principles

Quality

We believe that true quality extends beyond durability, encompassing craftsmanship, timeless design, and sustainability. [+]

Our products are designed to last multiple seasons, allowing you to build a personal style that withstands the test of time. Each garment is thoughtfully curated for versatility and timelessness, to earn a place as a treasured piece in your collection.

We prioritise premium materials and expert techniques, reflecting the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.

Responsible sourcing and manufacturing are core to our ethos. From eco-friendly materials to ethical suppliers, we minimise our environmental impact—so you can embrace fashion choices that align with your values. [-]

Inclusion

We create a welcoming experience where trans women are seen, valued, and celebrated. We actively engage with our community to co-create our brand experience. We prioritise ethical production, respecting the rights of all the folx that make our products possible. [+]

Our clothing is designed specifically for trans women, with trans women heavily involved in the process. We embrace the diverse identities and lived experiences within the transgender community. We aim for clothing to be a genuine expression of their unique needs, styles, and aspirations.

We believe in the power of community. To us, our customers are not just patrons, but co-creators in shaping our products and brand experience. We listen to their voices, involve them in our design process, and seek to amplify their stories.

While we focus on the needs and requirements of trans women in our design process—everyone is welcome. Our clothes appeal to a wider and more diverse audience than the trans community alone.

Ethical production is a cornerstone of our commitment to inclusivity. We prioritise the well-being and dignity of all individuals involved in bringing our garments to life. Our supply chain upholds fair working conditions, fair wages, and respects the rights of everyone who contributes to our brand. [-]

Expression

We believe in the power of fashion to uplift, inspire, and validate individual journeys. We provide a transformative space for transgender women to explore and celebrate their authentic selves through fashion. [+]

We understand that clothing is more than just fabric—at its best, it is a profound expression of essence, identity, and belonging.

We embrace and celebrate the beautiful diversity of body types, sizes, and styles within the trans community. Our inclusive sizing ranges and diverse silhouettes ensure that every individual can discover pieces that bring confidence and comfort.

We seek to foster a community that values and supports each person’s journey of self-expression. Our goal is that Arketype One becomes a platform for stories, inspirations, and aspirations, reflecting the diverse identities of transgender women.

By celebrating the unique expression of transgender women, we strive to create a world where everyone can freely embrace their true selves and confidently express their identity through the art of clothing. [-]

Who we are

Hi, I’m Grace, the founder of Arketype One.

Arketype One is made up of a merry band of friends and colleagues that are joining together to get behind our principles and vision.

I’m a transgender woman who is relatively early in her transition journey. At 47 years of age, I’m a bit of a late bloomer, if you will.

Like many trans women, I’ve found it challenging to find clothes that really worked for me.

Throughout my two decade+ career I’ve had the privilege to work in and around a wide range of inspiring startups and social ventures.

It’s little wonder, then, that I’m a big believer in the power of business to create the things that you wish existed!

I’ve been interested in sustainably and ethically produced clothing for many years, including exploring starting a label a few times in my past. For various reasons, it wasn’t to be… but now is the right time to make this happen!

Get involved

Arketype One is still at the ground level, so if you have skills that you would like to contribute, we’d love to hear from you.

In line with our principles, we have a strong ethos of co-design. If you identify as a transgender woman, we invite you to share your experiences—to help shape our vision and inform our first products, so that we can better serve you, and our community.

We invite anyone that’s interested to sign up to receive notifications to keep up to date with our progress, and learn about the various engagement opportunities we are planning, as they arise.

However you choose to participate—whether that be as an observer and ally, or getting more actively involved—thank you for being part of the Arketype One journey.

Contact us

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Got questions? Feedback on our website? Skills you’d like to contribute? Something else burning a hole in your mind? Send us a note via email…

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