Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Olson Freed.
Hi Taylor, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello! My name is Taylor Olson Freed and I’m the founder of Draw & Fade Modern, a women’s golf brand. I have been playing golf for as long as I can remember, my dad basically had a club in my hand from the moment I could stand! Growing up playing the game, I’ve been able to see firsthand how difficult it is for women to feel a sense of belonging on the golf course. You hear people ‘joke’ that golf stands for “Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden”, you hardly ever see other women on the course and the women’s section of the pro shop is filled with clothes you normally wouldn’t be caught dead in. To say the game requires perseverance for women is an understatement.
So in 2020, when I was let go from my job due to Covid-19, I decided to start a brand that was aimed at addressing the issues I felt were causing women to not entirely feel welcome on the golf course. Through on-course initiatives, creating a community for young adult women golfers, amplifying like-minded golf brands/individuals and creating functional, fashion-forward women’s golf apparel, we’re working on accomplishing that mission.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been challenging to say the least. We had to switch clothing manufacturers when we were 80% done with our initial clothing line due to Covid. But, as a result, we were able to bring that work to the US and ensure sustainability and fair wages at every step of the supply chain. Also, working in a male-dominated field, it’s an uphill battle to get the changes we’re seeking on the course. This really forces us to lean into the education side of the issue so everyone can understand our point of view and make a more informed decision in terms of how they make the game more inclusive.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Draw & Fade Modern is a women’s golf brand whose mission is to make the game of golf more inviting and welcoming to the game’s female players. We have five initiatives to help us achieve our mission including on-course changes (eliminating gender specific tee boxes and allowing women to post to their handicap from all tee boxes), amplifying like-minded brands and individuals, creating a community of young adult women golfers and creating fashion-forward, functional golf apparel.
We are set apart from others because of our mission and trying to change the landscape of the game to be a more inviting environment for women or anyone who has walked onto the course and not seen anyone else who looks like them. I’m also so excited to bring functionality to women’s golf apparel. For so long, the rows of pink clothing has been made with short pockets, tight armholes and/or too tight in general, but functionality is at the forefront of the clothing we design and I’m able to take my 20+ years of playing the game to give women the golf clothes they need to feel comfortable playing.
How do you think about happiness?
I’m happiest when I’m laughing. It makes me so happy to have a big cheesy smile on my face and snorting from laughing too much, but it’s my true measure of happiness.
Pricing:
- We’re working to have all clothing under $100. We know the sheer cost of the game is a barrier to entry, so are taking smaller margins than other brands to ensure clothing is not another barrier.
Contact Info:
- Email: taylor@dfmodern.com
- Website: https://dfmodern.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dfmodern/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DF-Modern-105562424533199/?notif_id=1639824289356642
