Penelope Gazin

American artist and clothing seller

Penelope Gazin is an artist, animator, dancer, and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles.[1] She is the co-founder of Witchsy, an Etsy-like online marketplace for humorous and kitschy art, and the founder of Fashion Brand Company.[2]

Gazin and co-founder Kate Dwyer received media attention in 2017 for inventing a fake co-founder for Witchsy named "Keith Mann.” They revealed that their interactions were more well received and outcomes more favorable when investors thought Gazin and Dwyer had a male business partner.[3][4][2][5]

Gazin appeared in photographer Parker Day's 2017 portrait series ICONS.[6][7]

## Fashion Brand Company[edit]

In May 2018, Penelope Gazin founded a clothing company called Fashion Brand Company.[8] At the time, she had no experience in fashion. The company sells unusual and creative clothing, such as a sweater covered in nipples, an "octopus mini dress" with eight sleeves, and knitwear for lizards.[8][9] Fashion Brand Company is noted for its inclusive sizing, with sizes going up to 7XL.[10] Gazin told Nylon, "So much of my brand is just a stupid joke that I just kept taking it farther and farther because it makes me laugh."[9]

## References[edit]

1. ^ Luciano-Adams, Beige (2018-01-17). "Balancing High and Low, L.A. Art Show Hits Its Stride". L.A. Weekly. Retrieved 2018-05-19.
2. ^ a b "Battling bias, women entrepreneurs cash in with a fake male partner". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2018-05-19.
3. ^ "These Women Entrepreneurs Created A Fake Male Cofounder To Dodge Startup Sexism". Fast Company. 2017-08-29. Retrieved 2018-05-19.
4. ^ McGrady, Vanessa. "How These Entrepreneurs Created Etsy's Worst Nightmare By Faking A Male Cofounder". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-05-19.
5. ^ Peck, Jamie (2017-09-01). "When women sign off emails as men, doors open. It's like magic! | Jamie Peck". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-05-19.
6. ^ "The Photographer Transforming Her Subjects into Lurid, Strange Superheroes". Broadly. 2017-01-13. Retrieved 2018-05-19.
7. ^ "Meet the Fantastic Freaks of Photographer Parker Day's Subconscious". Vice. 2017-03-03. Retrieved 2018-05-19.
8. ^ a b "Why "Fashion Brand Company" Is Poised for Greatness". Repeller. 2020-01-10. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
9. ^ a b "Fashion Brand Company Is The Industry's Best Joke". Nylon. 2019-08-09. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
10. ^ "Siobhán McSweeney Just Rejected A Bunch Of Designers And People Are Loving The Reason". HuffPost. 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2023-11-27.