Episode 01: Jill McGowan

Material Wise

While working as a pattern maker at the Hathaway shirt company – a famed menswear manufacturer, Jill McGowan discovered that there was a big gap between the way men’s and women’s apparel of equal value was made. In 1994, Jill set out to improve the standard of women’s clothing and launched a signature line of shirts under the Jill McGowan brand. Today Jill McGowan products can be found in over 300 specialty shops across the country, its flagship store in Freeport, ME and on its ecommerce site. Jill shares her views on what makes a great shirt, finding the right materials that provide comfort and style, how she partners with suppliers. We also discuss the state of retail, fast fashion and the ever-evolving consumer.