I n a world that can often feel hostile and unwelcoming to those who don’t fit into traditional gender roles, The Phluid Project is a beacon of hope. Today, when gender roles and expectations continue to hold a significant presence in our everyday lives, the idea of a gender-free space is a radical concept. Yet, that is precisely what The Phluid Project has achieved, offering a space that is both inclusive and educative to everyone, regardless of gender identity. Founded by Rob Smith Rob Smith
After years of working in the fashion industry, Smith realized that there was a void in the market when it came to gender-neutral clothing. He saw an opportunity to create a space that would not only offer gender-free clothing but serve as a community hub for people of all gender identities. And so, The Phluid Project was born. Living in corporate America for several years, Smith developed an ethic that had more purpose and meaning than simply selling clothes. His vision came to life after a trip to Black Rock City in northwestern Nevada, where he attended the Burning Man festival.
(he/they) in 2018, The Phluid Project has become an important landmark in the movement toward gender equality and acceptance. A former marketing executive, Rob Smith, was inspired to create The Phluid Project after years of feeling boxed in by gender expectations. Growing up as a gay man in a conservative household, he struggled with the idea of being forced to conform to traditional gender roles. “It was like I was being told that I had to fit into this very rigid box of masculinity, and if I didn’t, then I wasn’t a real man,” he explained in our interview on Zoom.
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