Community Photoshoot
Sunday 11th – Hammered Café/Bar, Hitchin Arcade
Community + collaboration = perfect fit!
On a wintery Sunday morning, Lisa and Andi from GFW Clothing met with the lovely folk from North Herts Pride at Hammered, an independent café/bar tucked away inside Hitchin Arcade. Outside, it was a classic winter day — grey, cold, and drizzly, the kind that makes you question why you left the house at all.
Thankfully, inside the café it was warm (and dry). As we waited for everyone to arrive, some people clutched hot drinks like lifelines, while others had decided it was absolutely acceptable to start with a glass of wine! The atmosphere was relaxed, with that familiar buzz of nervous excitement — the good kind that comes from putting nice people in a room together and seeing what happens next.
The reason we got together was simple. We wanted to meet real people — people who already know us, know our shirts, and understand what GFW is about. We wanted to talk about fit and comfort, have a proper chat about the shirts, and then see them worn by real bodies and real people, modelling them in a way that actually reflects who they are (not how a catalogue thinks they should stand).
Before long, attention turned to the shirts. One by one, people were guided through the fitting process with the experienced eyes of Andi or Lisa. Sleeves were adjusted, shoulders considered, and mirrors consulted. Every detail mattered. Every body deserved consideration. The goal was simple but non-negotiable: everyone needed a shirt that actually fit — especially as we were about to start a photoshoot.
That belief sits right at the heart of GFW Clothing. Fit isn’t about conformity; it’s about comfort, confidence, and being seen as you are. In that tiny café, on a dull and drizzly Sunday morning, that ethos came to life — bringing some colour, a bit of sunshine, and quite a lot of laughter along with it.
Meet the people
The lovely folk from North Herts Pride & Herts Pride Pals
The people featured here represent just some of those who regularly come together through North Herts Pride and the Pride Pals (also known as Herts Pride Pals). Each brings their own creativity, lived experience, and perspective, helping to shape a community rooted in connection, visibility, and mutual support. This is not everyone, but it is a snapshot of a wider, growing group championing inclusion across North Hertfordshire.
Kit (they/them)
Main profession: Photographer (photographer for the shoot)
Interests & hobbies: Kit writes poetry, paints, and reads tarot cards alongside their photography practice.
Favourite place in the UK: Manchester — the best city in the UK.
Community & Pride Pals: Kit values the diversity and warmth of the local community, especially the sense of belonging that doesn’t require performing. Genuine connection matters deeply, and Pride Pals offers exactly that.
Favourite GFW shirt: The fish shirt — funky and full of personality.
Amanda (she/her)
Main profession: Conference organiser and administrator (now retired).
Interests & hobbies: Campervan adventures, tennis, padel, open water swimming, and singing with a community choir.
Favourite place in the UK: The Norfolk coast.
Community & Pride Pals: Since moving out of London five years ago, Amanda has enjoyed making new local connections. Pride Pals has been a lovely way to meet people and feel part of the community.
Favourite GFW shirt: The one she arrived in 'Deep Blue'— already a firm favourite.
Cathy Smale (she/they/other)
Main profession: Artist, working professionally for the past fifteen years.
Interests & practice: Cathy’s work began with paintings inspired by post-university travels and has evolved to focus on closer-to-home influences - garden birds, plants, and nearby wildlife. When not painting, she’s either indoors with tea and a board game or out walking, ideally ending at a pub.
Favourite place in the UK: The seaside, in all its forms.
Community & Pride Pals: Based in Hitchin, Cathy values the town’s creative energy and strong LGBTQIA+ friendships. She and her wife have been part of Pride Pals for several years, building lasting connections in a group that offers support, welcome, and a true sense of belonging.
Favourite GFW shirt: A short-sleeved Charlie 2 white shirt with bikes. Smart but not too smart, feminine but not too feminine!
Christine (she/her)
Main profession: Before retiring, Christine worked in education as a bassoon teacher and maths coach, and in Further Education across learning support, maths teaching, and equine studies.
Interests & hobbies: Christine plays bassoon with the London Gay Symphony Orchestra and the Central London Orchestra. She also renovates furniture at the Garden House Hospice workshop to raise funds and enjoys learning more about health topics.
Favourite place in the UK: Too many to choose from.
Community & Pride Pals: Through Herts Sapphists and Pride Pals, Christine has built meaningful friendships. Pride Pals is especially important in offering intergenerational connection and local LGBT+ visibility, ensuring people are seen, heard, and connected.
Favourite GFW shirt: The Pagan Christmas Tree and a the pink and plum stripes comes a close second!
Aqua (she/her)
Main profession: Data administrator.
Interests & hobbies: Aqua plays the euphonium with Hitchin Band, enjoys arts and crafts, and makes costumes, outfits, and fursuits. She attends furry, queer, and kink events.
Favourite place in the UK: Manchester’s Gay Village — for the events, atmosphere, and trams.
Community & Pride Pals: After discovering North Herts Pride a couple of years ago, Aqua began attending local meetups and monthly pub nights. Being part of a community where she truly feels she fits has been deeply meaningful.
Favourite GFW shirt: The paisley shirt worn towards the end of the shoot.
Clare (she/they/other)
Main profession: Head of Marketing for a digital software company.
Interests & hobbies: A big foodie who loves cooking for friends, an avid board game enthusiast, and a devoted Formula 1 fan.
Favourite place in the UK: St Ives, Cornwall; coastal walks, great food, and a thriving art scene.
Community & Pride Pals: After COVID, Clare and their wife reconnected with the local Pride community through Pride Pals, forming friendships for life and finding a strong sense of belonging within a connected queer community.
Favourite GFW shirt: The white and orange koi carp shirt, especially perfect for sushi nights out!
Ali (she/her)
Main profession: Works in museums as a Registrar.
Interests & hobbies: Cooking, baking, and reading.
Favourite place in the UK: The Cairngorms.
Community & Pride Pals: Ali values the friendships built through Pride Pals and the group’s ongoing support for LGBTQ+ issues.
Favourite GFW shirt: The fish shirt — loved for its fit and how well it worked with her trousers, especially when finding well-fitting shirts is often difficult.
Nanda (she/her)
Main profession: HR Advisor.
Interests & hobbies: Nanda loves settling down with a good jigsaw puzzle.
Favourite place in the UK: Cambridge — a beautiful place filled with very happy memories.
Community & Pride Pals: Nanda has many friends within the local LGBTQ+ community and has always been a supporter. Being part of Pride Pals is another way of staying connected and showing up for the community.
Favourite GFW shirt: The black shirt — great on its own, but also easy to have fun with and accessorise.
Yvie (she/her)
About Yvie: Yvie is Andi’s daughter and is 15 years old. She is currently studying for her GCSEs at Hitchin Girls’ School.
Interests & aspirations: Yvie is passionate about the performing arts and has plans to go to Cambridge, with hopes of joining the Footlights in the future.
Community & Pride: A strong supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, Yvie marched with Samaritans at Brighton Pride 2025. On the day, she very kindly did what her mum asked — including modelling GFW shirts — and brought enthusiasm and support to the shoot.
Favourite GFW shirt: Modelling whatever mum handed her — and doing it brilliantly.
About North Herts Pride
North Herts Pride is a community-led organisation dedicated to celebrating, supporting, and advocating for LGBTQIA+ people across North Hertfordshire. Through events, outreach, and collaboration, they work to create visible, welcoming spaces where people of all identities and ages can connect.
A key part of this work is the Pride Pals, also known as Herts Pride Pals, a group that brings people together through regular social meetups, shared interests, and mutual support. Pride Pals offers something simple but powerful: a place to belong. Whether someone is newly out, newly local, or simply looking to connect, the group provides warmth, friendship, and continuity.
This collaboration with GFW Clothing reflects shared values: inclusivity without compromise, celebration of individuality, and the belief that everyone deserves to feel comfortable and confident being themselves.
Credits
Photography: Kit Rees https://kitrees.com/
Shirts: GFW Clothing aka Gender Free World
Venue: Hammered Café/Bar, Hitchin Arcade
Community: North Herts Pride & Herts Pride Pals