Plus Size Fashion and Accessories Reviews & Tips

Last week, Designer, Mark Fast, the Canadian born knitwear designer sent plus size model Crystal Renn, a size 16, out on the London catwalk wearing two clingy, knit dresses from his Fall 2010 Collection.

This red dress

And this beige-colored dress

Photos: www.Imaxtree.com/Matteo Volta

His point? Women can look good in couture at any size.  Fast said, “Modeling should be about personality and variety.  It is about beautiful women.  Size should not come into the equation.”

Last season, Fast used models in his show in a range of sizes from 0 to 14.

What to think?  I don’t know.  I have to ponder a bit.

But, I am  liking it.

The story continues.

More as it happens.   Jodell <!– /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Helvetica; panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:536902279 -2147483648 8 0 511 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:””; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”;} p {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} –>

The American Red Cross is taking donations at 90999 (text the word “HAITI” and an automatic $10 donation is made), and you can support the foundation of musician (and Haiti-born) Wyclef Jean by texting the word “Yele” to the number 501501. (Texting takes barely a minute of your time and it is a great way to get involved!)

But beware – there are a bunch of scams surfacing in regards to the disaster and donation efforts! For legit Twitter news regarding Haiti, follow @Wyclef, @YeleHaiti,@CNNBrk and finally @HaitiGoodNews, which tweets the names of people who have been reported safe so family and friends can be aware and to spread hope to others.

Our hearts go out to the victims of the earthquake and their families, and all the people of Haiti during this difficult time.

This post has been reposted from Chic Steals

Happy New Year! Are you ready for 2010? I am! I’m feeling the excitement and opportunities already. I can smell the positive changes and the new ventures. This year I will be saying goodbye to Europe and moving back to Los Angeles and getting married to a wonderful man! THIS is my year! I hope you will jump aboard and follow me on my journey. So be prepared for more fab finds, amazing giveaways, styling tips, budget-friendly fashion and more surprises along the way!

I’m still working this week on some projects and I will be back next week full swing, so until then enjoy these gorgeous, handmade finds and STAY WARM! xoxo

Interesting story on CNN by Breeanna Hare.

Could it be?

Is 2010 the year for plus size models to get more work and continue the trend of placing plus size models in editorial campaigns-or- is it the same old cycle that we have seen before with a burst of activity that slowly fades away to be resurrected at a later time for the cycle to start again?

I am encouraged that there has been a number of recent high fashion editorial campaigns from V Magazine, Glamour, and Germany’s Brigitte Magazines with plus size models featured along side high fashion, Size 0 models or with models who represent women of all shapes and sizes.

Will it be enough to keep the momentum moving forward?

We know that the plus size models like Crystal Renn can hold their own against their straight-sized counterparts? Now, will the fashion industry and the public allow it, no…demand that it happens?  Finally.

Hmmmn. Remains to be seen.

More as it happens. Jodell

In this month’s podcast scheduled for Wednesday, January 13, 2009 at 3:00-3:45 p.m. EST. Black Cat Plus Radio will feature Sarah Maria, body image expert and Author of “Love Your Body, Love Your Life.”

Listeners can log onto the show live at on Wedensday, January 13, at 3:00 p.m. EST.  Shows are also archived for easy access.

Sarah Maria, a reknown body-image expert who helps people love their bodies no matter how they look, shows people how to discover the beauty that is already inside of them, right now, in this moment. Once people lconnect with this beauty, they will discover that anything is possible – that they can create a body and a life that they truly love. Sarah Maria’s mission is to create a world where every person sees the beauty in themselves and in others. Sarah Maria has trained with well-known teachers and physicians, including Deepak Chopra, Dr. David Simon, Wayne Dyer, and Jack Canfield, among others. Her work has been endorsed by Deepak Chopra, Dr. David Simon, and NY Times best-selling author Marci Shimoff, as well as many other notable physicians, psychologists, and educators. Before writing her first book, she received a law degree from Stanford and a Master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University.

We Love Colors has a New Plus Size Modeling Contest!  The contest runs all month long! All you need to do is to submit a headshot and body shot and one paragraph that talks about why you would look good wearing a pair of We Love Colors tights.  The Winner will receive three pair of tights FREE!

We’ve got all the details below! Check it out!

We Love Colors is a hosiery company that offers a large selection of sizes, including plus size, and colors for women, men and children.  They carry dancewear, tights, leggings, fishnet hosiery, socks and much more.  And, the colors range from solids to wild prints and everything in between! Baby, it’s cold outside! and with temperatures in the single digits, this is a perfect time to wear tights with your favorite outfit! So stock up now with all of your faves from We Love Colors!

Photo: We Love Colors.

We Love Colors has been featured in such magazines as Italian Vogue, Teen Vogue, Sportswear International, and W.  They also carry custom tights by Caroline Geys.  Ordering is easy! You can order on-line or by phone at 800-770-3177.  They ship domestic and internationally.  For the U.S., Shipping is only $5. For more fashion info, visit their blog!

I really love the drama of fashion photography and its ability to tell a story, don’t you?

Velvet d’Amour’s rendition of plus size fashion as an art form is a perfect example of fashion photography at its best.

In this dramatic, black and white photo spread for Plus Model Magazine, we are immediately drawn into another place and time.  We are intrigued as we get to know Islington Girl and Chole Marshall and Velvet d’Amour’s interpretation of a sexy vixen.

Once again, I am excited and encouraged to see a plus size model as the central figure in a fashion spread that captures the imagination and tells a story of not only fashion, but style.

Style is a trait that one can aspire to and have sooo much fun along the way.  Along with the images, I was inspired by a quote in the fashion spread from Edna Woolman Chase, the former editor of Vogue.

“Fashion can be bought.  Style one must possess.”

Psychologists tell us that style can be learned.  It is not an age or a size.  It is a combination of self-confidence and self knowledge–the essence of “who” you were, are, and intend to be.  Through style, we have the ability to create who we are and the part of ourselves that we wish to show the world.   Through style, we can sift through all of the clutter and find our inner self and take pride in showing the world our evolution of who we are—the work, the masterpiece, in progress.

Fashion is clothing, and simply a tool to exhibit one’s style.   Style is our universal, shared language that links us-regardless of age or size.

Here’s to dedicating the year to telling your story and creating your own unique style.

Great Work, everyone! More as it happens. Jodell

Oh, we love Crystal. She’s at it again!

You have to see this! Crystal Renn and 17 year old model, Jacquelyn Jablonski who has modeled for Calvin Klein jeans are pictured side-by-side in the next issue of V Magazine modeling outfits from Versace,          Ralph Lauren and Dolce and Gabanna.

Photographed by Terry Richardson for V Magazine, each model lends her own unique personality to the outfits.  We love this trend of using models of all shapes and sizes to represent all of us and not just the very thin or very young. Fashion, after all, does not stop at a size 4, it is for every woman who wants it.  Great work! More as it happens.