Merry Christmas! Christmas Plus Size Dresses

Merry Christmas! I hope Santa brings you all the fashion goodies you're hoping for

The race is on, ladies, to make like Santa and wrap and deliver all those presents in time for the big day on Friday. I don't know about you, but I need to get a move on!

And, just in case Santa is reading this, top of my Christmas wishlist is a Chanel bag.

Yes, I know I've mentioned this before - and I know these bags don't come cheap - but my argument is that it's a "forever" purchase. Right, Santa?

I've also had my eye on a Marc Jacobs hot-pink sequinned clutch and a Paul & Joe strapless jumpsuit from www.my-wardrobe.com.

So, now I've got my party outfit sorted, I'm looking out for something warm to combat these arctic conditions. I'm hunting down a pair of knee-high sheepskin boots - Made In Australia has some fab crystal-studded ones.

And, talking of clothes with a bit of bling, I got to wear two gorgeous dresses for the Strictly final on Saturday night. For the first show I wore an oyster silk dress by Petit S***pe, accessorised with a crystal-studded belt specially made by the show's costume designers Chrisanne - it was embellished with 1,000 Swarovski crystals.

Then for the results show I slipped into a dramatic full-length strapless sequinned dress by hot new designer Rachel Gilbert, with fab jewels by Astley Clarke (www.astleyclarke.com).

After 14 weeks of tans, tears and tantrums on the show, we saw people's champions Chris and Ola take home the glitter ball trophy, while heart-throb Ricky Whittle had to make do with being runner-up.

It was probably the closest fought final we've ever had.

We've also seen love blossom this series, not once but twice, with sweethearts Ali and Brian and of course sizzling Strictly couple Joe and Kristina.

I might need two hats next year - watch this space!

The final was a family affair for me - Vernon did his Radio 1 show from the studio. He lives and breathes the show as much as I do, so he was in his element interviewing the celebrities and dancers. Phoebe came too, handing out chocolate hearts to all her favourite dancers (all of them!).

Vernon returned for the main event with his mate Chris Moyles, who could cut a few shapes on the dancefloor himself. Series Eight perhaps, Chris?

Yesterday I was filming the Strictly Christmas special and I can reveal Austin Healey has agreed to perform the paso doble topless! Expect the full gun show, girls.

I wish you all the best for Christmas and I hope Santa brings you all the fashion goodies you're hoping for। See you for Strictly on Christmas Day.

Source:http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/tess-daly/2009/12/merry-christmas-i-hope-santa-b.html

Selfridges Drops Plus Size Clothing

Selfridges department store in abandoning plus-size offerings. London ditched , England. Photo: Getty Images

There's a big brouhaha brewing over Selfridges' latest move.

The British department store has subtracted plus-sizes from its inventory by dropping the Marina Rinaldi line, which catered to sizes 14 to 26, the Daily Mail reports.

Now, the store's highest size available is reportedly a size 18, sparking the ire of curvy customers.

"Half the country need size 16 or bigger," Cheryl Hughes, who runs a plus-size modeling agency, told the paper. "It's disgusting that Selfridges won't sell them."

"I was told they wanted to change their image," size-22 shopper Karen Segal told the source.

"They are saying plus-size clothing doesn't fit their image -- and therefore neither do I."

So, what does the narrow (literally) minded store have to say for itself?

"It's true we no longer stock Marina Rinaldi, however Selfridges is constantly updating its brand mix," Anita Barr, the store's Director of Womenswear and Childrenswear, tells the Daily Mail.

"This is also reflected in the sizing we offer. At present customers can find sizes up to a UK 18 in store."

Try telling that to a Size 20. And to add insult to injury, let's not forget that this is the same store that found room on its shelves for "mantihose."

Is Selfridges being insensitive and unrealistic by ditching plus-size clothes, or should larger shoppers stick to specialty shops? Leave a comment!

Meanwhile, read about Lara Stone's weight struggle in the modeling industry.

What's HOT @ Christmas Time In Plus Size Clothing

PURPLE PLEASER: Kerry Ann Murphy shows off a chic off-the-shoulder purple dress. This Christmas, when it comes to dresses, whether you decide to wear it long or ultra-short, make sure it is full of colour, says Kerry Ann Murphy, manager of Bang Bang (plus-size) Clothing Store located inside Aboutique Mall, Port of Spain. The traditional colours of red, green and gold seem to be a favourite for customers during this holiday season. From the sexy red heels to the fancy red dress, the Express visited the heart of Port of Spain last Tuesday to see what had many customers seeing red. In almost every store window you looked there was red everywhere. From the clothes on display to the beautiful and elaborate Christmas ornaments which adorned many of the store showcases. ’We carry so many styles in dresses, including plus-size and generally when it is a luncheon or small party short dresses are ideal. For dinner, it is a little more formal so usually customers opt to wear full-length dresses. And this year bright colours such as orange, red, green and gold are very popular. And as for accessories it is usually simple and classy,’ Murphy said. Echoing similar sentiments, Tinesha Buyer, the manager of the De Fuel Clothing Store, said, ’Though the little black dress will always be that one item of clothing that will remain timeless, this year women want colour for Christmas.’ And while the traditional colours of red, green and gold are the rage this season, store retailers have also seen the unconventional colours of pink, orange and purple striking a chord with women during this festive season। Source:http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_features?id=161571491

Source:http://www.torontolife.com/daily/style/shop-talk/2009/12/21/life-in-the-fast-lane-canadian-designer-mark-fast-returns-home-after-turning-heads-

Cinderella’s Closet introduces the Cinderella’s Closet Teen Board! The prom dress retail store, Cinderella’s Closet, recently posted their Calendar of Events which included try-outs to become a Teen Board member. Members of the Teen Board must be residents in Cinderella’s Closet’s local community in order to fulfill their duties as a member. The try-outs will be held on January 9th 2010 from 1pm to 3pm. Cinderella’s Closet is looking for female teenagers in their community to join Teen Board. Teen Board members will model prom dresses in Cinderella’s Closet fashion shows, represent Cinderella’s Closet at their high schools, volunteer in their local community, and earn discounts on Cinderella’s Closet merchandise. This will give teens an opportunity to volunteer, earn discounts, build their modeling resumes, and add extracurricular activities to their college applications! To be a member of Cinderella’s Closet’s Teen Board you must be a talented, enthusiastic, and motivated teenager in the surrounding community. The Teen Board is also looking for models to wear plus size prom dresses. Cinderella’s Closet has made becoming a member of Teen Board really convenient. All you have to do is fill out the application on www.cinderellasgowns.com under the Calendar of Events tab and attend the try-outs on January 9th 2010. The application includes many different aspects including appearance and personality. A complete application will include a head shot, full body shot, the applicant’s measurements, the applicant’s height, the applicant’s dress size, and some information about why she wants to be a member of the Teen Board. Try-outs are held January 9th beginning at 1 PM at Cinderella's Closet. Being a member of Teen Board at Cinderella’s Closet offers many opportunities. Teen Board members will model prom dresses at the fashion shows held by Cinderella’s Closet, allowing them to build their modeling resume. The members of the Cinderella’s Closet Teen Board will represent Cinderella’s Closet at their respective high schools. This allows the members to share special offers with their peers. A member of the Teen Board will also be expected to be a spokesperson for Cinderella’s Closet. The experience of being a spokesperson for any business or organization looks wonderful on all college applications. Teen Board members will also be responsible for helping out their local community. Cinderella’s Closet’s Teen Board members are teens helping teens to make a difference in their community. After becoming a member of Teen Board they will be eligible to earn discounts on Cinderella’s Closet merchandise. Cinderella’s Closet’s Teen Board members are talented, enthusiastic, and motivated teen leaders from the Cinderella’s Closet community.

Cinderella’s Closet Source:http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/apparel-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=80536

Life in the Fast lane: Canadian designer Mark Fast returns home after turning heads in London

Mark Fast at Ame, flanked by two models in his designs (Photo by Karon Liu)

With such magazines as Rolling Stone, ID, In Style, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and nine editions of Vogue (Korean, Japanese, Chinese, American, British, Italian, Russian, Greek and Spanish) featuring his designs, it’s odd that Manitoba-born knitwear designer Mark Fast doesn’t get more mainstream attention in his home and native land. But that could change shortly.

The 29-year-old was fêted at the Rubino brothers’ new restaurant, Ame, in Toronto on Friday night—a splashy homecoming party following recent successes overseas. Fast, who has lived in England for the past eight years, caused a stir during London fashion week when he chose three plus-size models to wear his form-fitting knit dresses; his stylist quit, saying that the models “didn’t have the walk down as well as the more experienced slimmer girls.” His clothes have recently been spotted on pretty young things, including Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester, and he won a coveted sponsorship from the British Fashion Council to show at London fashion week in February. “All of my ideas came from here, and I don’t want to be hidden away in London forever,” Fast told us on Friday. “Someday I’d like to get a place in Vancouver.”

Wearing a loose untucked shirt and baggy black pants, with wavy blond hair and a cherub face, Fast looks more like a surfer than someone working in fashion. He’s sitting on a low bench trying to make himself heard over the music blasting throughout the restaurant as media and industry types mingle in the bar area. Flashes occasionally go off, though the photographers are disappointed that Canadian model Coco Rocha couldn’t make it due to a late flight. In the back, bloggers congratulate Shinan Govani on his book, and Fashion Television’s Glen Baxter chats with models dressed in Fast’s creations. It’s a peculiar scene for someone who was living in a small town outside Winnipeg a little more than a decade ago.

“There was a subculture of ravers and Goths,” Fast recalls of the local teen fashions. “We had our own sense of style—buffalo chic, or rather bohemian.” He says he has always wanted to be involved in the fashion industry in some way, though he wasn’t a kid who made his own clothes; his mother was the resident seamstress and a source of inspiration for Fast, who would watch her sew at home.

The budding designer moved to Toronto to study patterns and garment making at Seneca College’s Newnham Campus for a year before moving across the Atlantic to get a BA and MA at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design (he graduated last February). Fast’s name is now among the school’s famous alumni: Stella McCartney, Paul Smith, John Galliano and Zac Posen.

As for his signature knitwear, he began experimenting with the medium at the suggestion of a tutor at Saint Martins. “All you have to do is inject contemporary yarn into traditional stitching,” he says of his clothes. “I could take the usual sweater and inject a Lycra yarn into it to completely change it.” Fast says he also gets his ideas from old photographs and movies by such unconventional filmmakers as Tim Burton and Terry Gilliam.

“I could say a bunch of worlds like ‘strong’ and ‘brave,’” he says when asked to describe the woman he designs for. “But I design for just about anyone who appreciates good quality and craftsmanship.” His ideal celebrity model? Tilda Swinton.

With that, he gets up to talk to the dozens of other people hoping for a moment of Fast face time before he flies back to London the next day। But this won’t be the last time Canadians will be hearing of him; he has a few (unannounced) local projects lined up and sees the sartorial sparkle in Hogtown. “You can always find pockets and subcultures of great fashion here. Sometimes Toronto can be more fashionable than London.”

Source:http://www.torontolife.com/daily/style/shop-talk/2009/12/21/life-in-the-fast-lane-canadian-designer-mark-fast-returns-home-after-turning-heads-in-london/

The rise of plus-size?

When 20-year-old model Lizzie Miller appeared on the pages of a US fashion magazine, un-airbrushed to show a small roll of fat around her stomach, the world went mad. Many championed it, others hated it – but no-one can deny it bought the plus-size issue well and truly to the fashion table. And now, V magazine have joined the debate by announcing their first issue of 2010 will be dedicated to plus-size models.

"Big, little, pint-size, plus-size — every body is beautiful. And this issue is out to prove it," says editor, Stephen Gan. Gracing the pages of the edition will be models, both in clothes and nude, photographed by the likes of Terry Richardson, Bruce Weber and Karl Lagerfeld (he’s obviously changed his tune since that “No-one wants to see curvy women” comment, then…)

How exciting! While the names of successful plus-size models may not roll off the tongue as easily as ‘Naomi’ and ‘Kate’ do, all the recent hubbub around the issue surely shows the tide is turning when it comes to their recognition in the industry. So, to get ahead of the curve so to speak, check out our run-down of the big names in the plus-size biz…

Crystal Renn
After having minimal success as a “normal” working model and developing an eating disorder in the process, Crystal embraced her curves and has gone on to become the most well-known and highest-paid plus-size model in the industry. She has appeared on the pages of top fashion magazines, walked for Jean Paul Gaultier, and fronted a campaign for high-street giant Evans.

Kate Dillon
The beautiful red head has three Mode covers under her belt, plus a clothing contract with Liz Claiborne and a cosmetic contract with Isabella Rossellini's Manifesto line. Like Crystal Renn, she withdrew from a (very successful) “normal” modelling career which included work in all the major fashion capitals, after developing an eating disorder. She was the first plus-size model to be shot by fashion photographer Richard Avedon.

Mia Tyler
The daughter of Aerosmith front man Steve Tyler and half-sister of Liv, Mia has fronted campaigns for H&M and Pennington’s in Canada. She has graced the pages of numerous magazines including high-fashion titles. She is currently working on an acting career.

Whitney Thompson
After winning the coveted title of America’s Next Top Model in cycle 10 of the reality TV show, Whitney Thompson – who was compared to Anna Nicole Smith during her time on the programme – became the face of Covergirl Cosmetics and bagged a spread in a major teen magazine.

Hayley Morley
Mark Fast caused a media storm at this year's London Fashion Week after he sent plus-size models onto the catwalk in his knitted bodycon numbers. And leading the strut in the opening outfit was 21-year-old size 12 model Hayley Morley. Having caught everyone's eye with her ice-blond locks, womanly curves and gorgeous cheek bones, we reckon she is definitely a face (and body) to watch.

Source: http://www.graziadaily.co.uk/fashion/archive/2009/12/14/the-rise-of-plus-size.htm

Layers – The perfect look for this winter

The winter months call for an added dose of creativity when it comes to looking fashionable and staying warm. The layered look is a trend that has become increasingly popular and allows one to look great without sacrificing comfort. This look is a stylish choice for men and women of every size. Wearing layers makes one look polished and pulled-together.

Providing the winter perfect look, the ‘Layers’ are elegant and helps to fight the chilly weather in a stylish way. Layers with structured pieces are the way to go this winter. Structured layer with simple clothes & clean lines are flattering to the full figure. Any item with details that create shapes is the most recommended fashion buy this season. For example, wear garments with empire or clinched waists; try well placed darts or ruching (zig zag pattern). Typically, the more seaming a garment has, the better it'll look on a super curvy body.

Layered look can also be faked, it's not always necessary to wear multiple garments; there are plenty of items in the market to help achieve the perfect layer look. Some suggestions to get the look: Wear a cami bra under tops with deep v-necklines or choose shirts & sweaters with built-in collars and cuffs which will give the illusion of layers.

Shrugs, scarves, camis & other layering pieces like knee length boots, woolen caps, gloves etc. are great add-ons to the wardrobe. For girls pairing a sexy short dress with leggings or tights and a vibrant shrug or bolero could do wonders. Waist coats teamed with a bold hue top and scarves also makes to an interesting combination for layers. Shrugs are the most commonly used piece to create the layered effect. It comes in all shapes, colors and textures

Stiff or medium weight fabrics works best for layers, anything too light and flimsy won't hold much shape. For instance: This can work if it's a base garment and wear something with more shape over it. Otherwise, one can run the risk of looking bigger.

Layering with bulky materials is an absolute ‘NO’ as hefty fabric adds unnecessary fullness. For instance: Plus size women should try a boxy jacket to counterbalance a full bust or a wide midsection. Or bring attention to the shoulders to take the focus away from fuller hips. To make the layered look work, you must keep an eye on the overall silhouette.

Full-figured women just have to make sure their outfits don't add extra padding to their frames and stick to dark colors as they have a slimming effect while lighter colors give the appearance of fullness.

The layer look fits well for casual as well as the formal look. Depicting the mood of the season, a host of apparel brands like Wills Lifestyle, Lifestyle, Bossini, Max, Spash and many more reflect the layered look explicitly in their AW 09 Collection.

Lifestyle: This season, set out on a journey of rediscovery as Lifestyle launches its 2009 winter wear collection which promises to have fun and youthful elements like Edgy fashion, chic designs, bold hues and more. For the winters the focus is on Layers as it increases one’s style quotient while also providing comfort. The colours used are vibrant and kaleidoscopic range of colours, the Winter collection has a feel of fun and frolic to it. Winter accessories such as sweaters, woolen caps, mufflers, gloves etc form an integral part of the winter wear collection by Lifestyle.

Splash: The Splash Winter wear collection is a shot of power and energy that has the potential to jolt its customers out of recession fatigue with the most fashion forward line ever. The range inspired by a futuristic theme is designed as per the latest trends on the international ramp and offers current rages like tulip shaped pencil skirts, shrugs, work-wear denims starting at Rs. 500.

Women can dress this winter by sporting the `80s Power Dressing` trend this fall. As the structured and tailored look returns, it brings along a futuristic twist to season chic. Exaggerated sleeves, powered shoulders and body con dresses in streamlined silhouettes bring out the theatrical impact of 80’s fashion. You can lend expression to the power woman in you with leather jackets, burnished metallics, mesh and furs accentuated in antique gold, berry tones and blacks.

Max Retail brings you a wide range of smart and affordable Winterwear comprising of smart, chic yet elegant cardigans and pull-overs in acro wools, mohair and angora blends for women. Hues like royal purple, magenta, pine to burnt orange and burgudy make this is a very colourful and vibrant range.

The winter collection comes in varied styles like jackets in wool blends, kimono sweaters, wrap around shawls, long sweater dresses which are so international in there styling and yet so affordable! Argyle patterns,cables and jacquards are also on the offing. Starting from Rs. 469/- the Winter wear collection from Max is a definate must have!

Tyne Tees Plus Size Models

SKINNY size zero models are out and larger ladies are in at a North agency searching for curvy women.

Tyne Tees Models launched a search for larger women in the Sunday Sun earlier this month, after several clients demanded “real women” to star in their advertising campaigns instead of stick-thin catwalk queens.

The Newcastle-based agency didn’t have enough beauties to meet the demand.

But they have now been inundated with applications – more than 100 in the first few days after our appeal – from women all over the North East.

Agency bosses have now called in their six favourites, who are between a dress size 12 and 16, for a test photo shoot in their city centre studios, to see if they have what it takes to be a model.

And manager Lesley Middlemiss says all the women – Sophie Cuthbertson, Rebecca Brown, Emma Winder, Michelle Storey, Paula Luke and Natalie Stempniak – could get a place on the agency’s books.

Lesley, who is also a former model, told of her delight at the response to the Sunday Sun appeal at the start of the month.

She said: “I am absolutely chuffed to bits, we’ve been inundated with applications.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t bring them all into the studio but we’ve picked our favourite six to come in for a special photo shoot, and so we can find out a bit about them too. Evans kindly loaned us some clothes too and they all look absolutely fabulous.” One of the “finalists”, health care nurse Emma Winder of Carlisle, Cumbria, hopes she impressed Lesley’s team enough to be taken on to the books.

The young mum, 23, said: “We’ve had a fantastic day and I would love to take it further.

“I had my little girl Sienna two years ago so my whole body has changed shape – I’m a dress size 14 – but I’m very comfortable with my curves.”

Hairdressing graduate Rebecca Brown, 21, of Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, said: “It’s been a really exciting experience.

“I always thought there was nothing in modelling for me because I’m a size 14 but I’m very, very happy with my figure.”

Paula Luke, 24, a support worker for people with autism, of Jarrow, South Tyneside, got the courage to contact the agency after seeing an advert featuring a plus-size model.

She said: “Quite often people will say to me “you should be a model” but I thought you had to be a size zero and I’m a dress size 16 . . . but then I saw a billboard advert for a clothing range for bigger ladies.

“I think the whole size zero debate is ridiculous anyway, and so unrealistic . . . I think people would rather see real women on the catwalk.”

Plus Size Fashion Trends

Here's the good news about plus-size fashion.

The industry is more or less listening to what women want. Hip new Web sites and blogs are cropping up all the time with links and news about cute, chic clothes. Given that the average American woman wears a size 14, according to a recent segment on plus-size fashion on "CBS News Sunday Morning," and with the recent outcry over an absurdly altered Ralph Lauren ad that made the already teensy model look grotesquely thin, there's hope that more designers will cater to curvy women.

The bad news: You won't find any Chanels separates from hot labels like Alexander Wang, and the department store offerings are far more traditional than trendy - if they have plus-size departments at all.

E-commerce is taking up the slack, but it will take time. "Patience and research, patience and research," counsels Marie Denee of Oakland, a former Bay Area women's contemporary clothing retail manager who started her own Web site, in September, and blog, the Curvy Fashionista, in December 2008.

"I want my site to be a place where you can find out what Jennifer Hudson wore, what Beth Ditto said and where to find the latest trends," she said.

Denee is happy there are so many contemporary plus-size lines out there. "There's Jibri, Qristyl Frazier, Gayla Bentley, Faith 21 (Forever 21's new plus-size line), Torrid, Amanda Uprichard and Kingley & Posh," she says.

Several big-name designers, including Michael Kors and Calvin Klein, do cute plus-size lines; Oscar de la Renta and Betsey Johnson do plus-size lingerie. At Macy's, in addition to Klein and Kors, you'll find Tadashi, INC, Sunny Leigh and Studio M. At Nordstrom, the Suzi Chin line has been a longtime favorite with plus-size shoppers.

From New York, Sarah Conley's chic and cheery photo blog, On the Plus Side, is a fun, informative read. Locally, Igigi.com (pronounced ee-zhee-zhee) is a hip San Francisco plus-size Web site run by designer Yuliya Raquel. She started Igigi (the name given to some ancient Mesopotamian gods) in 2000.

Her Web site's LC (Limited Collection) is her nod to runway trends, with structured jackets sporting interesting cuffs and hems, and slimmer pants; all the clothes are made in San Francisco.

"The plus-size woman is a savvy and sophisticated shopper, and I think plus-size designers are finally starting to celebrate women's curves rather than cover them up with piles of fabric," she says.

Not the trendy type? For a more artful look, Go Figure, a popular plus-size boutique on Clement Street, delivers with lots of classic looks from European and Scandinavian brands. The boutique carries lots of hard-to-find labels in nicer fabrications than the polyester of old.

"I make every effort to get the silks, satins and georgettes," says owner Carolyn Honig. "My customer spans all ages and is looking for a more arty, unusual look." For the traditionalist, there's San Francisco's Harper Greer, which has carried its own made-in-San Francisco designs since 1985.

And, of course, the been-there-forever chain Lane Bryant caters to just about everybody, offering a range of both conservative and more youthful looks.

If there's a clear consensus among plus-size experts, it's to wear the proper foundation garments, find the best fit and let the fabric hug your body without clinging.

"Make sure your clothing choices are somewhat fitted so you don't add extra girth to yourself, but at the same time, making sure that they don't pull or ride is important," says Liliane Klein, a plus-size model and actress starring in Neil LaBute's poignant and provocatively titled "Fat Pig," at the Aurora Theatre through next Sunday. "Your clothes should lay nicely on your body. ... I am a huge fan of control-top anything," she adds with a smile.


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