I love seeing new brands, boutiques, and designers launching that are catering to the plus size woman. Whether you fancy the edgy, classy, contemporary, or high end options, new brands are emerging to help fill the big black void that has plagued us hungry for fashion!

Online and in person, these three boutiques have caught my attention in a great way because of the void they are filling, their presentation, and their business acumen that has raised my eyebrow! Take a peek!

Eddy and Bri

With nothing over $100, Eddy and Bri sells garments that allow plus size women to be fashionable and feel good about what they are wearing. Including both new and resale clothing for plus size women sizes 14+, Eddy and Bri deliver fashion to those who are constantly in search of fashionable clothing that is “both affordable and well made.”

“We truly believe that fashion is about more than how you look, it is a state of mind, a lifestyle. Balancing affordability and quality, Eddy and Bri brings you fashion for all!”

You can shop Eddy and Bri here and make sure you check them out on Eddy & Bri on Twitter and Facebook!

Majesty’s Closet

Founded by sisters, Toni and Tionna Smalls, they have always had an eye for fashion. As developing into plus size women they both faced challenges of the not being able to fit clothes that they viewed as fashionable. Tionna Smalls of “What Chilli Wants” realized that she had to shop all over to reach her fashion goals; so after tackling the world of accessories with Shop Lovey’s, Tionna brainstormed with her sister, Toni to create Majesty’s Closet.

“Majesty’s Closet is all about the thicker girl being fabulous and dressing better than her size 4 friends. We plan to sell everything fabulous from dresses, leggings, hot sweaters, and even larger sized shoes. We will sell any designer who has the hot stuff whether they are known or unknown.”

Majesty’s Closet is set to launch online in January and their showroom will be opened in February/March in Richmond, VA. You can learn more about Majesty Closet at Majesty’s Closet (site under construction!) so follow them at on Twitter.

K Staton Boutique

Frustrated with the limited selection of places to shop and lack of variety, Jade Greer fashioned together a place to better suit not only her own fashionable needs but the American woman who wear sizes 12–30. This Maryland Boutique, K Staton is for women who “demand the trendiest, most fashion-forward, plus size apparel in a feminine, fresh, glamorous place all their own!”

Greer understands that you can’t just take a size 6 and use it as a template to create a size 16. Plus-sized woman are proportioned differently, so it is important their clothing be tailored to fit their unique curves order to flatter their figures. After tireless research, Jade Greer found the top designers who cater to plus sized woman and brought them to K Staton.

Visit K Staton Boutique here to learn more, give them a tweet or like them on Facebook!

What do you think?Are you familiar? Do you know of these boutiques and have you shopped from them? Also, do you know of any NEW plus size boutiques that deliver plus size fashion on a platter?

I want to know! Sharing is Caring!

Keep it Curvy.Confident.Chic.

Nothing feels better than taking a stand, posing a question, or positively affecting change or thought. Such is the case when Plus Model Magazine released its January 2012 issue and posed this question:

Plus Size Bodies, What is Wrong With Them Anyway?

From there, the post went viral!

Accompanying this question were facts and stats that backed up and begged for this question to be asked- challenging the status quo both within and outside of the plus size community. Facts such as:

• ·Twenty years ago the average fashion model weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today, she weighs 23% less.
• ·Ten years ago plus-size models averaged between size 12 and 18. Today the need for size diversity within the plus-size modeling industry continues to be questioned. The majority of plus-size models on agency boards are between a size 6 and 14, while the customers continue to express their dissatisfaction.

Did they pay attention? You bet! Asides from the physically striking images that make you stop and stare, FOX News, The Gloss, Fashionista, Daily Mail UK, Fashion Foie Gras, Styleite, and most recently, ABC World News with Diane Sawyer took note and wondered the same thing, so they asked Maddy (Editor in Chief of Plus Model Mag) for an interview on TV! SCORE!

But this is why it matters:

Within the plus size community we have been asking for, questioning why, however anytime that plus size fashion has caused a mainstream stir has usually been because of how fabulous a model is on a fashion mag and then the conversation stops there. What Plus Model Magazine did was smart. Posed provoking images coupled with stats and opened the door for dialogue on their terms!

For the likes of these magazines above to share and attempt to answer or question this same point is quite refreshing because the dialogue and conversation is now no longer insulated, it forces people to think and ask themselves questions that oftentimes never applied to them.

Am I imagining a world shift and immediate results? NO, I am not that naïve, however I am excited to see where this conversation continues to go and what changes could become the result of this! As long as we continue to stand up, speak out, and engage the audiences change can happen! THAT I do believe!

But, in the meantime, check out the Plus Model Magazine interview and feature on ABC World News!

Q. What say you? What are your thoughts about this and the attention this question is getting? Do you have an answer to this question begged?

This just in: PLUS Model Magazine on Entertainment Tonight TONIGHT to talk to Editor-in-Chief, Madeline Jones about the story “Plus Size Bodies, What is Wrong With Them Anyway?” on CBS 7:30PM EST/7pm PST check local listings for time in your area.

Keep it Curvy.Confident.Chic.

The 31 year old stylist, Trim Bashar Brown, opened his salon in his home after learning that some clients of size felt discriminated against in salons where slimmer women patronize as well.

Bashar told Daily Mail: ‘I’ve been a hairdresser for years. Increasingly, larger women were telling me how they hate going to the salon because they are filled with slim, glamorous women. For them, it feels the same as walking into a gym full of ultra-fit people. They feel like everyone is staring at them. I just thought – ‘this isn’t right!’ and decided to set up a salon where overweight people would feel comfortable.”

I don’t know about you but the salon isn’t like my fitting rooms. I don’t want to be segregated from the skinny chicks that are getting their hair done too. And I don’t feel uncomfortable when my curves ooze out of the salon chair. That’s the chair fault, LOL. It might be nice to add larger chairs and let the skinny girls swim in them?

I want to know you’re thoughts! Would you be offended or excited to have a Plus Size Salon?

What happens when you get Gwen DeVoe, Tara Lynn, Marquita Pring, Candice Huffine, Emme, Catherine Schuller, Jessica Weiner, Connie Elder, Kmart, Ashley Stewart, Bare Necessities, Lane Bryant, Avenue, and USA Today together?

You get some kind of amazing.

Today, MediaPlanet released a Full-Figured Fashion Report and placed it in front of one million people via USA Today, in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

This feature is quite major.

With a reach of over one million, from business to fashion consumers alike, this report fashioned by MediaPlanet is kind of close to amazing. Out to show the evolution and growth of the plus size market, MediaPlanet tapped pioneers within the plus community and featured a few new and familiar faces!

Why am I excited?

Screw heading over to magazine, this report and mini magazine features roundtable discussions with some of the largest plus size retailer CEO’s and Executives, Industry reports about what plus size women REALLY want, highlights the beauty of plus size women- without bringing everything back to the irritating “Obesity Rate in America” byline.

Full Figured Fashion Week™ founder, Gwen DeVoe opens up the report with her work with bringing plus size fashion to the forefront with her annual event headquartered in New York!

Some of the interviews and op eds include interviews with Tara Lynn, Candice Huffine and Marquita Pring! Highlight of this interview? Tara Lynn for saying:

“Our culture will continue to privilege any specific group only if we let it. By fearing discrimination, we fuel it. If instead we celebrate and respect ourselves, we begin to free ourselves of stigma.”

Seriously…

While I could go over each section, I invite you to take a read at the full report! What I am curious to see is how this will be received. I am elated and I hope to see more of these features and reports. As Catherine Schuller answers the question: How can we shine a brighter light onto full-figured fashion? With the perfect answer: Incorporate plus-size designs into the mainstream fashion industry.

Q. What do you think about this report? Have you read it yet? Aer you going to read? I, for one, am going to go find me a copy of USA Today JUST FOR THIS!

This is where plus size lifestyle magazine, Daily Venus Diva, sister site to PLUS Model Magazine and part of VIE Publishing comes in.

Divas in Need is an outreach program, recently launched, to “encourage women across the plus-size market to find their own empowerment, while providing them with opportunities to better their lives that they may not currently have access to.”

Seriously, this made me pause!    

One of the women in the plus size community who I hold sooo much love and respect for, Stephanie Penn-Danforth, Editor-in-Chief of Daily Venus Diva Magazine says, “Every Diva deserves to have her dreams come true, her wishes granted. This contest not only allows DVD to become a deserving woman’s fairy god mother, but it gives us the opportunity to introduce readers and contestants to plus-size friendly companies.”  

How does Divas in Need Work?

Every month, Daily Venus Diva will select one deserving entrant based upon their need, and work with plus-size business across the nation to contribute the necessary item.  The first business to announce their intention of working with this program is Sealed With A Kiss Designs.

Who does Divas in Need help?

According to Daily Venus Divas: “DVD is looking for women that need new attire, resume services, technology, or anything else that will help them land a new job, get that promotion, or succeed in a task that will better their lives and circumstances.”

Program Director and Editor Janie Mackenzie-Cohen shares, “I am incredibly excited to speak with these women, learn more about who they are and listen to their stories.  It’s seems almost impossible for DVD to select just one deserving woman per month to provide these services to, but we are thrilled that we have the ability to help strong women make the absolute best out of the opportunities they are presented with and thrive in all areas of their life!”

Seriously, how AMAZING is this?

If you are a business who wishes to participate, want to learn more OR if you are a Diva in Need, please visit: Daily Venus Diva.

Follow Daily Venus Diva Socially Here:

Click to read the latest issue of Daily Venus Diva!

Community:  Venus Diva | Twitter: DailyVenusDiva | Facebook: Venus Diva Magazine

Follow your heart and dream big. You can do anything. It’s true.~Mia Amber

Yesterday, May 10, 2011 the plus size community lost someone extremely near and dear to soo many.

Yesterday, I lost someone I admired, loved, respected, and cherished.

Yesterday, a family lost their daughter, wife, best friend, and mother.

Yesterday, we lost the ever so cool, friendly, giving, encouraging, inspiring, and motivational plus size fashion model, actress, and community leader:

Mia Amber Davis

Known by many for her role in Road Trip. Adored in the plus size fashion community, we have known her as sooo much more. One hell of a runway model, The face for Monif C, model on Rip the Runway, CNN guest commentator for size diversity, Plus Model Magazine Creative Editor, and this year’s Plus Model of the Year for Full Figured Fashion Week- Mia Amber was this and so much more to sooo many people.

Quick to give support, offer an ear, a hug, and her opinion, Mia Amber was a selfless champion for the plus size community. Quick to speak up and out about societal injustices – yet she had a knack for channeling the same impassioned energy into support or excitement for the newest developments into plus size fashion and the community.

For me, Mia Amber was the first model I interviewed on my blog, back in June of 2009. A beautiful person inside and outside, I remember when she and I finally met in person- FFFWeek 2009 as a guest on the panel for The State of the Curvy Community,  I was lightweight star struck and she was as cool as a cucumber. I mean stunningly so! From there, Mia and I would chat on the phone, connect when events allowed us to- and I recall the last time we hung out.

Last year, for the Just My Size Conference. Knowing Mia was walking, I bogarded my way backstage to chit chat with Mia- catch up, share with each other what has been going on in our lives- all before the show! After the show, Mia, Maddy, Stephanie, and others dined for lunch and unbeknownst to any of us, this would be the last time I would see her.

For the last month, I told myself I needed to reach out to her… she had been on my mind AND she had been in LA. Getting caught up in my little bubble of a world… time escaped me, the moment escaped me, a moment I will never have to reach out and just say hello to someone who has always been an ear, given guidance, and shown so much support from the beginning…

As tears fall from my face as I write this, I know she is in a better place, a happy space- yet the plus size fashion community has lost a true pioneer and legend; one whose generosity, humility, grace, poise, class, passion, dedication, and motivation for the plus size community transcended photos, runway shows, facebook, and twitter. To those who knew her, she was a friend, confidant, and sister. To those who knew who she was, Mia was an inspiration, an aspiration, and the epitome of a successful plus size model, actress, and community leader.

My heart is heavy and is heavy for the family she leaves behind. My prayers to the Davis family.  And while I could never capture all of what Mia Amber has done and how she has impacted the plus size community, this is my small attempt to pay my respect to an amazing woman whose friendship impacted me…

Yesterday, we lost a plus size community leader…

Yesterday, we lost a plus size model icon taken too soon…

Yesterday, we lost a beautiful spirit, friend, mentor, sister, and mother…

Yesterday, we lost Mia Amber Davis.

At the beginning of the year, I drafted a list of 10 things that I wanted, yearned, wished, crossed my fingers for, to see happen with the Plus Size Fashion Community. This year has been quite an eventful one! How did we do? What strides have been or haven’t been made? Let’s take a look! My ten items I wished for are numbered and in bold are my observations from this past year.

1. TYRA BANKS- We NEED a Plus Size Version of America’s Next Top Model! We knocked the petites, birthed a winner already- I think it is time for you to step out on a little plus sized faith and bring us our time to shine! Now, while we did not have “America’s Next Top Model” en plus sizes, she did do a “Fiercely Real” model competition. It’s all in the baby steps I suppose. The winner, Sheridan Watson, sure did take the crown! I still think we are overdue for this special episode… who knows? Half a check!
2. Attention show producers, We NEED a reality show that CELEBRATES and HIGHLIGHTS plus size women loving themselves, living healthy, being Fashionistas, confidently dating, and fashionably dressing our plus sized frames! Not all of us are sad, depressed, or rocking tents to hide our curves! As of today, there aren’t any shows on, HOWEVER there is a VH1 casting of a plus size version of Sex and the City in Los Angeles… There are quite a few studios looking for different angles. Who knows? We may just get a fair representation on the television screen- at least a girl can wish –yes? Half a check?
3. Glamour or LUCKY, let’s have a plus size column fashioned by a certain someone who is knowledgeable about the fashion options out there, unapologetic about her curves, and loves to share news and advice about plus size fashion! (*hint *hint *wink *wink= ME) (Hey, this is my wish list!) Marie Claire has Ashley Falcon, Jones Magazine brought on Dana Storm and Vogue Italy has Vogue Curvy, yet no other publication has a column for the fashionably plus sized woman… I think as plus size fashion is consistent in its attention from bloggers, writers, and media- some may take the step to seeing fashion from a plus perspective! Half a check!
   
4. Designers like Svoboda and Jibri to WALK in NY or LA Fashion Week! I know you can do it! I know you can rep for the Curvy Girls!!!! This September, we saw One Stop Plus showcase during New York Fashion Week! While they were not on the schedule, this still was a monumental step for plus size fashion- a first. NOW, we need to get a designer on the schedule!!! SK Wilbur showed during NYFW as well! Now we need to get them ON the MBFW runway or at least over at Mac & Milk! Check!
5. Full Figured Fashion Week to be bigger than ever! With coverage from the mainstream fashion mags and newspapers, seeing that we MEAN business! Full Figured Fashion Week™ landed on the front cover of the New York Times, in Glamour, Essence.com, and landed in Los Angeles- Check!
6. Okay. Bravo- since you have lost Project Runway and are looking for a fierce replacement, how about a fashion designing show catered to the size 12+ woman? Kind of like Project Runway but from an ultimate Plus Perspective? What do you think? Still Waiting….
7. I need a mainstream straight sized designer to be bold in a plus size range offering more than amazing cottons and jerseys! So (as I tap my chin) Marc by Marc Jacobs? Vera Wang? Proenza Schuller? Anyone? And not just for a special red carpet event. Well… Marc Jacobs announced his toying with the idea of plus, Saks introduced plus sizes into their Designer Collections, Elie Tahari extended his collection into plus size, Norma Kamali debuted a plus size collection for Wal- Mart, and Bloomingdales impressed with an online highly stylized plus sized department. Check!
   
8. Target- your Go International section rarely frequents a size 13- how about letting the plus sized, fashion forward, Tar Jay Shoppers getting in on the designer collaborations? Funnily enough, Afrobella, StyleIt, and myself started  a petition to Target for their inclusion of plus size fashions within their designer collections! 1776 Signatures and counting!
9. No more token Issues of the Plus Size woman how about the substantial and consistent integration of true plus size models? WELL. We have had out share of plus size models featured throughout the fashion magazines- more international ones  (enough for me to write an open letter to the US Mags). It is to note that our fellow plus size bloggers have been making progress in this realm as well! With fashion features, spreads, and guest blogging, plus size fashion bloggers have been knocking and some magazines have answered (have you read my Seventeen guest post?) Check?
10. That plus size women learn to love their body- learn your plus sized curves, love your plus sized curves, and thrive in your curves! (Even if you are a plus size woman with no curves!) Still hotly debated, challenged questioned, shamed, ignored, and championed we have quite a ways to go… but know that we are moving forward. Campaigns from the Girl Scouts, Real Bodies Unite,  Ben Barry Agency, PLUS Model Magazine, Daily Venus Divas, and mounds of others lead the way to bring you sources of inspiration and motivation to help you find your beauty! Half a Check!

So now that we have reviewed our wish list from the top of the year, there are quite a lot of happenings that can NOT go unnoticed. However, we will count those down in a few weeks! What do you think about our progress this year?