Curvalicious UK: Fashion News

H & M Inclusive!!!

21/01/2011

I am so thrilled to hear to the news that H & M have decided to produce a new 'one off' collection which incorporates plus sizes in with 'regular' sizes. The range, which launches exclusively online in March includes figure-flattering party dresses in 50’s styles with large polka dots and rose patterns, as well as skirts, tops, cardigans and lingerie following the same theme, and will be available up to a UK size 24.

This news is like a breathe of fresh air to those of us who still feel a bit of a stigma attached to shopping in the 'plus size' range. H & M already have a their BIB range which caters for sizes 18-28 (uk). However, this new initiative of theirs is another step in the right direction for main stream high street stores. Hopefully if the collection has a good response (which I think is a given), they will continue to provide these sizes for the rest of their styles. I for one will definitely be purchasing a few of these stunning items. Take a look at some of the range below and let me know what you think.

PLUS Model Magazine
09/11/2010

PLUS Model Magazine, the premiere virtual magazine celebrating the plus size fashion, beauty, arts and plus size modeling industries, inspires YOU to thrive in your curves, crave contemporary fashion and design your life on your own terms, sans apologies.

PLUS Model Magazine brings aspiring and professional plus size models the information and resources needed to have a successful plus size modeling career. And for fashion conscious women with curves, they also report on the best beauty tips as well as plus size clothing companies and designers styling for today's modern plus size women.

Check them out at PLUS Model Magazine

ASOS Launches New Marketplace Website
05/11/2010

ASOS look set to rival Ebay with their new site ASOS Marketplace where they say you can buy, sell and inspire.

'You can get the first designs of future icons. Explore decades of vintage in seconds. Choose from ethical, emerging, recycled to revolutionary. Discover the worldwide wardrobe'

'Sell your designs, your vintage, your new brands, your old wardrobe favourites. Anyone who loves fashion can sell fashion on ASOS Marketplace'

'ASOS Marketplace is your fashion democracy. Your designs, your discoveries. Start a movement. Inspire and be inspired. Tap a new style source'

This is a fantastic opportunity for up and coming 'plus size' designers to showcase their wares. ASOS Marketplace has seen the longing by the general public for more wearable styles for the every day consumer. In addition to this ASOS have requested this merchandise to be photographed in a more editorial way, no still studio pictures. Therefore the potential buyers can get a better feel for how they actually look when worn. The items of merchandise can also be 'liked' which will place them higher in searches.

The site launches officially mid/end November and I for one think this is a fantastic venture and wish ASOS all the best of luck with it.

Simply Be Travels Overseas!

Simply Be have finally launched in the USA following their huge success in the UK.Simply Be is a sister company to J D Williams & Company Limited, founded in 1875 and which is the UK’s leading direct home shopping company, that operates over 20 brands, with over 2 million customers and 4,000 employees.

In the UK Simply Be are known for their big choice of dresses for the more curvier ladies out there. From smart work wear styles for the office to pretty day dresses, gorgeous party dresses and elegant evening gowns.
When Simply Be were considering making the move to selling their products overseas they were looking for the right type of company to help promote their wares and naturally Madison Plus was this company.

Madison Plus was created by Erica Young and Aimee Cheshire when they spotted a void in the market for plus size fashions. In U.S the average woman wears a size 14 (UK size 16), and an estimated 56 percent of American women wear plus sizes. I would say the UK is not far behind that. Realizing their mission for helping plus size women, they decided to create the website that would encompass everything they found in the contemporary market and dreamed about for the plus size market. MadisonPlus.com is the realization of that dream

So when Simply Be approached them to produce a Lookbook to announce their arrival in the U.S obviously they were thrilled to do this for them. Please visit their Lookbook, they have done a fabulous job and I’d like to wish Madison Plus and Simply Be all the best of luck on their new venture.