London Fashion Week – Plus Size Controversy

In a bold move, upcoming Canadian fashion designer Mark Fast decided to use three models from agency, 12+ UK in his London runway show last week. Not only is this groundbreaking for the fashion industry but it certainly also suggests that marketing for fashion lines might begin including a variety of body types.

There were reports over the weekend in several British papers; Daily Mail, Guardian, and Telegraph that the stylist and casting director for the fashion show had refused to work with Fast because of his choice to use size 12 and 14 models. They quit three days before the Saturday show, and freelancers Daniela Agnelli and Natalie Hubbarb stepped in to help make the show a success.

Today I read that the stylist is denying these reports as being her reason for abandoning the show. Erika Kurihara, who also works for the fashion magazine i-D, told the Guardian, “My ideal woman is [the size ten model] Lara Stone or Beyonce – I celebrate strong, healthy women.”

Fast, who designs figure hugging knitwear decided to use fuller figure models. Amanda May, Fast’s creative director, yesterday blamed the walkout on ‘creative differences’ over the use of larger models. ‘There was a team change and we are glad we stuck to our vision,’ she said.

‘The decision to use fuller girls is something we have been talking about. There’s an idea that only thin and slender women are able to wear Mark’s dresses and he wanted to combat that. We wanted women to know they didn’t have to be a size zero to wear a Mark Fast dress – curvier women can look even better in them.’

May’s Twitter page states that the stylist was replaced because she was “let go.”

As reported on Sky News, Fast created a bespoke garment for model Hayley Morley that she wore in a fashion show called All Walks Beyond The Catwalk, which featured models size eight to 16 and aged 18 to 65. The event was a fundraiser for B-EAT, a UK organization that raises awareness about eating disorders.

Team-up and shop together

sannanina (Hoe gaat het?) a European reader, recently wrote me with this question:

I was just wandering if anybody from Germany or the Netherlands other than me reads this and is interested in getting items from IGIGI. The international shipping fare is unfortunately extremely high ($40), however this would be reduced if we could share fares (even if some additional shipping in the Netherlands or Germany will be necessary). Also, for any order above $150 will be shipped for a fare that is reduced by $15 – again a possible plus for ordering together.

Anyone in the Netherlands or elsewhere in Europe interested in team shopping? This could be a new sport. Or maybe an event on Amazing Race? If you all get together and a network offers you a reality show I expect to be offered a producer position or at least be an adviser. Bollywood here I come!

Remember, today is your last day to take advantage of the Igigi Cyber Monday Sale. Everything on sale and as much as 80% discount on the entire store.

Sale Continuing at Igigi

This just in! Hot off the press! This gorgeous Empire Waist Gown with Jewels in Bijou Blue now $196.00 marked down from $280.00. Available in other colors as well.

Igigi Cyber Monday Sale continues through December 4th. Everything on sale and as much as 80% discount on the entire store.

If you’ve been drooling over a fancy schmancy jewel draped gown but it was just out of your financial reach now may be the time to indulge. Me? I’m gonna buy up some of their tailored looks for the office. Now get out there and stimulate the economy!

Michelle Obama: Election Night Style in Plus Sizes

I thought that Michelle Obama looked great on election night in the Narcisco Rodriguez wearing a tasteful variation of a more revealing version seen recently on the runway.

The First Lady Elect has been getting quite a lot of attention for her sense of style in addition to being a wonderful mother, partner to her husband and obviously for being a very smart woman. For more information on just how smart Michelle is, and for one well-written feminist viewpoint on all this fashion talk, please read Shakespeare’s Sister.

I am a feminist my friends. But I’m also a fashion loving feminist and right now, I’m gonna talk dresses.

Personally, I am thrilled that Barack will be our next President and that the Obama family will be living in the White House. Not only because he has a beautiful family, with a fashion savvy wife (which isn’t really all it takes to win my heart but it certainly helps), but because I believe that great things will happen for our nation and the world. The eyes of the world on you Barack, and perhaps even more will be expected of you than other Presidents. Now get to work.

I love this picture of the family together. So perfectly coordinated in black and red. Check out dad’s tie!

I’ve done some scouting, looking for something similar to the red and black dress that Michelle wore on election night. The dress is so new that similar dresses have yet to be found, although I am certain they are coming. Until then, here are my choices for wearing Michelle Obama’s style, just in case you have an acceptance speech to make in the next week or two.

The fabulous Sophie dress from Igigi.I really like this dress and I think I’ll be getting one for myself. I think that the overall line of the dress, and the way it is drawn in a bit at the waist does a good job of emulating the Rodriguez red and black dress.

And of course shades of purple and lavender are still very hot this season. Be careful the next time you dine at the White House, you might upstage the First Lady in this piece!

But if you must have black and red (again from Igigi) I chose the Brigitte Mod Dress.

This lovely dress captures a bit of the color block look of the Narcisco Rodriguez dress, but without the speckles and the fade, which received some negative reactions from fashion bloggers. Personally, I like it. I think it looks like champagne bubbling over a glass.

I love the Brigitte and I’m glad they didn’t go all huge flare with the hemline. I would wear this dress in 1967 with knee high, high heeled boots and then I’d ride around town with Steed kicking butt all over London.

The neckline of the Alexis more closely resembles that of Michelle’s dress, than anything I found, but of course it is lacking a burst of color. Perhaps coordinate with a hot pair of red heels and a red scarf?

Stretch Gabardine Wide Leg Trousers – $ 98.00
From: Kiyonna Klothing. And from Kiyonna, this is for those of you looking to dress up in black and red but refuse to show your legs.

What did you think of the black and red dress that Michelle Obama wore on election night? Yay or Nay? And if you find other pieces that are similar please post a comment.

Autumn Sales

You know that I like to get fancy with the sales. I like to put together a Look Book, or at the very least choose specific items from each sale. But I just can’t get it together this week.

I still have to show you the great pics I took on vacation two weeks ago when the hubs and I were in Phoenix to visit family and then drove to California to visit friends. This coming Sunday the hubs and I fly to Mexico, south of Cancun, to snorkel and then swim with Dolphins, lay on the beach and dance on the sand. This means that I will be checking out this big sale: Swim & Save at SwimsuitsForAll.com! Top Swimwear Styles $29 & Under! Shop Now!

So more vacation pics soon and another Look Book is being created. But for now, have a good time while you stimulate the economy!

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Get up to 70% off with our End of the Season Sale at Kiyonna.com!