Posts Tagged ‘size’
On the making of a size acceptance movie
Last Sunday was the first Size Acceptance Salon hosted by Ivan of Fat in NYC. I hope that this is the first of many of these dial-in Salons. About his reasons for starting the Salon Ivan says:
I’d like folks that are brand new to the Size Acceptance Community to have a place to talk to others about their newfound experiences. I’d like contributions and guidance from the more experienced folks of this movement.
There is a way to a happier life, a greater sense of worthiness, and the reclaiming of yourself as a valuable, complete person no matter what you weigh! That is what this group is about.
I am not looking for controversy, I am looking to create community around these issues – issues I feel very passionate about. I am looking to create community between the different segments of the Fat/Size Acceptance and Health at Every Size communities that can sometimes be in conflict. There are numerous facets of “Fat Acceptance,” and different subgroups of the movement can disagree, despite a consistent attempt at uniformity throughout the movement. It is my hope to create opportunities for the inspiring and enlightening exchange of ideas around fat acceptance, whether or not everyone considers them “just right.”
His first guest was Kira Nerusskaya who has been filming the documentary Fat Girls Float for more than three years. I had the extreme pleasure of being asked by Ivan to conduct the interview. I hope to have an audio clip for you this week, but until then I can tell you that we had a delightful conversation. Kira is knowledgeable and passionate about the fat acceptance community and being an activist for positive social change.
You probably know by now that Kira needs to raise some cash for the next phase of production. She is still filming and there may be another fundraising project next Summer to complete the theatrical trailer but right now she needs funds for some technical bits. Please consider making a donation through the fundraising website Kickstarter. You can contribute as little as $1.00 and a donation of $500 gets you a producer credit, an autographed picture of runway model Velvet D’Amour, and an invitation to a private pool party where Kira promises to wear a bikini.
Here is a one minute video with some interview clips and then a quick but silent video of Velvet walking the runway.
Winner of Igigi Gift Certificate…from May
Cate R. won the gift certificate back in May of this year. I just realized when I announced the winner of the Kiyonna Gift Certificate last week that I never posted Cate’s pics and her product review. Thank you Cate for posing for readers of A Celebration of Curves. Cate asked me to hide her face, hence the big black dot. It’s too bad because only I get to see how truly beautiful you are. What amazing blue eyes!
I think Cate looks fantastic in her IGIGI purchases. Don’t you?
Okay, I know I won the $100 IGIGI gift certificate a while ago, but it took me a while to spend it all! I ordered three different dresses. The first was the Tina Faux Wrap in Olive. It came, and it fits beautifully. It’s a pretty color for my complexion, but I wish there had been a few more dynamic color choices (although there are now!).
I like the fit of the dress; it’s very flattering. One issues I have is that it is extremely low-cut on me. I have to either pin it (in which case it still shows about an inch of cleavage) or wear it with a tank top underneath. I wear it with a tank top to work, and it’s cute. I pair it with navy blue espadrilles generally.
The next dress I ordered was the Daniella Print Knot dress. It looked so amazing! Unfortunately, when it arrived, the fit was all wrong. It fit like a muumuu! I like dresses to show off my curves, and this was the exact opposite approach!
I had filled out a first-time customer survey, so I had gotten 15% off the Daniella dress. It took a while for me to get in touch with customer service to arrange for an exchange. I ended up getting the GORGEOUS new bubble dress with pockets. This dress is amazing! The color is breathtaking! Well done!
So, pros: I like the way these dresses fit, and the colors are beautiful. I wish they had more casual selections, and a few that were less pricey. (If I hadn’t had the gift certificate, I probably wouldn’t have done too much shopping there. These dresses are beautiful, but I would spend somewhere between $40-$60 for them, not $80-$100. They are dry clean only, and the fabric on my green dress already started to pill in one place.
And, like I said, big-chested ladies beware, these dresses easily put all your business in the street.
In the interest of full disclosure, I ordered a size 12, and IGIGI says my shape is “Figure 8.”
Thank you Cate for sending in pics of your purchases and writing such an honest review. Buying clothes online can be a challenge but I personally prefer it to spending time stomping around the mall, going from one dressing room to the next. Pics and reviews like Cate’s are extremely helpful in making informed online shopping decisions.
I am still giggling over Cate’s “…all your business in the street” line!
JMS new clothing line is a win for plus size women.
I was very pleased to be invited to the unveiling of the new fashion line from JMS. You are undoubtedly familiar with the exclusively plus size manufacturer. I’ve liked this company for a long time, not just because they made quality bras for my size, but because they use plus size models in all their marketing. The clothing seen in the ads is “actual size” and I applaud the company for their use of larger size models.
Maybe you already wear their bras and panties, sportswear and bathing suits? I sure do. Good fabrics, well made, and they fit well because the fit models that they use are size 18/20, not size 4 and sized up. JMS is now sharing what they know about clothing that fits a full-figure with a new line of casual wear.
Admittedly, I was a little nervous. Sure they know sportswear, but there’s a big difference between sweatpants and a well fitting maxi dress that caresses your curves and floats like a summer day on a Caribbean island from shoulder to ankle. Turns out, they know how to do that too. I am honestly very pleased with this collection.
The show was at their corporate offices in midtown Manhattan. My good friend Terri Murray, a professional plus-size model and the President of the Association of Image Consultants International (New York Tri-State Chapter), came along for the event.
After the show I was given a private exclusive tour of the clothing with Janet Freedman, Director of Design for Hanes and JMS. Besides talking about our fabulous grandmothers who taught us how to build a wardrobe, we spent time examining the product. I can tell you that the clothes look good on walking models — meaning that the fabric drapes and moves well on a body in motion, and that the pieces are well made. Seams are strong, details like beading and trim are not going to come off in the first wash and best of all each piece ranges from $6 – $22. Grandma Rose, who spent her life working as a seamstress and expert milliner in NYC sweatshops always said, “it’s better to have 5 or 6 very well made pieces in your closet and build an outfit with other, simpler pieces. Don’t break the bank bubbeleh.” Grandma Rose would approve of this new collection.
JMS has signed an exclusive with Walmart and the line will be available through the JMS website and in Walmart stores around the country. There will be new items in stores monthly. At a time when we are seeing the complete removal of plus size sections from department store selling floors, Walmart has chosen to dramatically increase the plus size section on their selling floor. The line is available in sized 16-28 and some items to 5x.
Janet, a plus size woman herself, shared with me her passion for bringing affordable contemporary casual wear to the marketplace. “Look at your budget and buy the best pieces you can afford that will mix and match with what you already have. Clothing that is made well will look good whether you are running errands or going out to dinner. I can change the entire look of my outfit with a few accessories and the basic pieces cost a total of $64. Our new line is all about celebrating our curves!” Sounds good to me. I certainly plan on wearing these clothes. I think they are perfect additions to my wardrobe and will offer affordable flexibility in outfit planning.
Janet has graciously agreed to make herself available to A Celebration of Curves readers. Here is your opportunity to talk directly to the designer of an international clothing line. She has offered (quite amazingly I think) that if you comment here on things you want from a fashion line, things that are missing in your wardrobe, fit problems, and style needs, “please let me know so that I can make it for them.” I have rarely felt such a heartfelt and personal connection between a company and their customer. Now, let’s go shopping!
How to Wear Svoboda Jeans and Costume Jewelry to a 4-star restaurant
My grandmother Rose worked in New York City sweatshops. She was a seamstress, even making the cream and gold brocade fitted jacket and matching pencil skirt that my mother wore to her wedding. Very chic for 1963! Grandma Rose taught me much about how to put together a wardrobe. She said that it was much more important to have a few well-made, what she called “important,” pieces in your closet that you could creatively mix with simpler pieces (less expensive fabrics, good leather shoes and handbags, accessories, etc.) than to have many mediocre items. That way you create your own personal style.
Grandma Rose also said that a single girl with a closet full of poorly made clothing is a woman who won’t get a husband. I know, it’s not like you’re dressing to get a man. I didn’t even before I got married because I dressed to please myself. But what can I tell you? Grandma worked, and she may have had secret meetings with union organizers in her lower east side apartment, and encouraged her single daughter to travel the world and go to college in the 1950′s, but she also firmly believed that young women are supposed to get married.
So if you are dressing for yourself, dressing to compete with other well-dressed women, dressing to impress at the corporate holiday party, or dressing to find a single doctor/attorney who might just be having dinner at a 4-star restaurant – here is where to buy the pieces in my Svoboda for a 4-Star Restaurant Stylebook for yourself:
Cybele’s Leaf Gold Dangle Earrings – $ 30.00
From: Emitations.com
Sheila’s Faux Turquoise Cocktail Ring – $ 39.95
From: Emitations.com
Igigi Dupioni Silk Wrap Blouse in terracotta.
From Jessica Svoboda – Cate, the wide leg trouser jean in black available from Lee Lee’s Valise. $118.00. These are two killer pieces. The Igigi silk wrap blouse is only $150, which is quite the bargain considering the fabric and the tailoring. It is exquisite, and would make a smart addition to your collection of “important” pieces. Svoboda jeans are just a necessity. Like oxygen only with different molecules.
I would finish this outfit with these cute shoes from Zappos. They go up to size 13 and come in medium and wide. Remember .
Next week will feature more fashion news. Tonight I am attending the 2nd Annual Art of Curves Fashion Event. If you are in New York City, you can Buy Tickets and you can gain entry to an evening of plus size fashion and cocktails. I’m wearing my new fuchsia blouse with my wide leg Ryder jeans and a denim jacket. There will be pics!
