I knew once the word got around that we Aussies would come around to how wonderful online shopping has been for the plus size community at large, pardon the pun.    I was so excited about this I just had to write a post about it.  Just in one hour session of GOOGLING I found 4 online stores within Australia.  They have been added to my directory and they are:

www.asiamfashion.com

www.divinegoddessfashion.com

www.aboveaveragedesigns.com

www.enchanted-emerald-forest-designs.com.au  (yet to be added to directory) but I am working on it.

They are fresh innovative and very reasonable in price which made me even more excited to go and shop there.  Girls please take a look at these new sites and let’s support our local stores as many of our business goes to overseas stores and we can change that now that we have more options here in Oz.

I think that as time goes by we will be seeing more and more online stores in Australia that sell Plus Size Fashion and Accessories which will be a huge bonus to the Australian Plus Size Community.  We have come a long way in this area and I am sure that this industry in Australia will grow at a rapid rate now.

Over the next few months I will do my upmost to add as many new stores to my directory for your shopping enjoyment. 

Photo credit: Madison Plus

Melbourne has has always been my favorite city in Australia, and now you can see why.  Many plus size clothing stores are popping around everywhere and so I am going to introduce you to the best that Melbourne has to offer us bigger gals. 

As you may have experienced with online shopping that most great stores are overseas, you can find some great clothing right here in Melbourne.  Let’s see if you can find your PAZZAZ and STYLE. 

My Secret – located at 226 Glenferrie Road, Malvern, Ph 9576 0445, they offer sizes 16-26                   

WRAP Plus size clothing – located at 90 Charman Road, Mentone, Vic, 3194 Ph 03 9515 4417 Sizes 14-36

Big Time Clothing Company – PO Box 2140, Fountain Gate, Vic, 3805 Ph. 5996 1842 Sizes 20-50

Towanda – located at Shop 4, Driver Lane, 318 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, 3000 Ph 03 9639 0909 Sizes 14-24

Sarah Fashion – located at all David Jones Stores in Melbourne – Sizes 16-28

Lisa’s Lacies – located at 6 Klauer St, Seaford VIC 3198 Ph 03 9782 5955 & 44 Johnson Street, Reservoir VIC 3073 Ph. 03 9462 0333 – Sizes (see website for details)

Zeve – located at 42 Smith Street, Warragul, Victoria, 3820 Ph 03 5622 1900 Sizes 14-28

Dream Diva – located PO Box 207, Richmond, Vic, 3121 Ph 1300 557 391 sizes 14-24

These are just a few more stores that you can phone for advice and to get you’re nearest location.

• Maggie T (03) 9420 7160
• My Size 1800 335 997
• Katie’s T 1800 151 110
• Big in Black T (03) 9792 2229, 135 Thomas Street, Dandenong 3175

Ladies I hope you find these useful as I did and HAPPY SHOPPING Ladies!!

This year I was lucky enough to interview the amazing Darrianne Donnelly whom inspired me with the dream that anything is possible no matter who you are or what size you are.  She has tackled the modelling world with I guess criticism but always had the courage of her convictions to carry her to where she is now.  Darrianne has worked with clients such as Avon, Commonwealth Bank, Special K, Big W, Myer, Mysize, Maggie T, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Today Tonight, and Australian Women’s Weekly.  All featuring plus size models.

Darrianne only too well knows what it was like growing up being a plus size child, being told that she has such a pretty face if only she would lose some weight.  We have all heard that one right?  Despite this Darrianne worked in this Industry for over 10 years before staring BGM Models.  Since then she has not looked back. 

Darrianne suggested that I check out an article about Symantha Perkins, I am sure you will all think of her as a role model as I did.  She is also at BGM.  It’s not just about fashion but feeling great within and letting you shine and show the world that you don’t have to be wafer thin to succeed.  I guess that is what this interview was all about for me, successful women that are plus size.

I hope that the interviews I have prepared below will inspire you all to follow your dreams and never give up on what you want out of life.  You can be successful and plus size and to shine as the goddesses you are!

I thoroughly enjoyed doing this interview because I wanted to capture the things that people may not know about the modelling industry and to find out about the person as well as their work.

 Please welcome Darrianne, Natalie and Elizabeth.

Darrianne Donnelly

Who is your favourite designer?

Nicola Waite designs for women who want contemporary styles with beautiful fabrics that move and flatter the fuller figure.

 What is your favourite colour and why?

 A fabulous bold and vibrant red has and will always be my favourite colour, as I love anything that makes a statement.  Red lips, red nails and a red car makes for a great look!!

 What is your favourite destination in the world and why?

 Positano in Italy would be one of my standout destinations, we were on a 6 week world tour 5 years ago and we had been travelling to London, Paris, Venice, Rome etc and whilst they are amazing locations when we got to Positano it felt like we had arrived in our own special piece of paradise. 

It also helped that we were staying 5 nights in the same bed and that we had rented an apartment and as crazy as it sounds being able to boil water, add an egg and have breakfast with crusty bread that was delivered by the most amazing young Italian man certainly added to the atmosphere of the place.

There is also this wonderful artist who paints daily in the main area at the bottom of the famous staircase in Positano, I stopped to admire his art-work and told him that he did a great job, off we went to Capri for the day and on our return the artist was packing up for the day and I noticed that he had painted my self and my husband into the painting consequently we brought the piece and it hangs in our house, I see it every day as a wonderful reminder of an incredible time.

Whilst on your travels, who was the most interesting person you have met?

Last year in April we celebrated 30 years of marriage and we went to China for 10 days, Shanghai, Beijing and Xian which is famous for discovery of the Terracotta Warriors this is considered one of the great architectural finds during the last Century.

The story goes that the chief of the village sent four young lads into the fields to dig a well and had they not dug in the spot that they had chosen they would have missed the entire discovery by as little as half a metre as they dug up a broken head at the very furthest point of the entire excavation. We went to the ‘ dig’ in Xian to view the Terracotta Warriors and one of the original lads who is the last survivor that found the ‘pit’ was at the museum on the day we visited and was sitting behind the desk signing books, whilst I did not actually meet him I did get a signed book of his story. 

Also when we were in Beijing we met 84 year old Bob from Queensland with his wife 79 year old Flo, we were climbing the Great Wall of China this day and we had set off very early as it was a 2 hour drive and would be quite hot when we got to the wall. All the young people in their 50’s set off on the climb as did Bob and Flo and when we got to the top as we all gasped for breath and admiring the fantastic view Bob did the Irish jig and sang songs he was so energetic he put us all to shame he was a true Aussie character.

Who inspired you to do what you do and in which way? 

I was not inspired by anyone one person I think that my inspiration or rather passion was driven from a young age and a determination that comes from within from people that I met growing up. The 60’s and 70’s was an interesting time and I always knew that I would do something that would somehow make a difference, I just did not know then that it would be modelling that would map my journey.

I started modelling at 30 years of age as being a ‘bigger model’ was just beginning to happen and for 10 years I had a wonderful time doing fashion parades and photographic work, turning 40 was the when I actually considered opening my own agency as I could see the demand for larger models was increasing.

BGM Models  (formerly BIGgals Models) was launched because I was determined to see a change in attitudes to using larger models and to encourage young girls to see a balance of models which would inspire them to have a good body image and to feel good about themselves. The inspiration and why I continue being the director of BGM is that I still love it when a new model comes to the agency and we get them a great photo shoot on location, fashion campaign or a model is signed to an international agency such as Ford Models New York it makes all the hard work worthwhile. 

Natalie Wakeling

Natalie’s stats

www.embodydenim.com.au

Size: 14
Height: 175cm
Bust: 102cm
Waist: 83cm
Hip: 103cm
Bra: 14C
Shoe: 10
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Green

What was it like working in New York at Ford Models?

Working with Ford models and being in close contact with the directors and bookers on a daily basis really cemented the fact that Modelling is a career that needs to be looked after and nurtured by the right agency.

Modelling can still be a career, even after once you have achieved certain personal milestones.

You may be a great model but if the team behind you does not know your direction you may just become another pretty face in the crowd.  I felt lucky to be represented by such an important agency and to have the support of my mother agency Darrianne of BGM at home to pick things up where they left off.

I had some amazing experiences, as it was such a whirlwind adventure having left my husband and two year old back in Miami while I gave International modelling my last shot by spending 10 days in NY.  I flew into New York, met with Gary Daikin, signed my contract on the same day and was sent to a stylist the next morning in preparation for castings.

It was a busy time meeting and greeting clients.  Unfortunately I was regarded too skinny for the plus size market and failed to crack the big time due to my size 14 frame.  Needless to say I still loved every moment and managed to get one amazing booking which was shot in the snow on the top of a building in the middle of Manhattan.  It was actually the first time I saw snow as well.

Did you feel like you were under scrutiny by your peers because you were a plus size model?

Back here in Australia it was the complete opposite as this was the first time a model over a size 8 was being featured in Editorial magazines and I guess from a stylist and photographers point of view I was huge and something they had to learn how to deal with.

At times you would arrive to the shoot and they would say oh you must be the make up artist: and you knew all too well that they were thinking this cannot be right?  She so is not the model is she?  It did not take very long though for the general public to realize that they liked seeing something a little bigger and a little more like themselves and thus forced editors to feature real women on a regular basis.

Where was your favourite shoot, and why?

One of my favourites was a cosmopolitan shoot shot at Manly with six spunky guys on location.  Directed by Amanda Newman who was the fashion editor at the time, the brief for the shoot was taken out of a Vogue Italia.  No expense spared and the dresses were beautiful (even though they did not fit me since they were samples) I felt like a million dollars.  It was an eight-page spread and something that has not been repeated in an Aussie Magazine since.

Fashion is something that you know you want from a very young age.  I am the youngest of four daughters so as you can imagine I have seen it all and could not wait to put my own stamp on the fashion world.

What made you decide to do a Jeans label?

With all my sisters and mother in the fashion Industry it was only natural that one of us make the garments instead of buying them.  It was on my second trip to New York that I saw the huge potential for the Plus size fashion Industry and how we lagged behind here at home.

Jeans were always a struggle for me as I have an apple body type and always wished the waists were not so small.  Once I started investigating the process I fell in love with denim and knew that this was what I wanted in the next chapter of my life.  To make curvy women happy to wear denim again!

How has your success changed you?

I still feel as though I am on the journey to success, I try to enjoy the little milestones within my business or personal life along the way.  I have had a good friend tell me that I have not changed since we went to school together; I think I am still a bit of a rat bag.  Success should give one the privilege to help others. 

Elizabeth Green

Elizabeth’s stats

Size: 14
Height: 175cm
Bust: 104cm
Waist: 79cm
Hip: 112cm
Bra: 12D
Shoe: 10
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue

Which do you enjoy more being a plus size model or a thin model? 

PLUS SIZE! Hands down. I always loved modelling and the feeling of being on set in front of a camera but the pressure that came with being there was tremendous.  I began to enjoy things less and less because I was always afraid of being told I was putting on weigh or getting to set and the clothes not fitting. Now that I am on this crazy wonderful adventure in New York I am constantly thankful that I not only achieved this success by remaining true to myself but that I am able to enjoy all the great restaurants and cuisines that New York has to offer!  

How does New York compare to Australian modelling? 

The plus size industry is well and truly established over here. In Australia I was reluctant to say that I was a model because a whole discussion and explanation of ‘plus size’ would inevitable for sure. Believe me, I hate the label! Here I feel I can say model and people don’t bat an eyelid. I think that America has a better handle on the diversity of sizes and shapes that women come in.

To that end they also have a better handle on ethic diversity than we do in Australia. Apart from that there is just a lot more work here. They have a much larger population to cater to and so every day I learn about different companies all over America that are designing for women with curves. 

What are you plans for the future?

I plan on staying in the U.S at least another year. Just enough time to see out the horrible economy!! I love my job and life in New York City, it is very exciting but there truly is no place in the world like Australia. I miss my family tremendously and I miss the lifestyle of Australia. My plans ultimately… I would like to work in T.V- I love being a model but I also have a lot to say!!

What is the most exotic place you have been to in your travels?

Hhhmmm Tunisia was an amazing location. I was living in Milan at the time and I was asked to shoot a catalogue and a magazine editorial in Tunisia over a one-week period. We didn’t need the whole week to shoot so I got a vacation in a couple of amazing hotels as well as some wonderful pictures. We were shooting in the middle of a desert on sand dunes and on a salt field. Just brilliant!

What is your favourite design house and why? 

When I shop I am always looking to flatter my figure. I like pieces that strike a balance between being fashionable and just plain comfortable.  I tend to stick to basic, clean lines and good tailoring. When you have those timeless pieces in your closet you can have a bit of fun each season with trends or accent pieces.  

For knickers and singlets you can’t go past Bonds, especially the prices! If I am going for a statement and I really want to splash out I love lingerie by Agent Provocateur. Camilla does some absolutely stunning kaftans that flatter any figure and are just perfect for standing out in a crowd.  When I am travelling and I want to feel particularly glamorous I will throw one over my bathing suit.  I think Alex Perry’s designs are to die for but I would love to see him launch a plus line- we need fabulous eveningwear too!

Natalie’s jeans are phenomenal! I am always receiving comments on them here in the U.S. Paige denim also has a plus line that is wonderfully fashionable and comfortable. I tend to shop around and see what’s out there rather than sticking to one particular brand. I can tell you that I think the plus industry has a long way to go in terms of adequately representing its customers. There needs to be a whole lot more options out there that are made for young, fashionable women as well as more representation in the media. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Darrianne for her participation with this interview as well as Elizabeth and Natalie for their time and effort. 

 You ladies are an inspiration to us all.

I am one of those women that loves her handbags, big ones, little ones and even weird looking ones.  Different colours and shapes and sizes, those hand bags that you take with you when there is a formal evening affair, a tote bag for the beach, every day bags and those colourful bags that match your outfit.

The latest spring and summer fashion for handbags in 2008 are amazing and you will see a lot of texture, colour and materials used, innovative ideas and bags that are truly functional and look fantastic.

You can find more great photos of handbags for 2008 in Pauline’s article. 

I know that most women have everything in their handbags that would blow men’s minds.  The make up, phone, phone book, PDA, wallet, sunglasses, notebooks – you name it we have it.  Do you ever find that your bag is getting bigger and heavier.  I have a tip for you, when you get a handbag for everyday, always only put in it what you need during the day. 

Don’t forget that you can change your bag for evening functions.  By bringing your evening clutch bag you can put your bits and pieces into it in the car before you get to your evening function. 

To change your look from office wear to eveningwear you only have to change your bag and shoes.  These items can be in your car waiting for you after work.  You can also put your hair up if it is long to make a more evening effect.   

You will find that a make up bag can fit in your handbag and you don’t have to lug your everyday bag to your evening function, it is quite a simple way to organize your days and nights with accessories like the one and only HANDBAG.  I love them and have many different types.

If you want to change your look this spring then buy some bags to match your outfits and you will bring some life into your wardrobe.  Remember try patterns, texture and colour, they are in now. 

Photo curtesy of Mumajugs myspace page

Lil Mama started in radio in 2000, debuting on Ugly Phil’s Hot 30 Countdown, co-hosting on Kylie and Jackie O show, and co-hosted some of the largest Australian radio shows, Rumba and red carpet premiers and long time member of Auststereo Network.  

She is a plus size her self and this is what prompted her to design clothing.  All those red carpet events and premiers she went to were proving difficult to dress for.  She always found it hard to find something glamorous that accentuated her body type.  Hence Lil Mama was born.

As you can see this lady is well known around Australia and has made a splash in the fashion world with her unique and exquisite pieces.  She has successfully debuted her clothing in San Francisco, LA.  She has done wonders for the Australian market and has made her mark in the international market.  All in all the future looks very bright and the possibilities are endless.

Here are a few must haves you should have in your wardrobe in 2008.  She caters for Australian sizes 8-18 and in some styles up to 20.  Just look at this beautiful jacket Stella and you will see what I mean.  The cut, the style that it will bring to your wardrobe will accompany any of your slacks for an office look, leggings for a casual look whilst going out to dinner or a restaurant.  The choice is yours. 

Don’t forget a pair of Embodied Denim Bebe Jeans, they are a must especially in Australia but will be popular anywhere in the world.  Us Aussies love the jeans look, which now days can be dressed up or down, that is the beauty of them. 

Take the tour of Lil’ Mama’s  site to find all the fashion you will ever need right in one store.  She has an online store as well as her Head Office address at Suite 9, Level 1, 110 Botany Rd, Alexandria, NSW, 2015. To contact Lil’ Mama please phone: +61 2 9690 0219 and Fax: +61 2 9690 0651, for all enquiries email them at info@lilmama.com.au or give them a call.

Make sure you visit her on myspace and twitter.  

Photo credit: Sevenworlds16

Today I was looking at Glen L’s site, an online colleague (if you like) at Full Figure Plus and found some wonderful tips for us girls on Bras.  The tips are really great as I am sure you have some lovely intimates that you find get ruined with regular washing.  So here are the tips you have been waiting for.

I also found at Body wise Emporium which is an Australian site for intimates that also ships internationally.  They had some very valid things to say about bras being comfortable.  They also have a link that takes you to their site and offers some great comfortable bra options.  Yes even you Mum’s to be have some comfortable options available to you and the sizes range from Australian size 10-22.   A plus size paradise.

Choosing a comfortable yet flattering bra is sometimes a very hard thing to find.  After all women are different shapes and sizes and our breasts are no different, so finding that one bra that is comfortable and yet flattering is a must find.  The link above will tell you the answer.

Photo credit imagesnz

If you are anything like me you probably wondered when the first bra came from and who designed it.  Well look no further because I have found the answer to your question and mine.

The history of bras as per the link is a very interesting read.  We often find that every so often they bring new and wonderful styles, like t-shirt, criss-cross, under wire, strapless, sports, push up, padded you name it we have it and we have come a long way from the bras in the above article.

As Janelle Rose says in her article the bra has been with us through the ages and it is easy to see that what we have now is much more comfortable then what those women had to deal with.

Our breasts are what make us women, what would a woman be if she didn’t have breasts and what would men ogle over.  It has been proven that men through out the ages just love women and especially their breasts.

You go to a bar and you meet men and some say that they are legman, bum men and mostly you will notice that there are more boob men.  It is the way our tangs fit and those evening gowns that are strapless sit.  The woman form is beautiful even in plus sizes.

There are so much more fashionable bras out on the market now then ever before catering for the plus size female.  They have brought back those lovely laces, satin’s and cotton comfy styles.  You have even a great range of tops and bottoms that match.  As seen on the web, take a look at some of the stores for bras, bottoms and lingerie.

• JMS
• Big time clothing company
• Lisa’s Lacies
• Bigger Bras
• Mimi’s Curvy Corner
• Maximum Woman
• Always for me

These are some of my favourite stores and perhaps you can find something you like to be a sexy curvy woman that you are.  

Photo name – cat walk front  – Photo credit: ill-tempered 

Have you wondered what type of clothing you should buy to accentuate your fuller figure?  Well wonder no more I have a wonderful site that gives us curvy gals some great tips when buying clothing.  They are called plus-size-clothing [dot] org.  Take a look at their site to gather great tips on fashion and how you should wear your favourite items of clothing. 

I myself have trouble trying to find something that I feel comfortable in and that looks good on me.  This site is really informative and will no doubt help you with your selections next time you go shopping.  The site is too extensive for me to write about it in detail you really need to go have a look at their site as it has many different sections that may be of interest to you.

Photo credit: Golden Emporium 

Remember the days when all you could buy in plus sizes ended up making you look like a granny?  Well those days are gone, I have been following and researching the different online stores for the fuller figured women.

I’ve come across some wonderful sites that really have listened to us plus size buyers.  I used to go into a shop and get a size 26 off the rack; I would put the item on and find that the top was too tight around my hips, and way too big around my chest.  It was almost impossible to buy anything that fit properly.

I found some great stores that ask you to measure yourself chest, waist, hips and length of your leg.  This has made things easier for us consumers because we know what we are getting in the form of measurements.  Also making things easier is the designers of the plus size fashion.  They have taken real plus size women with all different shapes and sizes and have managed to make tops that fit right at the top and fit right at the hip area.

This is fantastic as far as I am concerned because the plus size fashion of today has really sparked that twinkle in our eyes again.  We can now be bold, fashionable, classy, and sexy and not look like a grandmother in her Sunday best clothing.

Take a look at some of my links to stores and you will see what I mean.  Lovely blouses, skirts, dresses, work wear, bathing suits and accessories like belts, yes I said belts.  They have actually made a belt to fit the plus size woman and she will look great with it on.

Oh, and ladies, take a look at the lingerie, they have some gorgeous things and very sexy too.  I must admit that I was surprised at what I found so don’t be afraid to buy online, I have done it and was very happy with my purchases.  You can’t go wrong because if your measurements are correct and you guide yourself that way you will be fine.  In the event something doesn’t fit right or you miscalculated then I would say almost all stores will accept the items back for exchange, some offer store credit.

For many years now more and more fashion stores are opening their doors to dress the fuller figure lady and gentleman.  I have found so many wonderful stores that actually have proper fashion items and of the stores that I have personally bought from, the clothes are made well, fit well, look amazing and make me feel so much more confident.  I have even gotten noticed in a positive way.  It was like I wasn’t overweight at all, and they just liked my top I was wearing.  It was unusual but felt great.

Obesity epidemic in the fashion industry is growing and whether people accept it or not it is out there.  The fashion industry recognises the trends and even though we have come a long way from what used to be plus sizes, we are still on the back burner.  The industry needs to realise that plus size women still need to feel glamorous and feel like a women regardless of their size.

Quite a few of the plus size stores that I will link you to through my website actually have plus size model searches.  I think it is extraordinary that this is actually happening.  It is so nice to open a magazine or look at a brochure and see a plus size model wearing the very clothes you will be buying yourself.  It is realistic and let me tell you I think it will be a big PLUS for the actual store who promotes this.

Be impressed with these stores as I have been and please leave me your comments and questions below, or e-mail me.  I would love to hear from you and am very interested in your thoughts and your questions.  Please also email any suggestions of what you want me to write about.  I will do my best to research this and get back to you.