Fashion Rumor: Adele May Design for Burberry

Word in fashion circles is that singer Adele may be slated to collaborate with Burberry in designing a plus-size line.  To date, both Burberry and Adele have declined to comment on the rumors.  Reports say that the singer will work with Christopher Bailey in creating a bespoke collection.

Adele admits to being a fan of the brand for a long time.  She told Vogue UK, "I've always loved Burberry.  I remember saving for three years to get my first bag before I got signed."  The 24-year old singer has worn Burberry in the past including on the red carpet at the 2011 MTV Video Awards and the Brit Awards.

Kate Moss stars is the current face of Burberry.

Sources: Vogue UK, NY Daily News

Ralph Lauren signs Plus Size Model

Robyn Lawley in Ralph Lauren

Australian beauty, Robyn Lawley has made history by becoming the first plus-size model to be headlining a campaign for Ralph Lauren.  The 23 year-old stands 6'2" tall and wears a size 12.  When you look at her the last thing that comes to mind is that she's a plus-size.  In the real world she is considered slim and women would love her figure.  But in the world of high-end fashion that's not the typical industry size.  Last year she made headlines when she landed the cover of Vogue Italia along with two other curvy models.
 

Vogue Italia June 2011, photos by Steven Meisel.

Her success proves that there still is room in the business for change.  The fashion industry has long been criticized for its use of underweight models.  Typically a fashion model is size 2-6, half the size of Lawley.  The last few years have seen small changes in the industry.  One of the biggest being Vogue's announcement earlier this year that they would restrict using models who had visible signs of eating disorders and Israel's government also banned the use of underweight models.

Lawley is happy to be in the position she's in and expressed her views on the business and how models her size are not the norm on an appearance on Australian television.  Watch the video below for more on her story.

Full Figure Fashion Week

Full Figured Fashion Week took place this summer in New York City for the fourth year in a row.  Each year both retailers and independent designers showcase their latest collections.  This year designers included Savanna Red, Youtheary Khmer, Lavender Jungle, Jill Alexander, SWAK, Jibri and Curvato.  Celebrities including R&B singer Faith Evans were even spotted in the front row at the shows.

Times continue to change as designers and retailers are recognizing the importance of fabulous style for the curvy woman.  The plus-size fashion business has grown into a 17 billion dollar industry and isn't showing any signs of slowing down.  Women wearing over size 14 are demanding stylish clothing and retailers are finally recognizing how important that is.  International retailers including H&M, The Gap, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors and Calvin Klein now carry an assortment of styles in plus sizes.

Youtheary Khmer collection at Full Figured Fashion Week.

Theary Sim is the designer behind the label Youtheary Khmer (pronounced yut-terri-come-air). She once worked as a celebrity stylist and now creates clothing for the curvy woman.  Her latest collection was full of fun, bright and youthful colors.  She brings her eye for style to the average woman who doesn't fit the 'stick' figure of a model.

Ashley Stewart show at Full Figured Fashion Week, New York. 

Ashley Stewart is a powerhouse when it comes to style for women over size 14.  They are one of America's biggest retailers for plus size fashion and presented a collection at this year's event.
Click here to watch the full runway show.

http://fffweek.com/2012/home

Brazil's Plus Size Fashion

Promo photo for 4th Annual Brazilian Plus Size Fashion Weekend

Brazil is better known for skinny half dressed women than for its plus size diaspora.  According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (2005), over 40 percent of Brazil's population is overweight.  Despite this fact it's rare to see images of women larger than a size six on television or in magazines.  Brazil is the land of body and image conscious people.  However, the reality is that there are plenty of women who don't look like runway models.  This summer the 4th Annual Brazil Plus Size Fashion Weekend took place in São Paulo.  Created by Reneta Poskus Vas, Journalist and founder of the blog Mulherão, the event continues to grow and receive more attention every year.   

Poskus Vas, is a also former plus-size model and an advocate for the needed change in Brazil.  She understands that a woman doesn't have to be overweight to have difficulty finding stylish clothing.  In the past clothing for fuller women was dowdy and unattractive.  Designers are finally recognizing the need to create for this market.  Labels like Acqua Rosa have made collections to fit sizes bigger than ten.  Brazil's culture has long embraced the ideal of perfection which makes it difficult to break the cycle.  Many women who don't fit the standard can feel intimidated especially when it's so hard to find clothing that fits properly.  Hopefully as the business grows and becomes more mainstream, the stigma of being a healthier weight will subside.  Perhaps one day Brazil will embrace it's curvier side.

Acqua Rosa

Plus-Size Style for Fall

With summer half over, fall fashion finds are already in the stores.  Keeping on top of the latest trends can seem like a daunting task especially when making the extra effort to find styles that flatter your shape.  There used to be a time when finding full figured style was almost impossible.  Luckily stores like Ashley Stewart are keeping curvy ladies in the best of style.

Ashley Stewart's collections for the upcoming season feature items that accentuate the waist and hold your curves in the right places.  Asymmetric hems, belted waists, body-skimming silhouettes and bold colors were the highlights of the collection in the show during Full-Figured Fashion week.