Plus Size PLUS Model Magazine [The Pulse of Plus Size Fashion, Beauty, Arts and Plus Size Models] » plus size designer

Win A Look From Rachel Pally’s Plus Size White Label Spring 2012 Collection

Tulin Reid, Executive Marketing & Creative Director — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:13:10 +0000

Here’s your chance to enter to win a look from Rachel Pally’s plus size White Label collection!

Rachel Pally’s entire Spring 2012 White Label Collection is available online at and the selection of cuts and colors is huge! PLUS Model Magazine brought you the exclusive first look at her new collection and it was tough to choose a few items to highlight. When you see the entire collection, you will see why!

EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK AT RACHEL PALLY PLUS SIZE WHITE LABEL 2012 – ENTER TO WIN

Love what you see? Here’s your chance to enter to WIN a look from Rachel Pally exclusively with PLUS Model Magazine!

Enter To Win

Which look do you like? Comment on your favorite look on this post and on Rachel Pally Facebook page and be entered to win a look from Rachel Pally’s Spring 2012 White Label line! www.RachelPally.com. It’s that easy!

Check Back Daily

Visit the PLUS Model Magazine blog and Facebook page daily for more chances to win all month long!

PLUS Model Mag Exclusive- Introducing Plus Size Designer Ashley Nell Tipton

Reah Norman, Executive Fashion Director — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:00:44 +0000

I recently had the opportunity to sit down and get to know up and coming plus size fashion designer, Ashley Nell Tipton. We chatted about everything from plus size fashion to body image and self-esteem, to struggles with acceptance within personal relationships with friends and family. I am so impressed, not only with Ashley’s talent as a young fashion designer, but also her maturity, passion, positive attitude, and wisdom beyond her 20 years. She is a refreshing ball of sunshine, and I am so thrilled to introduce you all to her.

Ashley- tell us a bit about who are you, where are you from, and how you began your love of fashion?

I’m 20 years old and was born and raised in San Diego, CA. I am the youngest of 4 brothers and a sister. At the young age of 7 years old, I discovered my love for design when my Grandma taught me how to sew, and I spent days working and re-working little blankets and clothes for my Barbie dolls. I still use my Grandma’s sewing machine to this day!

Why plus size fashion?

I am passionate about being a plus size fashion designer because I, myself, am plus size and I want to let other plus size women know they are not alone and that I have the same story. I am the only one of my siblings who is plus size, and throughout my life I have struggled with acceptance from my family, and feeling different because of my size.

Who is your customer and what gap are you hoping to fill in the plus size clothing market?

My plus size customer is a 20-30 something female that is chic with a rocker edge. I am currently looking to fill in the gap that I see in the plus size clothing market and to be THE full-figured designer for curvy women with an edge.

What was your inspiration for the line and what makes you tick as a designer?

Upon returning from a trip to Paris and London to visit fellow design students at the Atelier Chandon Savard School in Paris, I was inspired by the British rocker flare of London and the artful combination of glamour and street fashion. Women’s curves inspired my garment construction and my love for color and fight against the phrase “black is slimming” affected my color choices. Going against the grain, I created a collection that is full of bright hues and bold patterns. I pictured my muse roaming the streets of London unabashed and feeling confident in stride while wearing designs that are no typically seen today in plus size fashion. The finished product incorporates both boldness and finesse, just like myself!

How would you describe yourself and how does this tie into your fashion aesthetic?

My friends and family would say that I am always happy and have a smile on my face, and the color that I use in my collections is a reflection of that. I never wear black because it makes me feel “gothic” or “emo”. I love wearing color because it reflects how I feel inside- I want to be bright, because I am happy! Also, I have Dyslexia, and I use fashion design as my form of expression and creative outlet. I am able to create ideas with my hands, rather than writing about it.

What’s next for you, professionally- what can we expect in the future?

I just Finished Fashion School literally this week! I am hoping to show my collection at Full Figured Fashion Week in NYC this June. I am currently working on my new collection, and also hope to get my line into production soon.

Thank you so much, Ashley! You are a gem and we are so excited to see what is next for you! Watch out world, here she comes!

Keep up with Ashley Nell Tipton and all her plus size design adventures and as she creates her brand new collection!

Ashley Nell Tipton Designs Facebook Fan Page

Ashley’s Twitter

Ashley’s Tumblr

Jibri Holiday Collection Unveiled on Etsy

Editor-in-Chief, Madeline Figueroa-Jones — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:52:57 +0000

Jibri never disappoints, and the new holiday collection is going to rock your socks off. It’s everything you thought you could not buy in a plus size brand. Below are some of our favorites, look at the detail!

Check out the new Jibri Collection HERE!

Rani Zakhem Brings Sexy Back To Plus Fashion

Natalie Monet, Editorial Assistant — Thu, 05 May 2011 08:04:35 +0000

Lebanon’s own, Rani Zakhem’s new Fall Collection promises to make every curvy woman feel sexy, confident and luxurious.

Rani Zakhem makes black and blue a fierce fashion statement with these day-to-evening, knee-length dresses. Mixing fabrics like crepe, chiffon, silk habotai and jersey have created beautiful textures on these dresses.

Rani’s floor length electric blue dresses can be casual or formal, depending on your styling and mood. Using chiffon overlays, Rani manages to capture a whimsical youth that will make any girl feel pretty.

Rani’s taken his new collection and simplified it for American fashionistas. What girl doesn’t have a little black dress in her closet? I’ve decided that I need this long-sleeved, cinched waist, laced number in my closet pronto.

Jersey dresses are a curvy girl wardrobe staple. Wear them to work, out on the town, on a date or on a picnic. Rani’s added sophisticated details like draping, wrapping and pleating to add more texture to these jersey dresses.

Go to PLUS Model Magazine to continue reading.

Tennille White… Plus Designer Offering Eloquent Elegance

PLUS Model Magazine — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:54:59 +0000

Tennille White… What makes for a successful plus designer? Does the talent lie in an innate esthetic for style, an understanding of color, an ability to carry out a vision, whether architectural or organic? Does it entail understanding your customer and their needs, or going beyond that and appreciating the beauty and body of a real woman, and how she moves throughout her day? Real greatness transcends the commercial and becomes art. What gets you there? In speaking to Tennille White, I found my answer.

Tennille White’s Collection is nothing less than a celebration of real women set in fabric. A strong, talented artisan and businesswoman, she approaches her work with the same sensibility most of us undertake when contemplating meaningful redirection. In her design, she highlights everything that defines a woman and elevates femininity to a new level of eloquent elegance. Simply put, Tennille White’s gift lies in luring out a woman’s natural joy, radiance, and confidence by embracing her best qualities with real quality material and workmanship. Success.

Suzette Banzo: Tennille, I am so pleased to have the opportunity to interview you after seeing your collection air on Rip the Runway this year. The garments were so feminine and elegant. When did you start to design clothes?

Tennille White: I started designing at the age of 14. I took a fashion design class during my freshman year of high school and fell in love with the entire design process. From there I went to college and obtained 2 degrees: BA- Fashion Design and BA- Merchandising Management.

Suzette: What style of clothing did you design while you were in college? What activities were you into back then?

Tennille: At the time, I designed for young women close to my age and myself. I worked full time, forty hours a week and had a double major so I didn’t really have time to attend parties. I worked as a buyer for a shoe boutique in Chicago and wore business suits to high school. The suits had a professional and clean aesthetic with very clean lines but they were very contemporary because of my age. I created separates, mix and match pieces, and never wore the same outfit twice.

Suzette: I’m picturing a younger Tennille wearing fashionable business suits that are age appropriate. How did your collection evolve into what you design now?

Tennille: Color has always been a big part of my design philosophy. I love color and love to do bright pieces! The quality of the fabric has obviously improved greatly since high school and college. I’ve cleaned everything up and learned who my customer base is. While I was in college, the designs were school projects and I didn’t have a customers. Once I gained customers and established a target audience, I began to design for that woman. I asked myself questions like: Who is that woman? Where is she going? What does she have in her closet? What else does she need? What is she missing? What does she already own that this would work with? I find myself constantly thinking and being so much more involved in the design process since I formed my business.

Suzette: Who is your target audience now?

Tennille: The majority of my clients are baby boomers that dress to look sharp. The mature woman might wear the entire suit, and someone a little younger in age wears the suit as separates with skinny jeans or leggings and Louboutin’s. I design for a cross range of women from 20 to 60 years old. These women want to look striking each time they go to an event.

Suzette: I can picture exactly what you describe. When I saw Kalyea Moss model your red pantsuit on BET I thought it was lovely and thought about how those two pieces would look excellent as separates. Kalyea could wear the red slacks with a bustier and heels and it would be very age appropriate for her and for her shapely figure.

Tennille: Yes! That’s exactly the suit I’m referring to. I ask myself questions like: How would I wear this? How would the woman in her 30′s wear this? In her 40′s, 50′s and 60′s and beyond wear this? Where will they be wearing it? Will they separate the pieces? I have to think about all of those different things since I am creating for a broad demographic.

Suzette: Yes, I see your vision. In fact, Jeannie Ferguson modeled a look which illustrates exactly what you mean. She wore an exquisite silk taffeta layered jacket with leggings and noteworthy heels. That jacket can be worn with a pencil skirt to a wedding or another affair. Your dresses also favor women of all ages; some women can wear the shorter lengths to show off their legs and still look age appropriate. How did you find out who”that” woman, your customer was?

Tennille: By constantly thinking and putting myself in different women’s standpoints. I did work for three years for private clients and they started to invite me to events. I saw what kind of affairs and gala’s they went to and what types of clothing they needed. They want to wear something a little bit daring and chic, but not vulgar. Garments that are modern and new.

I learned from real women; women with similar lifestyles, the social events they attend and what they needed. To be honest, most of my clientele is the mature baby boomer.

Suzette: Your price points will be considered as high end by some of our readers.

Tennille: I’m proud of my prices! Neiman Marcus buyers told me that they felt my prices were justified. When Neiman tells you the prices are justified that says it all, because buyers are always trying to get the best price for the store. I’m a designer and you come to me for my vision. The quality of my garments are spot on with the prices. Five hundred dollars is not the price of just a simple wrap dress. You are paying for one person not twenty to create your entire garment. This is not an assembly line; we are not making a car. The clothing is made in the U.S., one person constructs your entire garment from cutting it, sewing it down to every last detail. You are also paying for the quality of the fabric.

Suzette: Which fabrics do you work with?

Tennille: We use wool, taffeta, silk taffeta, we use a ton of silk, and high quality linen; the weight of fabric is there. In fact, the weight of all of the fabrics is superior. I know all about fabrics; I know where to back stitch on the slacks so that they will last for many seasons and the fabrics are not cheap.

Suzette: What fabric did you use for the black and white off the shoulder print dress?

Tennille: I used linen and I doubled it for that design worn by Natalie Monet.

Suzette: Linen? Wow! That moved like silk!

Tennille: Yes, it’s a heavier grade of linen than most people aren’t familiar with. The design of the dress is a blouson top that fits a little loose in the tummy since most women have a little extra loving in that area. You can eat your dinner and still feel comfortable in the dress. The skirt is fitted on the hip so that the dress overall camouflages your flaws and highlights your other areas.

Suzette: Let’s talk a little bit about BET’s Rip the Runway. How did you get involved this year and how did you like the experience?

Tennille: I was a huge fan of the show every year because it is an exciting venue for African American designers to showcase numerous pieces from their collections. I sought them out for two years and I was so pleased to be a part of the production and see how well organized it is run. I felt exhilarated being there with my fellow designers. The production team was looking for couture designers. One thing you should know about working on a production is that you never know what the producers of a show are looking for; what’s the story behind the story. The producer can be asking for a specific angle or for a specific look to be shown. You never know what their vision is and where they are trying to take something. This season their angle was couture and that’s why I fit in. The BET Rip the Runway audience is extremely diverse in age. The show aired on Monday and by Tuesday, we had 500 orders. I feel extremely blessed, as I’ve completed 1700 orders since the show aired.

Suzette: Were you involved in the model selection process?

Tennille: Yes, I participated in the casting. There were some models there from previous years that the producers are in contact with, and they tried to help me out as much as possible. It is difficult because not that many African American plus size models are signed to agencies. Mia Amber was an absolute doll; she projects something very special from inside and was a joy to work with. Natalie Monet also did really well and not just on stage. She was a pleasure to work with; I would definitely book her again. As long as she continues to practice, she will go far; she has a great spirit and she is beautiful.

Suzette: What are the advantages of designing clothes for a full figured woman?

Tennille: The advantages are two fold, professional and personal. Professionally the plus size market is still an under-served niche, which essentially means that I am a big fish in a small pond. Personally, women from all over the country that have worn my pieces and can’t believe how beautiful they are contact me several times a day. They are receiving more complements in my clothes and it does wonders for their self-esteem! There is a lot of extra love that goes into designing for plus sizes. One of my customers owns several spas in the area. She was going to a wedding and needed something to wear to the rehearsal dinner. She called me crying from the dinner because she was so moved from all of the compliments she received. These (plus) women are missing something if they aren’t being complimented at 40, 50 and 60.

Suzette: I know what you mean. Every mature woman should be able to wear something that makes her feel as beautiful as Diahann Carroll, Raquel Welch and other women of their standing. They have earned that feeling.

What is it that you know that other designers don’t know? What can you teach other designers about designing for the plus size market?

Tennille: This is almost like asking a chef what their secret ingredient is! This is what separates me from other companies and I’m keeping my lips sealed!!! I’m just joking! I try to put myself in other people’s positions. Have you ever shopped on line before?

Suzette: Yes, I have to measure myself, or look for my measurements each time for different sites and see where I fall on the size chart.

Tennille: Exactly. A size 12 in one designer does not mean you are a 12 for another and you do not want to go through the return process when you have a short turn around time for a special occasion. The customer service tab on our site gives instructions for how to measure yourself and we call every customer that places an order to make sure they are ordering the right size. When a customer plans to spend money on your clothes, then they also take the time to have accurate measurements. My collection is not customized to your measurements. We have inventory and ship the order immediately when the transaction is complete.

Suzette: What do you pride most about your business? What separates you from the rest of the designers?

Tennille: I am very accessible to the customer and know the importance of giving the personal touch by treating people respectfully. This is usually something that is missing from your experience when you shop on line. Customer service is right up there high on my list of priorities.

Providing the best service is what will maintain my reputation. That’s what makes a successful business; you decide what you want your business model to be. I treat people as well as I want to be treated. For example Suzette, if you need a mani-pedi and you can’t go to the salon because of your schedule and your nail technician says “I can come to you”. Do you ever want to go to anyone else? There is a certain experience you have with the person that puts your needs as a priority. I value my customer. This is what separates me from other businesses.

Suzette: Do you have celebrity clients or a celebrity wish list?

Tennille: Celebrity clients? I’ve worked with a few but I’m not a name dropper. When you really know about sales, you know that’s not always so important. I’m on many fashion boards, and Fashion Group International is one of the boards. Publicity and sales from a celebrity endorsement can be short lived. You cannot base your company on someone else and ride their wave. I’m about creating my own waves and not riding someone else’s coat tails in order to make my company successful. I want women to buy my designs because they like them, not because someone else was wearing them. I’m not trying to be a celebrity designer. I want to be a successful business woman. The quality of service that I extend to every person that buys from my collection on line, or in Chicago is the same quality of service that I would extend to a celebrity.

For more on Tennille White visit www.tennillewhitechicago.com

Never Apologize – A PLUS Model Exclusive With Designer Janet Howard

Natalie Monet, Editorial Assistant — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 16:03:16 +0000

Every now and again, a designer raises eyebrows, sets the bar, or takes the fashion scene to the next level. Janet Howard will do all three as she debuts her Curvy Collection for Los Angeles Fashion Weekend. Reah and I had the pleasure of sitting down with this fierce, feisty, and foxy feline nestled in her Los Feliz home to bring to you the designer set to shake things up in Los Angeles.

To read the entire article click HERE.

QFD… Check out this New Plus Size Clothing Designer!

Valery Amador, Executive Director — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:00:00 +0000

A sassy, fresh look for plus sizes! Visit www.qristylfrazierdesigns.com

Meet Nancy Baum, a Former Plus Model Turned Entrepreneur

Valery Amador, Executive Director — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 05:00:00 +0000

In this issue, meet Nancy Baum (shown left), a former plus model and now owner of Cherished-woman.com, offering stylish, upscale plus size fashions from Abby Z, Donna Ricco, Maggy London, Anna Scholz, Gayla Bentley, Lily, Maggy London, Vikki Vi, SVOBODA and New Plus Size Designer Olivia Harper!

Note: All fashion in this article are available in the Cherished-woman.com Holiday Favorites Collection,

PMM: What did you learn about fashion from being a plus size model?

Nancy: I learned that the more expensive labels were worth their investment. During my modeling days I had the privilege of modeling for high-end fashion designers as well as for discount stores.

‘Curvy Divas and the Voluptuous Woman Take Atlanta by Storm

Editor-in-Chief, Madeline Figueroa-Jones — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 08:00:00 +0000

Beware of a designer by the name if VDINX, short for Vivian Dinkins-Stith of Atlanta. She is a full figured diva herself who has searched the industry for creative ideas to bring the full figured woman to the forefront of the fashion world.

The company was created to showcase couture pieces of clothing that were created by VDINX and her mother. Both designers have over sixty years of experience between the two of them. “I wanted make my mother’s dream come true.”

VDINX Designs Atlanta brings couture evening wear, casual and loung wear to the voluptuous woman who desires to be sexy and noticed. “It’s about atitude and self confidence”. VDINX has the ability to create a look that transforms any woman through total image consultations and make overs.

On July 16th, 2006 VDINX produced a carribean fashion fest for the woman of size at the Atrium on Memorial Drive in Stone Mountain. Over 200 people attended the event where guest designers-Jaia’s Kustom Kanvas and Diva Day showcased pieces from an urban perspective. The show ended with a standing ovation for the Diva Extraordinaire-VDINX and her couture line of full figured clothing. The show displayed class, glitz and a ton of glamour.

For more information about the show or the fashions, please contact Vivian Dinkins-Stith/Designer and Director of public relations at 678-437-8100.

For more information please visit www.vdnix.com