Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Style Alert: Isobel Toledo for Lane Bryant

It's not often that one can find real style in larger sizes. Oh, you can find trends, and stylish designs on occasion, especially if you're under 30. But when you want things that are refined, with sophisticated silhouettes in that timeless classic way, you can come up empty handed.
Just take a spin on Neiman Marcus or Bloomingdales websites, and you'll instantly see what I mean. It's not that there's a lack of "brand" or "designer" names out there." But many of these so-called designer offerings are simply boxy, oversized basics, often in ridiculous prints.
Even Ralph Lauren, known for understated, tailored essentials like shirts and trousers, features what is probably one of his early equestrian prints that screams retro, and not in a good way, in his current season.
However, today, Lane Bryant debuts a collection of wearable dresses and tunics, designed by Isobel Toledo, with what I'd call a good eye for choosing shapes and patterns that will flatter a fuller figure.
I was just in Lane Bryant last night, just before closing, making some returns and buying black jeans, never dreaming that when I woke up, there would be this dreamy trousseau in sizes 14 and up!
Standing ovation to Isobel Toledo. I'm a long time fan of her work and that of her talented husband and collaborator, Rubin.
I admire this eclectic and independent star. This isn't the first time Isobel, known for her whimsical creations, has gone down a runway of a different kind. A couple of years ago, she fashioned a collection of shoes for Payless.
Many designers have to be dragged into reality to make clothes in larger sizes, and that attitude alone causes many of them to fail this audience. Often designers who want to succeed at QVC or HSN are forced to design for the loyal public, known as "the masses," who wear clothing sizes previously not in their vocabulary.
Toledo understands style is not a size.
Give Lane Bryant a shout out on Twitter for nabbing Toledo and having the best looking, really wearable spring collection on the internet, regardless of size!
Shop Now!

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Big Wigs: Jenji Kohan - Women In Entertainment

Jenji Kohan
I'd love to spend an afternoon with Jenji Kohan, she's smart, sassy and successful. You might not recognize her name, but you may have seen some of her work. She created the Showtime juggernaut, "Weeds," and most recently, the Netflix hit  "Orange is the New Black."
These shows are as quirky as her persona. Courage and confidence are part of the formula for success in any field. It takes courage to be different in Hollywood, and
Jenji scores high on the richter scale of different. The content she creates is about as outside the box as one can get. Weeds is the story of a suburban housewife (spoiler alert) who sells pot and dates a despot.
"Orange is the New Black" takes us inside the trials and tribulations of a WASP who took a walk on the wild side and ends up behind bars.
Kohan's style is also outside the confines of the typical Hollywood player. Note her green hair and vintage style glasses. Her volume of work is just like her personal style, original.
Photo courtesy of deadline.com

Friday, March 14, 2014

CFDA Fashion Incubator Brands Coming to LA for Market Week

Meet the CFDA Nominees



CFDA Fashion Incubator Brands Coming to LA for Market Week
image

It’s exciting when the other coast makes a trip this way for once. How many red-eyes have I had to endure to wake up in the Big Apple in time for non-stop #NYFW or market week? This month, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), in conjunction with our favorite hotel, W, is bringing some fresh fashion talent to LA.
Next week, they’ll hit up DVF “Journey of a Dress” at LACMA
(The exhibit is incredible, and seeing these dresses  was a painful reminder not to ever get rid of anything, closet audits aside! Both my Mom and I had a wrap dress and I not only did I not keep the dress, after all I wore it back in the seventies, but I don't even have a photo of either us wearing the dresses.)
and end with a cool “wrap” party at the W Hotel in Hollywood.
In case you don’t know about the CFDA Incubator, they help emerging designers, much like our very own Fashion Business Inc
PS I’m excited to participate in California Fashion Organizations Scholarship Awards. This year, the Fashion Group International Los Angeles Foundation (I’m on the board!), is giving an award! LA
#follow @CFDAINCUBATOR @calfashion @FashionBizInc @FGILA


Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Eloquii is Back: Enter to Win $250 Shopping Spree!

Great news for "Girls" who are starved for current trends in fashion. On February 20th, I received an email with a subject that stated, " Finally, We're Back + Free Shipping! Who's back? Eloquii!

It seems that even though there are more websites to shop for plus size clothing, it's become harder to find just what I'm looking for. Eloquii could fill the gap in my book.

It's depressing to walk the floors of Bloomingdales and Macys, who by the way, are owned by the same "outfit." Their departments are full of tired looking clothes, big, boxy, boring things in bad colors and cheap fabrics.

I've been searching high and low for something cool to wear to West Week at the Pacific Design Center, and there's plenty to choose from on the Eloquii site.

I'd love to meet Jodi Arnold, the designer, and imagine how cool Jonathan Auerbach is, the company's private investor. He get's it that women come in all shapes and sizes and he's put his money on Eloquii and their talented team. Granted, I don't know the provenance of the name. Unlike Nordstrom's Encore department for "women," which was aptly named as their second attempt to get it right for this customer. And, I'm not even sure I'm pronouncing it correctly, but it doesn't matter, because they've got it right. In all the years I've been involved as an influencer in the plus size world, Eloquii is one of the most exciting collections to come down the web way.

Let's give Eloquii a round of applause. And if you enter your email address in the pop up window, you've got a chance to win a $250 shopping spree!

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Casting Attractive, Full-Figured, Latina or African-American Woman for Oprah Winfrey Network

CASTING ATTRACTIVE, FULL-FIGURED WOMAN (Latina or African-American)
BE AN EXTRA ON NEW TV SHOW ON OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK


We are currently casting an ATTRACTIVE, FULL FIGURED AFRICAN-AMERICAN or LATINA WOMAN a(ages 18-40) for a one day shoot to be an extra on a new reality show for the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).

Pays $100 for 5 hour commitment.  Non-union.

Shoot is in Northridge, CA.  You must be in the greater LA area to be considered, and get yourself to the shoot location.

Shoot date:  January 27th, 2014 for appx 5 hours.

TO SUBMIT:
Be sure to mention you heard about this from Jeff Gund at INFOLIST.com, and email ALL the information requested below to:
Be sure to include:
1.  Your name (first and last)
2.  Contact phone number
3.  Recent photos, cleanly showing your face, and body type (jpg format please)
4.  Be sure to mention you heard about this from Jeff Gund at INFOLIST.com!