Forever 21 Comes To Their Senses! Faith 21 Name Change

I always scratch my  head in wonder when a brand names their plus size division some stupid or irrevalent name. For example, there are a few of you who may remember Liz Claiborne's plus size line called Elizabeth!! So when Forever 21 launched Faith 21 I was surprised. Wouldn't you want the customers who couldn't shop with you because the size range wasn't "wide enough" hit the floors and the buy button online?
Seems they've come to their senses, and a name change is in the works.

DKNY for Lane Bryant

I've watched the ebb and flow of designers efforts to create a collection that represents their signature style but adapts to the demands fitting plus size women require.
This collaboration with Lane Bryant is the second time around for Donna Karan. Her first attempt several  years ago bombed at Bloomingdales. I was so disappointed that she couldn't seem to get it right, since her original mission was to dress real women.
Everyone deserves a second chance, so perhaps the folks at Lane Bryant will coach her team along as we respond with purchases...or not.
The shirtdress has a lot of possibilities. As for jeans, I'm not sure that we really care anymore who makes the jeans as long as we have choices to work with. I was surprised to see the line is lacking something a bit sexier. Well, dip your toe in the water to gauge the temperature, right?
*image courtesy of Lane Bryant and DKNY Jeans

Christina Hendricks' Dress at The Emmys! Shame on Designers!

Christina Hendricks/photo Alberto E. Rodriguez Getty Image

Mattel made a doll in her image and this is all Hollywood could do? I'm on a rant. Fashionable friends hear me roar! WTF was that dress on Christina Hendricks, star of Emmy winning Mad Men??? That dress is a Mad Mess! As a former Hollywood Stylist, I've dressed women from size 0 to size 30 and anyone with some taste, an ounce of style and some "pull" can get the right clothes, especially for a high  profile person and event. 

Noting Christina's curves and exotic features, this dress is an abomination and a throwback to the Belle Epoque. Vintage is cool, but not this fussy, f****d-up fantasy. I've seen pin-up girls on MySpace who have better clothes.
This just proves that most of today's stylists don't really understand proportion or balance and reinforces the prejudice most designers have against anyone who doesn't disappear when they turn sideways. 

Hendricks is on record for saying she has had a lot of trouble getting clothes for special events and she's only a size 14 (her measurements at this writing are 39-30-39)! 

Joan is one of the hottest characters on the hottest TV show, 

When you're dressing one of the usual suspects, it's not a big deal to roll a few calls and arrange for delivery or pick up for a fitting. But when you have to really  work at putting together everything you know about dressing "bodies" vs personalities, it seems that most can't deliver. 

Special thanks for Zac Posen for giving it a shot.

Work Out With Pilates Pro Jillian Hessel at Richard Simmon's Studio in Beverly Hills

Pilates pro Jillian Hessel, author of Pilates Basics and the HomeBody workout, will be teaching 

Dance-ilates at Richard Simmon's Slimmons Studio in Beverly Hills. I've been taking Pilates with Jillian since 1994. Her new Dance-ilates class is going to be so much fun. It combines the benefits of dance, yoga and Pilates with a motivating music mix. In fact, Jillian's new workout DVD, HomeBody, won three Telly Awards, and one was for best music!





Call Jillian's Studio  at 310 246 0082 for more information and to sign up. Classes start September 14 and will be on Tuesday mornings at 11:00 am to 12 noon.

More About Whole Lotta Love Tribute Album

Photo courtesy of Plussizecuties.com

Here's the link to the genesis of the tribute album, with posts of all the groovy musicians who've signed up! Think of all the cool women we know who fall into this category.
Send me your favorite women of size and I'll compile an homage list for a future post.
Can't wait to hear this album...Thanks again to all the rockers, lovers, musicians and real men who get it we cum in all shapes and sizes ;-)

Sleaze Roxx: Fat Chick Tribute Album

Article and Artwork Courtesy of Sleaze Roxx...Thank you Boyz!Sleaze Roxx: Trixter Guitarist Added Added To Fat Chick Tribute Album

Trixter guitarist Steve Brown has joined the roster of the upcoming tribute album "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE: An All-Star Salute To Fat Chicks." Steve puts a rock spin on the hit single "Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)," made famous by current pop sensation Mika. A celebratory affirmation of plus-sized women, it was written as the theme for the Butterfly Lounge, a California nightclub catering to larger ladies and their admirers. The song was an international Top 40 hit in 2007 and has been featured on such TV shows as ABC's "Ugly Betty" and "Good Morning America." Brown took the dance beat of the original and infused it with his own patented guitar stylings, adding a hard rock coating around its pop center. A sample of the song is now available at the official "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE" MySpace page -- www.myspace.com/WholeLottaLoveTribute

"Women make the world go 'round," states an enthusiastic Steve Brown. "All shapes and sizes, I love 'em all! As such, this is the perfect song for me. I stuck with the dance groove and added some big guitars and huge vocals to take this tune to the next level. It rocks and it (jelly) rolls!"

Also confirmed for the tribute is the inclusion of a track from newcomers Triangle Exception, who contribute a cover of the song "Big, Fat, Sexy Mama." Channeling the spirits of the Rolling Stones and the New York Dolls, "Big, Fat, Sexy Mama" is a raucous ballad extolling the virtues of making love to a fuller figured woman. The song originated with New York City underground sensation The Compulsions, hailed by "Classic Rock" magazine as "The Coolest Band in the World" and featuring frontman Rob Carlyle, alongside current Guns N' Roses members Richard Fortus and Frank Ferrer. A sample of the song is now available at the official "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE" MySpace page.

As previously reported, "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE: An All-Star Salute To Fat Chicks" is a musical homage to the big, beautiful women who make the rockin' world go 'round. The tribute will feature all-new recordings of popular songs praising the fuller female figure, originally made famous by some of the biggest names in rock and pop music. These anthems to abundance will be performed by renowned rock & rollers from yesterday and today, along with a select few rising stars. In direct opposition to the "no fat chicks" mantra espoused by some, "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE" will be a star-studded celebration of large and lovely ladies. Songs confirmed so far include Queen's arena rock classic "Fat Bottomed Girls" by L.A. Guns singer Phil Lewis, with guitarist Paul LaPlaca and drummer John Macaluso. Also on tap is a high-octane version of the AC/DC concert staple "Whole Lotta Rosie" by Rufus Fontain, featuring Cinderella guitarist Jeff LaBar and original Jackyl vocalist Ronnie Honeycutt. The Poison chart-topper "Unskinny Bop" is ably recreated by party rock outfit Evick, featuring members of the Bret Michaels Band. And the bass-heavy Spinal Tap dirge "Big Bottom" is given a 6-string revamp by Twisted Sister guitarist Eddie Ojeda and his Band of Steel. Plus-sized songstress Celisa Stratton brings all-new meaning to the title track "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin, in conjunction with veteran Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali and guitarist Alex Grossi. Additionally, rock & roll comic C.C. Banana offers up a faithful rendition of the Kiss track "Spit" (a.k.a. "Split"), featuring bassist David Z of ZO2 and guitarist Angus Clark. The album boasts an inspired cover by pop artist Les Toil, known for his bold and beautiful "big girl" pin-up art. Additional artists and track listings will be announced as they are confirmed. Samples of all tracks are available at the official "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE" MySpace page. - www.myspace.com/WholeLottaLoveTribute.

"WHOLE LOTTA LOVE: An All-Star Salute To Fat Chicks" is scheduled for an August 31, 2010 release and is now available for pre-order directly from SplitScreen Entertainment. The first 500 pre-orders will receive a free instant digital download of "Fat Bottomed Girls," as well as a bonus mini-print of the cover art upon delivery of the album. Further details can be found at the SplitScreen Entertainment website - www.SplitScreenEntertainment.com.

Courtesy of www.sleazeroxx.com and www.SplitScreenEntertainment.com

What Would Joan Do? Mad Men Barbie Dolls Are So, Well, Mad!

The fourth season of AMC's decadent sixties fest, Mad Men is in full swing and to keep us in the mood, Mattel launced a collection of dolls based on the characters in the show.I love Joan Holloway, the saucy red head with  the vixen like voluptuousness we haven't seen since the likes of Jane Russell, or even Marilyn Monroe. All woman, Christine Hendricks, the actress who plays Joan, is on record that many designers wouldn't make dresses available to her because she wore a size ten! Now that the show and the doll are in MAD demand, it seems it's hip to have hips again.