Designers Take Note: Plus-Sized Women Strut Their Stuff in Couture

Fashionistas everywhere have been glued to the TV over the past two weekends as we watched our favorite celebrities walk the red carpet at the Golden Globe and SAG award shows. While some have wowed us with head to toe "fabulosity" (Olivia Wilde in Gucci), others have left us hoping that we never have to look at such fashion faux pauxs EVER again. (Thank you, Tina Fey!)

Last Monday, I joined "Good Day Philadelphia" anchors Mike Jerrick and Sheinelle Jones to chat about the Golden Globes red carpet hits and misses. I am happy to say that of the three women I picked, one was plus-sized: Mo'Nique. I thought she looked absolutely amazing in her gorgeous bronze gown by Reem Acra, and I was in awe when I saw her again at the SAGs all decked out in Balenciaga. Mo'Nique consistently shows us that plus-sized women can be glamorous too.

I must say that it is refreshing to know that some couture designers (including Pamella Roland who designed Gabourey Sidibe's dress for the SAGs) are starting to embrace the fact that everyone isn't a size 2. Women of all shapes and sizes want to look and feel fabulous, particularly when they are thrust into the limelight. I personally get quite frustrated with the limited selection of formal dresses I have to choose from when I'm asked to dress a client over a size 14. I feel like I'm in a tangled web of cheap fabric and dowdy designs that are reminiscent of a mother-of-the-bride dress gone bad!

I recently had to dress such a client for her wedding reception, which of course is one of the biggest events in a woman's life. I was fortunate enough to have had a relationship with an amazing up and coming designer in New York, NIMA, and he custom designed a knock-out couture dress for her that made her look and feel like a queen. She was thrilled, to say the least, and could not stop telling her family and friends: "Big girls can wear couture, too!"

To all of the designers out there who have broadened their size spectrum . . . thank you!

Embrace a Style Makeover in 2010!

Over the past week I have been making phone calls to all of my clients, asking them one simple question: "What are your style goals for 2010?" Each of them has been eager to chat - many saying that they want to leave their style mishaps of the past in the past, and to continue building the "fashion fierce" wardrobes I have been working with them to create. But one client in particular had to take her style goal to the next level: "I don't want to look 50 anymore!"

To say "mama" was proud is an understatement. She proceeded to tell me she was sick of her sweater sets and those long skirts I had encouraged her to get rid of the previous year (but I didn't push her since I was bringing her along slowly). We proactively made a list of everything she should purge from her closet and donate to "Dress for Success," (www.dressforsuccess.org) and set a date in March to start building her new wardrobe for the spring. A few days later, she sent me an email with a status update outlining what she had disposed of and the additional items she thought she needed.

As I updated her file with this new information (adding a few more items I thought I would sneak in for good measure), I was reminded that encouraging my clients to set style goals for themselves at the beginning of the year forced them to pause for a moment to focus on their image. After all, if we're going to set resolutions to finally lose those 10 pounds or to move to the next level in our career, shouldn't we ultimately be concerned with how we package ourselves? Your attire and overall physical appearance are the first two things people notice, well before you open your mouth to engage them. Since a first impression is a lasting impression, why not make it a fabulous one?

One of my favorite monthly features in Harper's Bazaar Magazine is the "Fabulous At Every Age" section. (Last year they put out another style book by the same name.) From your 20's to your 70' the editors show you how you can look fashionable and fabulous with age appropriate pieces that keep people wondering, "how old is she really?"

I encourage all of my followers to make sure they focus on themselves in 2010. Instead of throwing on those sweats and running out the door, why not consider wearing a pair of boyfriend jeans (they are just as comfortable), a black tee and a colorful scarf? If you need someone to help you set your goals and hold you accountable, email me at adrienne@psiloveyoullc.com.