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Interview with a Lingerie Designer: Lulu West
1 commentsNote from Di: Lingerie designer Lulu West recently supplied some pieces for review that were of exceptional quality. Intrigued, I decided to find out more about this new company on the plus size lingerie scene.
Is Lulu West your first foray into fashion? How long have you been in business?
Yes it is our first launch in the fashion industry. We launched November 15th of 2011 and have been featured in Plus Model Magazine in December 2011.
Are you able to do international sales?
Yes. And we offer free shipping on all of our products however we are unable to cover the costs a customer may incur for returns.
Please share your design background, and tell me about why you chose to design lingerie and swimwear.
We have been in the industry for over 10 years specializing in swimwear and lingerie. Lu Lu West was created through our love of fashion right great fitting silhouettes for plus size women. We have a designer and fit background. Fit is so important to us at Lu Lu West and defines us a luxury brand. We also deliver on the best materials, color, aesthetic design as well as on emotion.
What are you bringing to plus size women that’s unique to you?
We were so tired of seeing dated designs, colors, and prints for the plus size woman. It’s unfortunate this customer is bombarded with bad designs. Even though the industry has improved over the past few years with an influx of new designers and brands catering to the plus size woman it is still dominated by bland fashion that really does not do her justice. We at Lu Lu West bring classic and timeless fashion with a great fit in high quality fabrics. Our focus is purely on the plus size woman and creating fashion that compliment her.
Your swimsuit designs fascinate me, especially the plus size bikini. Can you tell me more about the inspiration for it? Can your swimwear be used by women in sports?
Inspiration has been the 50′s pin-up girl. We were tired of seeing unflattering swimwear out there for the plus size woman. So we infused fun, sexy, playful designs with a bit of a retro look into our swimwear. The old mind set of plus size women needing to "cover up" is out and celebrating their bodies is so in! We want what our friends have but with the support we need. There are several pieces within our Lu Lu West collection that can be utilized by women in sports. The black and white polka dot one-piece featured under swimwear will provide necessary support during low impact activities such as water aerobics.
What item in stock is your personal favorite? Is there a particular item you wear yourself?
The "Oh So Marilyn Slip" is one of our favorites. It has a sexy halter and a fluted hem so you can mimic Marilyn in the iconic scene of her standing over that subway grate. For swimwear we love the "Scoop Neck Halter Top" and "skirted bikini bottom" this style gives us plenty of support and and we love having a skirt over the bikini. Also with the retro styling we can show a little of our mid-riff without feeling exposed. What would you like Fat Chic readers especially to know about Lulu West lingerie? Our lingerie is for the plus size woman that wants to feel sexy in beautifully designed lingerie. Design is so important in aesthetic, color, and silhouette and is carefully married with the importance and attention to fit creating the experience of feeling beautiful, comfortable, and sexy all adding to the emotional experience of Lu Lu West.
Plus Size News Roundup 1/23/2012
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- Rosie O’Donnell has brought back her talk show. I’m kind of thinking that Ellen DeGeneres has already more or less replaced Oprah.
- A Phoenix area plus-size bride called out a local bridal show for only using models sizes 2-4.
- Cynthia Bailey (from Real Housewives of Atlanta) started her casting call/model search in Birmingham. I have no understanding whatsoever of her significance to plus-size fashion, but she keeps cropping up.
- Melissa Martinez has resigned from dieting per this personable essay.
- Miss Piggy appeared as a guest judge on Project Runway. If you’re going to have puppets of the fashion industry on that show, it might as well be that puppet.
- The Super Bowl rejected an ad for a plus-size dating site. I reject those ads, too, although probably for totally different reasons.
- Tim Gunn has been speaking up more on a)how plus-sizes are neglected in fashion and b)how Anna Wintour is out of her freaking mind. If the man of fashion knows the Empress has no freakin’ – wow, that reference gets REALLY messed up in fashion. Mr. Gunn, if you do a plus-size line, can I help? I should warn you, I can’t sew, cut a straight line, or resist the urge to run with shears.
- Size 6 is the “new plus size.” Because the entire fashion industry no longer has the capacity to calculate 6 + 10. This same week this comes with a call-out for trying to divide breathing, human women into nothing more than labels.
- People has a poll: What plus size actress dressed best? *headdesk* I can’t do anything about people buying into that form of social violence, either.
- Emme Aronson is speaking up on the eating disorder epidemic in the fashion industry.
International
- An Indonesian publication is now exploring the issues of modeling lingerie on plus size bodies.
- Style.it has a rant about women’s bodies versus women’s bodies in fashion.
- Kauê Plus Size in Brazil is seeking male models.
- The Bangkok Post addresses the frustrations of plus-size clothing shopping.
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Fat!So? Day Planner
0 commentsYou can get your copyfor $14US at Voluptuart.com.
Also – take a look at the Yay! Scale:
Review: Leading Lady Bras
1 commentsFTC notice: bras for review were provided free of charge by Leading Lady.
Leading Lady specialize in comfort bras – ones that support without digging into you, leaving red marks or otherwise acting as medieval instruments of torture. With bra sizes running up to 52H, they do offer the full spectrum in bust support. I was offered two bras for review, and I chose the Molded Padded Seamless Wirefree Full Figure bra in True Jade, and and the Front Closure Leisure Bra in nude.
http://www.leadinglady.com/full-figure-bras/wirefree-bras/front-clusure-sleep-leisure-bra.html>
![clip_image001[5]](http://fatchic.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/clip_image0015.jpg "clip_image001[5]")
I would like to mention at this point that while I am often “visually assessed” to be a DD bra of varying band size guess, I am in fact a solid 44C. I can only assume people mistake my arm fat for breast tissue, because I still can’t figure out the reason for this consistent error. I mention this because I know how many women of DDD, E cups and beyond may well have different concerns than I do, and I have heard long speeches on the necessity of underwire. When it comes to bra reviews, I can only speak to my own experience. Different breasts have different needs. Mine mostly need support and minor containment.
My experience with both Leading Lady bras was good. Both were supportive. Nothing dug into me. I also loved the Jade color on the padded wirefree bra. I’ve taken to wearing some off the shoulder looks, and that does involve some deliberate peekaboo bra strap. Some may complain that it’s not ladylike, but I consider a bra strap showing of a different geography than that of a thong.
I would like to mention that this padding in plus-size bras is not a universal need. I certainly can’t discount the needs/desires of women that have had mastectomies – as I age, the looming specter of breast cancer has moved in right next door to me as more than one person I know has survived it. At the same time, any bra over a B cup probably doesn’t need padding – the fillers already there, so a bra designer just needs to provide the casing. If cased properly, it will give the correct line to whatever’s over top of it just fine. Yes, this can also apply to wire free bras.
Despite the slightly awkward feeling of the padding (which is easily enough removed) I liked this bra. First, it’s pretty, and second, it is pain free. For me the perfect bra is one that I forget that I’m wearing, and it came very close to being that bra.
I chose the front hook leisure bra because I haven’t been able to obtain a front hook bra since I was in high school, and admittedly I rather enjoy some of my naughtier memories of that time. While the tiny hooks did tend to come unhooked in the middle here and there, I didn’t have any “free flying” moments, and I very easily forgot I was wearing the bra, sometimes for 12-16 hours at a clip. There were also no pressure marks on my skin from wearing it, so the band size was a great fit, and no telltale pain that tells me when I’m not getting enough support.
I wholeheartedly recommend both these bras. For those with C cup and above, there are some good choices in what they offer, from sports bras to classic underwires.
Have you tried Leading Lady bras? Please share your experience!
Plus Size News Roundup 1/9/2012
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image from Jornal Agora, Miss Plus Size Bikini Carla Manso
- The New York Times ran a story and photo essay about Shani Gofman, a 20 year old who decided to opt for lap band surgery. It’s not overly graphic, but there are some uncomfortable bits.
- There is a thoughtful essay in This Is Somerset on how the fashion industry keeps presenting size 12 models as “plus-sized” and how it’s marginalizing their target consumer; this was part of a larger picture of why we as a culture continue to buy things we don’t need, or in greater amounts than we need them. This has also created a fashion desert wherein women between sizes 10-14 (in US, UK or AU sizing) just want some damn clothing to wear. It has been expressed to me by many “in-betweenies” that the increased attention on the plus-size market has left anyone who actually qualifies as average looking into the benefits and detriments of nudist colonies. (If you go that route, bring a towel. Trust me on that one.)
Business of Plus
- In a writeup of Liz Claiborne company’s rebrand of Fifth and Pacific, it’s mentioned that Tim Gunn is contemplating a plus-size fashion line. He has made comments before, but I believe he commented at that time he wasn’t interested in pursuing design himself. That’s OK – things change.
- Pittsburgh area Oval Clothing owner Diane Dube talks about her Petite Plus line at TribLive.
International
- The Brazilian publication Jornal Agora MS has an article about the increasing choices for plus-size women in swimwear.
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Review: Lulu West Lingerie
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Notice: Products for review were provided courtesy of Lulu West.
Reviewing lingerie can be tough. It’s especially tough when I know so many of you readers check this blog from work. So I can’t give you a detailed review, and my partner would freak out if I posted pictures of myself in the gorgeous goodies that Ms. West so kindly provided.
![clip_image001[6]](http://fatchic.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/clip_image0016.jpg "clip_image001[6]")
Ms. West provided me with a black lace panty and a lingerie style slip. The slip could be worn underneath something – but the way it’s cut, there’s no way you could wear it “slip dress” style, because that lace runs sheer and right down your sides. Despite some (unplanned/unintended meaning “no diet secrets to share on this one”) weight loss over the last two years, I’m a very solid size 28. Both slip and panty fit me exactly.
Here are my standards for panties:
- Stay up when I have to walk any distance. These did.
- Do not dig into my skin or leave marks. They did not.
- Since it’s lingerie, I also do ask for my partner’s opinion. He is a fan.
For the slip, that would go well underneath a coat or shirt dress:
- The fit is very comfortable – I could sleep in this if I had had sleep in mind.
- The fit was also very, very good. It even flattered my belly area, which is well nigh impossible the way I’m shaped.
- It feels really good to wear, just the right amount of silk to lace, and the lace did not itch as it will sometimes do.
- It feels classic and sexy, rather than in any way degrading. Lingerie always runs a fine line, and this is “enjoy your sensuality” rather than “shame on you.” I consider that a mark of good design.
- Partner rating – I know for a fact he’s going to ask me to wear this again. He’s a big, BIG fan of this particular slip.
The options are all designed by Ms. West, and run from size 14/16 – size 26/28. It’s also well worth exploring her swimwear – she may have the most plus-size friendly bikini I have ever seen:
![clip_image001[8]](http://fatchic.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/clip_image0018.jpg "clip_image001[8]")
Meet Derby Girl Chaotic Daze
0 commentsMeet Chaotic Daze, a roller derby blocker that goes by the name “Daze.” She plays for TX-RG Rec and Roller Derby, and has participated in the sport for a year. This Austin, Texas roller derby girl has taken some serious hits in her sport, but she keeps rolling!
How did you discover roller derby? What were your first thoughts when you saw a match the first time?
I first discovered roller derby from the show Rollergirls. It only aired for a session, but that was enough to peak my interest. Funny thing about that is my favorite skater from that show, Smarty Pants, is now one of my skater trainers. When I moved to Austin, where derby is just huge, I decided to go to a game. It was life changing. It’s hard to describe my feelings the first time I saw roller derby. The first bout I went to it was a mixture of awe, excitement, wonder and pride. This was women playing a full contact sport! Being strong, beautiful and physical! There were women of every size playing. There were girls my size and bigger being cheered for and kicking ass! Let’s face it, this was the first time I had ever seen a sport where the “big girls” we’re some of the best on the team. This was something I HAD to do!
Also, what’s your age?
I am thirty, that’s right, thirty. One of the amazing thing about roller derby is you can do it at any age. With our “Brat’s” (junior) and “Rec-N-Rollerderby” leagues we range roughly from 8 years old to 58 years old.
What is a typical derby season – how many matches, how much travel, is there a final goal/cup to play for?
I have been playing for year. I current am in our rec league and our sessions go all year. We have two to three practices per week (or more) depending on what you sign up for. There are different levels you assess to in order to play harder and faster. We scrimmage once a month. The game planning is just as fun as the scrimmages themselves! This may be rec league but we go all out from announcers and themes to intros and a crowd of family and friends….. we do it all. We do not have a playoff or cup in rec league that we play toward. We play for the love of the game.
What position do you play? How does your body factor into how you play roller derby?
My main position is blocker. I can use my size to throw solid hits or contain the other teams jammer to prevent them from scoring. I also play jammer but not because I’m small or fast, just because I play hard and use my size to my advantage. My size is a definite advantage in derby. In one of my very first practices, I’ll never forget it, a girl I was practicing a blocking drill with said “wow, you’re fast and have a big bootie, your so lucky!” And that was the beginning of my loving and appreciating what my body can do.
Are you involved in other sports or performances?
I am not involved in any other sports. Derby is plenty for me!
What is the most severe injury you’ve gotten during derby?
Injuries happen. Not to everyone, there are plenty that have never gotten hurt. I however have. Not badly but I have fractured my wrist, deslocated my elbow and the rest has been limited to bruises, soreness and one black eye.
Considerations, I have to make that is unique to me is because I am bigger than other players I have to watch how hard I hit. The refs have pulled me aside once or twice for hitting too hard. Just because I can hit the tiny girls accross the track doesn’t mean I always should (or so they say).
Other than working when I’m not on skates I am reading, hanging out with my girlfriend Bruis’er (who recent started derby) or just hanging out and having fun .
What would you like the world to know about yourself, or about roller derby?
It is life changing. You get out what you want from it, you push as hard as you want to push yourself (as my trainer Kat A Killzem is so fond of saying). Anyone can to this, from the mom that can only practice one day a week to the ones that practice everyday in hopes to making it on a premier pro team. For me, it has brought me this amazing group of supportive women. Women I am lucky enough to call friends. It has given me an outlet. When I’m sad, stressed, happy or anything else derby and my derby girls are there. What else can I say? Roller derby saved my soul!
Review: Hanes Silk Reflections Opaque Thigh Highs
0 commentsMandatory FTC notice: Hanes sent me the products mentioned free of charge.
Hanesbrands (the parent company of Just My Size) sent me a batch of hosiery products to test this winter: Silk Reflections Opaque thigh highs in black, Silk Reflections sheer tights in brown and also in brick. So far I’ve had a chance to try out the thigh highs. They’re thick, they do stay up with the help of a garter (and can stay up for a little while when one comes loose) and I know I’ll be able to wear them several more times, so long as I keep up my pedicures.
This picture shows me wearing the thigh highs. My partner and I are wearing masks because we were attending a masquerade night. (The dress is by Torrid.) I do think that I need more training in garter attachment – I wound up doing a bizarrely acrobatic thing where I attached the garter in the back first, somehow got the stockings on and then attached them in the front.
I do NOT recommend this unless you’re pretty advanced in yoga. I am not. This experience was a reminder of that. I did find this video, which also gives a great idea of WHAT to look for in a good garter belt.
You can find more plus size thigh high options on Fat Chic Clothing search.
A piece of good news: My Mobster is funded
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Joy Nash got her funding, thanks to the folks that helped with the Kickstarter campaign!
Plus Size News Roundup 1/16/2012
1 commentsphotographer Eve Arnold - from the Economist
If you’d like a bit more satirein your day, watch this:
See larger image
Eve Arnold's People (Hardcover)