Hello All,  Happy Friday!!  I noticed something the other day while blog visiting and I’ve decided to change the name of one of my new regular post’s Up Close and Personal to Chit Chat. 

I didn’t realize that one of the other poplular plus size blogs had a regular post with the same title.  OOoops Sorry!! Just like Up Close and Personal; Chit Chat will become a regular post here at Style Vanguard. 

The column was created to hightlight people who are shaping the ever growing plus size community in their own unique way.  New and Upcoming Designers, Veteren Entrprenuers, Bloggers and/or Our Dedicated Readers and Everyday Regular People with a real flair for fashion.

I had the honour of touching base with the delightful and down to earth Jasmine Elder Owner and Creator of the infamous Jibri Line.  Jasmine’s incredible talent and impeccable taste speak volumes for itself. 

Jasmine and I have somewhat become Cyber Buddies, chit chatting from time to time.  I like to think she my New Designer BFF.  

Jibri has recently launched it’s Fall/Winter 09 Collection with plenty of New and Exciting pieces.  

What does fashion mean to you:  Self Expression … Freedom

Five Must Haves:  1. A Sickning pair of Stelletos  2. A Flawless Mani & Pedi 3. A Signature Haircut  4.  At least one dress that makes you smile everytime you look at it  5. A friend who loves you without any of the aforementioned must have

What was the first articles of clothing you ever designed:  A dressing gown … Age 9

Describe the general process you go through to design and realize a piece of clothing:  I dream clothes … well sihouettes at least. I know that sounds crazy but thats what happens. I dream a dress, I wake up and draw it. Then I dig through the pounds of fabric until I find one that works for my vision. I make that one dress … picture the woman in it … accessorize her and decide where she’s going to wear the dress and then I usually design 4-5 other pieces around that one dress. I’ve tried to figure out where the dreams come from … mostly music and old movies I think. A long night of great music usually keeps me working for weeks

Favorite Designers: John Galliano, Hussein Chalayan, Betsy Johnson

Style Icons: Grace Jones … Love the SNARL, Diana Ross … Love the SASS, Lucille Ball … Love the SKIRTS

Favourite local model:  Sumer Grissom … F**cking  Fabulous.  She’s seriously UNSTOPPABLE!!

Favorite clothing stores/catalogs/websites:  Store … Thrift Stores and Nieman Marcus last call … Catalog … JC Penny’s (I never buy anything from it but I’ve always loved that giant catalog for some reason) Websites …. NecoleBitchie.com (GUILTY PLEASURE)

Where can readers buy your clothes:  Currently sold at Nikki London in Philadelphia PA, Curve Appeal in Catersville GA and online at www.jibrionline.etsy.com

Look Ladies … on a serious note I LOVE the JIBRI Line, as many of you know I have personally purchased some items from the line and Jasmine’s creations are simply beautiful.  Support an upcoming designer and pay her online boutique a visit TODAY!!  Buy something don’t just window shop.  We need to keep Jasmine busy so she can keep creating those Traffic Stopping Hot #’s.  Lola promises you won’t be sorry!!

If you HEART Jibri too, leave a comment and profess your LOVE!!