What does fashion mean to you?  Fashion to me means taking a trend and making it your own. The way you dress for any occasion expresses your individuality and presentation is essential in how you feel from day to day.  It conveys attention to detail and pride in yourself and what you do.  Being fashionable doesn’t have to break the bank; women can feel and look great by understanding and applying these tips:

1. Know how to dress for your body shape (some styles are more flattering than others for certain shapes); we can help women identify their shape and pick the most figure flattering cuts (our website has “browse by shape” functionality)
2. Shop smart: pick up staple items that are timeless (i.e. little black dress, great jeans, classy sweater, club tops) when you have lots of time or when they are on sale – do not wait till the last minute as your selection will be limited and satisfaction diminished
3. Accessorize – like many fashion experts have stated over time, accessories make the outfit. Pick up great belts, jewellery, shoes, scarves and shawls when you see ones that you love. And be adventurous with colour; express your moods and personality
4. Smooth out your shape: if you are comfortable in shape wear, whichever brand you prefer, have a few on hand in different colours. They bring you down a size or two, smooth out your shape and some even help with your posture.

5 Must Haves?

1. Confidence and self-esteem – if you feel gorgeous, you are!
2. A classic wrap dress (the wrap detail conceals certain problem areas)
3. Classy and sassy club/social tops
4. Great stretch black pants
5. Thick oversized stretch belts and good, comfortable shape wear.

Favourite Clothing Designers?  While I admire the innovation and risk that designers take, I like a lot of unknown designers because a great garment is a great garment no matter who makes it and its high time plus size fashions are affordable.

Style Icons?  Myself! I think we should all follow our instincts and be brave combined with some expert tips, like those listed above.

Favourite clothing/jewellery stores/catalogs/websites?   3 favs:

1. Curvacious.ca  – organisers of much needed plus sized events in the GTA
2. Curvaceous Consignments - specialty consignment boutique catering to women sizes 14+
3. Bellesplus  - an international directory serving the plus size community

Describe the path that has lead you to where you are in your career right now?   I always wanted to start my own business so that my creativity could be used to its full extent and ironically I was laid off from a 10 year marketing management job in November 2008.  So I registered the business, used government resources to find information for starting a small business and flew to New York in July 2009 to find wholesalers who carried the styles at the prices I wanted. I have continued to grow from there, learning new ways to keep costs low so that I may in turn keep my fashions affordable for customers.

What advice do you have for other women who would like to follow in your footsteps? Consult Enterprise Toronto – a great resource for new business owners including free seminars, statistical research, forms and friendly service.  Also, NETWORK (verb) – it’s like traditional advertising on steroids.

So what can expect from you next?  As we grow, SexyPlus will carry a greater selection of sizes (4, 5, 6X), and we host monthly open house fashion parties where ladies can shop in a comfortable environment without pressure. Our website is almost ready (counting down the days) and we will ship internationally.

We are celebrating the website launch with the Curvacious.ca ladies on October 17th.  Details here.

How are you shaping the plus size community?   Women should feel and look great no matter what their size and they need to learn to focus on their assets like their beautiful faces, curves, hips, breasts, femininity and personality. I stand behind these words as I posed for an episode of ‘How To Look Good Naked Canada” in my underwear which will be aired in February.

Ladies Stefanie has been gracious enough to offer an exclusive discount to all Style Vanguard readers for her upcoming event.  Please stop by and check her out in person or online at www.sexyplusclothing.com .  Print this coupon or let her know that Lola from SV sent you.  Happy Shopping!!