Carmakoma’s collections are always beautifully executed and easy on my eyes, and this latest fall collection is no different. The lookbook is the perfect way to celebrate the upcoming season and show off their design talent. 

Carmakoma starts with a palette of black in all sorts of fabrications (from satin shine to matte) and I love the sprinkling in of knitted pieces with patches at the elbows with details that are borrowed from the boys.

I love this one shoulder dress with a removable strap! This genius detail shows me that Carmakoma understands some curvy gals need added support and others don’t. Functional and beautiful with a modern print, this is a wardrobe must-have!

I can’t wait to show you some Aimee’s Looks featuring Carmakoma!

Tell me, which pieces do you love?

We are loving the Marc by Marc Jacobs – Preppy Leather Sia bag in Froggie Green which is also today’s Obsession du Jour!

Zappos.com- Hunter Verbier

OldNavy.com- Women’s Plus Back-Strap Halter Swimsuits

Zappos.com- Brigitte Bailey by Pour la Victoire Nala

Avenue- Maxi Dress, Faux Wrap

Calvin Klein- Dot Printed Belt Dress

Zappos.com- Marc by Marc Jacobs Preppy Leather Sia

Do you wear green for St. Patrick’s Day?

A large crowd gathered in New York City’s Time Square to watch the OneStopPlus.com fashion show! Special guests included plus model Lizzie Miller and Camilla Hansen, who can be seen above holding the OneStopPlus.com fashion show banner. A large crowd gathered around the models to watch the show as fellow New Yorker’s who were running around NYC for fashion week stopped to take in the virtual looks. The fans were also give cute OSP pins to wear in support of the fashion show. Robyn Lawley modeled all 30 looks in the collection. She told us:

“Modeling 30 looks for OSP myself was crazy. I had no idea really until I rocked up to the fitting that I would be the only one, when John one the leading directors of the company told me they would be showing it in Times Square my heart skipped a beat. I’m from Sydney in Australia and now I’m going to be on the massive screen in Time Square NYC. I was so honored but I actually missed seeing all the other girls because so many great friendships were forged that day. Nonetheless it was my duty to make sure that this was taken seriously (just as any other fashion show for NYC fashion week).  Zahir, who came up with all the designs, is such a sweet talented man. The show’s theme is called “Sultrous garden” and that was exactly how I felt  – very seductive and beautiful in the clothes. The accessories were insane so unique and so cool, you can find ‘his from the sketchbook into reality’ on the OSP facebook page, something that is both insightful and very creative.”

Plus Model Lizzie Miller of Wilhelmina’s W Curve is wearing a very soft wool coat from the brand. She was letting everyone feel how soft it was – like butter! Her look was beautiful and the color scheme was ready for spring.

Ameerah Omar, agent for Wilhelmina’s W Curve division, poses with plus model Camilla Hansen.

Lizzie Miller chats with Stephanie Sobel, President of OneStopPlus.com.

…and the show begins!

Check out key looks from the OneStopPlus.com show here!

What do you think of the OneStopPlus.com Time’s Square fashion show?

See more of the collection here.

“ For Spring, I was inspired by iconic American sportswear pieces…a chic trench, the longer full skirt, the quintessential cardigan, a blazer done in a new way, and the printed Capri to name a few! My tip: Mix it up and have fun as the weather heats up!”

Richard Metzger                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Executive Vice President of Design

Top 5 Picks of Spring 2011:

Rafaella Spring 2011 continues on our promise of fashion that works; form and function combines to make style easy. With a foundation of the perfect fitting pants, Rafaella allows you to shop by shape with fits tailored to your body type. Slimming technology adds that extra wow to make you look your best. Spring is a season of color, from graphic black and white with jolts of green and cobalt to a desert oasis of neutrals popped by orange and yellow to a ravishing garden of poppies in bloom sporting an array of reds, pinks, and turquoise painted on a nautical canvas of navy and white.

Shop Rafaella now on LordandTaylor.com!

What do you think of Rafaella’s 2011 spring collection?

Inspiration for the Spring 2011 Carmakoma

1. Black Sexy and Cool Pants- Tityra

3. A Cute Vest- Meadowlark

4. A Shirt Dress- Martin

5. A Long Dress- Ink

What do you think of Carmakoma’s Spring 2011 look?

“Target aims to offer all our guests the latest trends at an affordable price. This spring, the Pure Energy collection delivers fashion-forward must-haves for plus-size women.”

Jessica Deede Target Spokesperson

Inspiration for Spring 2011:

From floral prints to denim, Pure Energy, available exclusively at Target, translates the latest trends into silhouettes that complement curvy body types size 16 and up.

Top 5 fashion picks of the season:

1. Whether it’s a flirty blouse or feminine dress, spring is the season for florals.This season we see a return to longer hemlines.
2. The maxi dress is a stylish way to stay chic and comfortable.
3. Denim is a key wardrobe essential and this season we’ve updated the classic silhouettes with darker washes and distressed detailing. Choose from the skinny style or a more relaxed boyfriend fit to stay on-trend.
4. This spring, every wardrobe needs a cropped cardigan. The item is great for layering during these in-between seasons.
5. Cotton jersey dresses are easy, comfortable and always flattering making them a favorite pick for spring.

What is your critique of the Pure Energy line for Target’s collection?

Shop The Collection!

Amazon- Juniors Plus Size Pure Energy Navy Maxi Dress

Amazon- Juniors Plus Size Pure Energy Chrysanthemum Short Sleeve Knit Dress

Amazon- Juniors Plus Size Ebony Elbow Sleeve Cardigan Sweater

Amazon- Juniors’ Plus-Size Pure Energy Blue Straight-Leg Destruction Jeggings

Amazon- Juniors’ Plus-Size Pure Energy Red/Ebony V-Neck Elbow-Sleeve Tunic Top

What do you think of Pure Energy’s Spring 2011 collection?

Over the holiday season, I (Erica) had the pleasure to visit Modcloth’s corporate office in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The corporate office was located in the strip district in Pittsburgh and occupies a hip urban warehouse space.

Modcloth is known in the fashion industry for carrying some of the coolest vintage styles out there. The founders of Modcloth, Susan and Eric Koger, were highschool sweethearts. In highschool, Susan spent her weekends shopping and buying vintage and retro clothing that she loved, regardless if it was her size.  Eric spent his time perfecting his computer skills, creating his first website at 16. Upon starting college at Carnegie Mellon University, Susan and Eric started an online shop with the vintage and retro clothing stocked in Susan’s dorm room. Modcloth quickly outgrew Susan’s dorm and they moved the company to the house they lived in and then to progressively larger and larger warehouses. After college, Susan and Eric married and turned Modcloth into their full time profession. Since then, Modcloth has gained the following of the fashion industry they seek to redefine, with features in WWD, Glamour, Lucky, InStyle, and Redbook. The company has also received great press for their business smarts with features in Inc and Entrepreneur magazines. Programs such as “Be the Buyer” have impressed fashionistas and business leaders alike in breaking down the traditional barrier between a company’s buyer and the consumer by allowing Modcloth fans to vote on what they want to buy.

The rapid growth of Modcloth has lead to a large demand in extended sizes as many curvy fashionistas clamor to dress in Modcloth styles. This response from the plus size community has led Modcloth to add extended size ranges to their product assortment where ever they can. One thing that is very admirable about the company, is that they will not add extended sizes if the retailer does not invest in the resources and time needed to create the best fitting garment in extended sizes. While they could easily ask a vendor to increase the size range to make extra money, they don’t if the vendor can’t do it correctly. You can read more about this in their “Size of the Times” blog post.

Right when I walked in the office I was impressed with the open layout with project teams grouped together in their specific sections and conference rooms around the perimeter. The company mascot is a pug named Winston who keeps a watchful eye over the office with a large picture of the cute pug on the far wall of the office. In the back of the office is an entire photography studio where the clothing that is shot and styled for the website. I was very impressed by this as many companies outsource the photography and styling to creative companies and do not do it in house as Modcloth does.

The day I was there, they were prepping for their next shoot with the photographers readying the photo equipment and the stylists stemming the garments. There was also a vast array of shoe racks, accessory bins, and racks of leggings that would make any fashionista envious!

Modcloth also has their inspiration boards on display for all of the office to view by the photo studio (just like Madison Plus).  The Pittsburgh office also handles the vendor relations for New York and Europe, public relations team, and customer support with the San Francisco office handling the remaining responsibilities.

I was fully impressed by my visit to the Pittsburgh of Modcloth and truly believe in the vision of this company. We are looking forward to bringing you new news on Modcloth and their fashionable clothing, stay tuned!

What do you think of my visit to Modcloth? Love their merchandise as much as we do?

Also, don’t forget to shop Madison Plus’ hand-picked Modcloth shop here!

We all love H&M but were greatly disappointed when they pulled the BiB plus line out of stores in the U.S. We have heard rumors that H&M will start shipping Stateside 2012. They are showing some great striped cardigans, printed tunics and cargo pants.

Check out Tara Lynn modeling the spring 2011 BiB line on H&M.com. Tara is a Ford + model whom we featured in Tara Lynn for Glamour back in July.

What do you think of Tara Lynn modeling for H&M?

This Friday Aimee will be on the CBS Early Show modeling an outfit that will show you how to dress slimmer for your body. The segment will focus on perfect looks for all occasions that will also follow the fashion trends. Aimee will be wearing a suit that will highlight the fashion trend of color blocking. The suit will flatter her apple figure perfectly by creating the illusion of a waist through the cut and style of the jacket. Color blocking, when done right, can also create a slimmer silhouette. This jacket paired with a well-fitted pencil skirt will help to define her waist and ellongate her legs. The outfit paired with the perfect pump creates a fully streamlined look, which is great for impressing your colleagues at the office.

This will be Aimee’s first modeling job on national TV and she is so excited to be doing it, especially now with Madison Plus as the go to resource for the clothes she and the other models will be wearing. Aimee is a size 14 and the other models will be showing how to dress for sizes 8, 10, and 12.

Be sure to check out the CBS The Early Show Friday 7amEST (tomorrow!) Morning!

-

Shop Aimee’s CBS Look

Shop Colourblocking:

Shape FX – Hold-You-In Sculpting Power-Point Jacket

MICHEAL by Micheal Kors – Plus Size Ponte Pencil Skirt

Macys – INC Malinda Pumps

Galian – Zipper Detail Clutch

Sleek Monochrome:

Khols – LC Lauren Conrad Satin Trim Blazer

White House Black Market – Sequin Tank

Zappos – Steve Madden Black Stretch Riding Pants

Nine West – Ruffle Booties

Weekend Look:

Modcloth – Strike A Cord Cardigan

Nordstroms – NYDJ Trouser Jean

Zappos – Kate Spade Janine Top

Zappos – Kenneth Cole East/West Clutch

Zappos – Type Z Monica Pump

Muted Patterns:

Jessica Simpson Collection – Floral Dress

Kohls – Apt 9 Metallic Stretch Belt

JC Penneys – Silver Stretch Pyramid Bracelet

Zappos- Steve Madden Caryssa Pumps

All the looks were styled by Katrina Szish, follow her on Twitter.

Torrid is saying hello to spring early with their new video highlighting the spring collection. We see that Torrid is really following some key summer trends such as the nautical sailor stripe in shirting and the minimal menswear influence in white button up shirts and pencil skirts. The video also features cardigans, jeans, leggings and a great bright colored dresses. Accessories are going to be huge this season for Torrid with belts, jewelry, fun shoes in the spotlight! Overall the look is chic and sexy!

Shop Torrid.com here!

What do you think of Torrid’s spring video?

Ashlene Nand is the co-founder of The F.A.M.E. Movement and friend of MP. Ashlene also has some serious style cred. Just look at how she layered leggings, a lace dress, and a white blazer with some stunning Christian Louboutin heels.  The red soles of a pair of Louboutins make us swoon here at MP and we love Ashlene’s pair!

Shop Ashlene’s Look!

Target: Double Bar Enamel Bangle Bracelet

New York & Co.: Princess Seam Jacket

Zappos: DKNYC Plus Size Leggings

Zappos: DKNYC Plus Size Shift Dress

Christian Louboutin: Pique Prive Patent Leather Pumps

Check out the latest video from the French boutique Kamino in Paris, France. How bout a little Je ne sais quoi style for you? Check out her website here and the English land page here.

Lourdes Leon was seen leaving school in this casual trendy outfit consisting of an printed boyfriend cardigan, solid white basic tee, black ripped skinny jeans and ankle lace up combat boots. I love this combination of the preppy and rocker trend and play on proportions with the skinny jean and oversized top.

Shop Lourdes’ Look:

Torrid -Z. Cavarrici Natalia Nero Plus Size Skinny Jean

Torrid – White Burnout Scoop Neck Plus Size Tee

Alloy – Plaid Boyfriend Cardigan

Shopbop – Boutique 9 Rivit Lace Up Flat Boots

Shopbop – Olivia Harris by Joy Gryson Metallic Round Sack Hobo

Calling our stylish MP Fans!

We want your style! Your style boards from Polyvore.com that is! Submit your style boards to info@madisonplus.com for a chance to be featured on MadisonPlus.com! Check out this great board from our fan Stephanie featuring a great Dorothy Perkins dress.

Shop Dorothy Perkins here!

Do you Polyvore?

We want your style! Your street style pictures that is! Send us your head-to-toe pictures showcasing your unique style for a chance to be featured on Madison Plus!

What makes a good street style picture?

• Keep the background simple or find an interesting street!
• Watch the red eye!
• Show us your head-to-toe look!

Send us your best head-to-toe looks to Info@MadisonPlus.com

Here is a great example of a street style look from Annie Laurie of NYC:

Send us your best head-to-toe looks to Info@MadisonPlus.com