Inspiration for the Spring 2011 Season:

“For Spring I wanted to emphasize a woman’s curves.  Everything is fitted at the waist – even a punchy pink suit – to create an hourglass silhouette.  I used a mix of striking colors like fuchsia and sapphire blue as well as a pretty pale sage green and the season’s most talked about neutral; champagne, in the color palette.  For Spring we focused on making fabulous dresses in womens sizes, since dresses are what we have always done best.  There is something to fit and flatter everyone!”

“We believe in respecting our customer and making her feel fabulous by consistently making beautifully crafted, feminine clothing.”

Kay Unger
Head Designer and Creative Director

Top 5 Fashion Picks of the Season:

• A Pale Neutral Piece
• A Fit and Flare Dress
• The Go-To Cocktail Number
• A Feminine Suit
• An Elegant Gown

What do you think of Kay Unger’s Spring 2011 line?

Shop Kay Unger on Neiman Marcus!

Inspiration for the Spring 2011 Season:

I can’t wait for spring to arrive to indulge myself in this season’s fabulous prints and 70′s maxi dresses. I am torn between the bird of paradise White Label collection and the playfulness of our Black Label. My favorite accent of the color of the season is lime green!

Check out a fabulous interview with designer Anna Scholz here:

Top 5 fashion picks of the Spring 2011 season:

Anna Scholz- White Label Double Silk Border Maxi Wrap Dress

Anna Scholz- White Label Double Silk Pleat Shift Dress

Anna Scholz- Black Label Print Jersey Racerback Vest

Anna Scholz- Black Label Print Jersey Crochet Black Dress

Anna Scholz- White Label Digital Jersey Pleat Dress

What do you think of Anna Scholz’s Spring 2011 season?

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?

“It’s all about the classics, and nothing is more eternally elegant than leather and lace.”

Charina Warne
Head Designer at Lala Belle

Inspiration for the Spring 2011 Season:

The standout inspiration for me was the Dolce and Gabbana show.

Top 5 fashion picks of the season:

• Lala Belle – Black Leather & Lace Dress
• Chloe – Calfskin Ankle Wedges
  
• Lala Belle – French Lace Dress
• Billy Bride – Attica Ring
• Billy Bride - Zara Ring

Check out Lala Belle and let us know what you think!

What do you think of Lala Belle’s look?

This week is Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center! As we bring you the fashion fun from NYC, we are also featuring an MP Virtual Fashion Week for the second season in a row! Join us each day as we showcase some of the best designers and brands that feature the hottest fashions for plus women.  You will have a front-row seat for new looks, the inspiration behind them, details from the designers and more!  Who will be walking our virtual runway? Just wait and see!

Check out Fall 2010′s MP Virtual Fashion Week favorites here:

MP Virtual Fashion Week: Anna Scholz

MP Virtual Fashion Week: Darren Trentacosta

MP Virtual Fashion Week: JIBRI

MP Virtual Fashion Week: Lala Belle

MP Virtual Fashion Week: Lucie Lu

MP Virtual Fashion Week: Carmakoma

MP Virtual Fashion Week: Eliza Parker

MP Virtual Fashion Week: Kay Unger

MP Virtual Fashion Week: Pure Energy at Target

MP Virtual Fashion Week: Gayla Bentley

Which designers and brands do you want to see during MP’s Virtual Fashion Week?

“It’s not about size, it’s about style!”

Gayla Bentley
Head Designer

Fall 2010 Inspiration:

Classic pieces with a twist from luxury to leopard!

Top Items for Fall 2010:

1. Leopard Print Jacket ($48)
2. Baroque Print Blouse w/ Sash ($42)
3. Red Knit Bolero Jacket ($42)
4. Brown Knit Bolero Jacket ($34)
5. Brown Knit Bootcut Pant ($34)

To order these pieces,  please call 1-800-496-2940 and tell them that Madison Plus sent you!

What is your critique of Gayla Bentley’s Fall collection?

Elisa D’Ospina went to Fashion Week in Madrid and wrote her thoughts on the recent laws they have passed and the country’s new focus on promoting a healthy body image.  Check out her post and let us know what you think!

These days I have been busy working for the international Fashion Week in Madrid. I have seen a change in Spain since the Spanish Prime Minister, Zapatero, created a law in 2007 that forced manufacturers to standardize sizes. This week a different emphasis was given to the plus-size companies. The objective is to promote an ideal of “healthy beauty” in Spain, where anorexia consumes half a million people. Fashion models who are underweight fail the health checks and are not allowed to walk. Last winter these check found 5 individuals (two Spanish and three foreign) out of 70 who measured 80” tall and weighed less than 50 killograms.

Many women in Spain have sizes above 44, reflect similar ideas about size as Latina women. During my work I have noticed how little communication there is regarding healthy body images in the fashion media.   Apart from the large groups that have been created to address the issues of health and size in the media (such as Curvy Can), many businesses still fail to understand that what is communicated as an ideal feminine image must be done with care.  A woman wants to have the opportunity to enhance her body, be beautiful and pleasing to herself as well as others and must not feel she should have to conform to an imposed ideal. So communicating these ideas well is very important in my opinion. I noticed in Europe recently that there is a small curvy revolution that is starting to happen and is bringing curvy women out behind the shadows with pride of their curvy figures. The models are also slowly changing, leaving at home the skeleton of anorexia. My days in Madrid during Fashion Week were out working and enjoying good food. Very similar to Italian cuisine. Even food for us plus-size model is important to maintain our health.

Spain is a country that I love, but for now  the dream is always America.

To learn more about Elisa D’Ospina or book her for a modeling job, check out ElisaDOspina.com

What do you think of Elisa D’Ospina’s post on Madrid Fashion Week?

“Regardless of size, trend-forward fashion options are very important to the Target guest. We’ve carefully developed our plus-size apparel collections to provide our female guest with the latest trends at a fabulous price.”

Katie Heinze
Target Spokesperson

Inspiration for the Fall 2010 Season:

“Target believes that everyone deserves great design at a great price; with this in mind, we work hard to offer our guests quality products at an affordable value. This fall, the Pure Energy collection provides Target guests with “up-to-the-minute” trend offerings, including pieces that highlight the military and motorcycle looks that are so popular this season.”

Top 5 fashion picks of the season:

1. Fall is the season to update your denim. We’re excited about skinny denim pants in a variety of colors and washes – not only do they carry well from season to season, but the different washes and detailing keeps them on-trend and fashionable this fall.

2. The military trend is big for fall, deep greens and khakis can be seen in both tops and bottoms.

3. Choose brightly colored tees or detailed tanks to add a pop of color into your ensemble.

4. Great layering pieces, such as plaid button downs, are a must-have for fall.

5. Choose fall pieces that offer versatility and will work as the weather changes, a classic black blazer is perfect for both the office or a night out on the town.

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

“My greatest joy is to watch women regain a sense of playfulness with their clothing. Our only fashion rule is to start from a place of love and creativity.”

Deb Malkin
Owner Re/Dress NYC

Inspiration for the Fall 2010 Season:

“Our inspiration for fall is our inspiration always, which is to find affordable pieces that will enhance our customer’s already existing wardrobe. Also, we’re always in hot pursuit of the perfect dress. This Fall we’re falling in love with metallic hardware, great vintage inspired prints, draping cardigans and sequins. (we always LOVE sequins at Re/Dress NYC).”

Top 5 Picks for the Fall 2010 Season:

1. Drape sweater
2. Sequin top
3. Vintage inspired
4. Zip front dress
5. Harem Pant

What is your Fashion Week critique of Re/Dress NYC?

Yesterday, OneStopPlus.com made fashion week and runway history by doing an entire runway show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week using only plus size models and plus fashions. Not only was the show a first ever, it was also very well done.

The models selected were some of the best in the industry with Ashley Graham, Lizzie Miller, Toccara Jones, Marquita Pring, Sabina Karlsson, Danielle Redman, Lauren Raley, Tonya Pittman, Robyn Lawley, Inga Eiriksdottir and many more strutting down the catwalk. The clothing was very well styled as well as beautifully presented. The VP of Design, Zahir Babvani, and Designer Galina Monaco presented a cool color palette that went from light lavendar, to rich purples, to cool blues, to darker denim, then light greens, olives, and then to shades of peach and coral. When all of the models came through for the final walk down the runway the color palettes and transitions between each looked expertly done.

The models makeup gave a luminous effect to their faces with a lightly orange lip and hair that was pulled back with a bump in the front and a long romantic coil in the back. After the show the models could not stop raving about the orange lip and wore their full hair and makeup out for the after party (don’t worry, we have pics from this and will post!).

Thank you OneStopPlus.com for raising the bar and bringing a high level of sophistication to the plus size fashion industry and the world! We greatly enjoyed the show!

What do you think of the OneStopPlus.com show? We will have even more coverage of the show up soon!

“I am so excited to share our new fall line. We are bringing you chic party dresses that evoke a sense of retro glamour while still giving you a great fit to hug and flatter your curves.”

Jessica Tenaglia,
Founder of Eliza Parker, Inc.

Inspiration for the Fall 2010 season:

This season is all about mid-century glamour. We drew our inspiration from classic films like Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window” and style icons such as Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, and Brigitte Bardot. We’re recalling a time when curves were embraced and celebrated.

Top 5 fashion picks of the season:

1. Black is the go-to neutral of the season. – Bordeaux Dress in Black
2. Retro silhouettes.- Bordeaux Dress in Plum
3. Muted color palettes; camel, beige, gray, and winter white.- Million Ways Long Cardigan in Gray
4. Curvy bodies. – Miami Dress in Turquoise
5. Menswear. – Greenwich Dress in Navy

What is your runway critique of the Eliza Parker line?

The new “Carpe diem” collection by carmakoma is a celebration of the brave femininity.

The woman in carmakoma’s new collection is ready to face the world. She welcomes any surprise the day might offer and does not hesitate to seize the moment and stand up for what she believes in.

“The carmakoma woman is a true ’warrior princess’. With feminine grace and charisma she is always ready to generate her own success – without minding other people’s opinions. And as a modern femme fatale she is not afraid to use her femininity as a way to achieve her goals”, says Heidie Lykke, Head Designer of carmakoma.

With the new collection the successful Danish designer brand emphasizes the characteristics and qualities of the confident woman in a novel, luxurious look. The collection combines sophisticated elegance and sexy self-confidence with a twist of casual coolness from the rock music universe. At the same time it still carries carmakoma’s distinctive signature – the sensational contrasts, the many surprising details and the original effects – all produced in luxury qualities and specially cut for the fantastic shapes of the curvy body.

Carpe diem is about the self-reliant courage to jump at the chance when it presents itself. That is why carmakoma’s clothes are designed to feel comfortable in any situation.

“We put in a great effort to make the clothes support and promote the identity of the carmakoma woman in her stride forward, regardless whether she needs to bring out her soft charm or her hot, sexy energy. With easy styling she is always ready for an important meeting, an unplanned night on the town with her girl friends or a romantic surprise dinner with her sweetheart”, says the other half of carmakoma, Angelica Weiss.

The spirit of the new collection materializes in the bold style combination’s, the new exciting cuts and the different silhouettes and lengths. E.g. the innovative yarn mixing’s and new coated cotton qualities give a hot shiny look against the matte contrasts. The collection offers a taste of different universes, as small army details mix with delicate pearl embroideries and sexy business suit elements, while chains and studs intermingle with organic cuts and softly draped curvatures.

At carmakoma the burning passion of the designers radiates from the clothes. Every single style has undergone an uncompromising process of adapting cuts and details to ensure a completely perfect fit for the curvy woman size 14-24, for her to capture the world while proudly showing off her beautiful body.

Top 5 Picks of the Fall 2010 Season:

Style Alfabeat: the sexy blazer dress – the must have for this season !! To be used as the sexy dress to show of your curves. For the everyday use it as a sophisticated jacket styled with a big oversize scarf.

Style Spy: leather trimming is hot – and you can not be without a dress with leather details.

Style Lula: The sophisticated jacket with lots of details of Autumn and Winter.

Style Jingle: tube-scarf with chain details, great for every outfit and occasion.

Style VanGogh & Agyness: Every wardrobe must include - a sexy shirt and skirt.

Have you seen the Carmakoma lookbook by Madison Plus?

What is your critique of Carmakoma Fall 2010 looks?

“The day is here. Fashion knows no size & cool is determined by individual style & confidence.”

Lucie Lu
Head Designer

Inspiration for the Fall 2010 Season:

Hailing from the mid west where the arctic tundra climate will soon reign, it is the time of year when slipping into something warm & comfy while not compromising style is what’s most on my mind. I recognize that not everyone is faced with switching out their wardrobe to match the season, so the best, most resourceful universal answer is layering. Find pieces you’ll wear in many ways & many outfits. Be sure to mix these go to favorites with pieces custom to your personality. I’m also into the mix of girly girl meets tough girl in the same outfit, something that seems contradictory, yet works.

Top 5 Picks of the 2010 Season:

1. Tatum Dress
2. Dylan Dress
3. Knit Denim Leggings
4. Tranquil Tunic
5. Road Less Traveled Skirt

“I’ve noticed this season a real return to work staples and items that transcend trends or even season”…”In a tough economy like now, customers are looking for really “safe” items, pieces that can be worn all week long, and still appear pulled together and contemporary.”

Darren Trentacosta
Founder of TRENTACOSTA

Inspiration for the Fall 2010 Season:

This season at TRENTACOSTA we continue our trademark silhouette of tailored garments in superb fabrications. Crisp suiting and tops, along with a beautiful wool and cashmere car coat are ideal. Each garment works together as a wardrobe staple or can be broken apart and styled to your personal taste for a night out on the town!

Top 5 fashion picks of the season:

1. Tailored Fall Coat
2. Pintucked Knit Jersey Top

3. Short Sleeved Ruffle Top
4. Knit Draped Shrug

5. Cashmere Wool Stretch Pintuck Dress

What is your runway critique of the Darren Trentacosta line?

“Don’t be afraid to be glamorous. The rest of the world is wearing boring
jeans and T-shirts. Blah!”

Jasmine Elder
Head Designer for JIBRI

Inspiration for the Fall 2010 Season:

This collection is called “The Third Floor”. That’s the floor in Upscale Department stores that house the Women’s Designer Collections. It’s always been my favorite dreamland as a lover of fashion and a hopeful designer. This season I was inspired by the rich colors, textures, and diverse glamour from The Third Floor.

Top 5 Fashion Picks of the Season:

1. Graphic prints and accents

2. Subtle Sheer

3. Draping

4. Bold embellishments

5. Sexy Suits