On a breezy sunny afternoon up the the block from the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week tents, fashion history was being made. Online plus size mall One Stop Plus set out to conquer an industry that shuns anyone with a little meat on their bones. They have dared to do the unthinkable, put together the first plus size fashion show at NYC Fashion Week.
As I raced up the steps from the 59th street train station, my heart was pounding with excitement and all kinds of thoughts were racing through my head. Who's going to be here, are the clothes going to be nice, will this show change the industry? Once I arrived at the Jazz center the place was packed with celebrities from oscar nominated actress Gabourey Sidibe to ABC Family "Huge" star Nikki Blonsky. As everyone sipped champagne and chatted about their expectations and hopes for the show, all the guest were alerted that the show was about to start in 5 minutes. Once we took our seats and the lights dimmed, all you could see was the light shining on beautiful bodacious bodies like they were angels from above.
The S/S 2011 collection was named "Belle Epoque" which is acknowledged as "The Golden Age." One Stop Plus believes that Belle Epoque perfectly captures this new golden age of plus size. "It was the era when fashion began to move in a yearly cycle, perfect for One Stop Plus.com's first fashion show"
The collection was made up of five themes, Artisan Drape, Acquatica Lace, Ethereal Denim, Cargo Femme, and Guilded shine. There was a conglomeration of asymmetrical draped and ruffled dresses, cruise shorts, maxi skirts, and cargo style jackets. Any fashion loving curvy girl could appreciate the collection for its play on classic yet simplistic designs as well as the color combinations. Lace, sheer, and silk seemed to be the prevalent fabrics within the collection. They even sent a few models down the runway in cuffed cargo style shorts and mini dresses. The models were on fire as they sashayed down the runway twisting and turning and giving their best face. Toccara Jones a crowd pleaser looked fierce as she twirled on the runway. Model Marquita Pring was giving legs for days in a draped aquatic lace dress and Ashley Graham looked pretty and sweet in a baby doll lace dress.
What the collection did lack was that raw and unique edginess that plus size women envy from designers like Alexander McQueen, Zac Posen, and Rodarte. However, what the One Stop Plus fashion show did articulate was that a plus size woman can look sexy, sophisticated, and possess confidence in not only her body but in who she is as a woman.
Now, what does this show mean for the future of plus size fashion? That, I cannot answer yet. What I hope is that this show opens up the minds and wallets of the fashion industry nay sayer's to become financial backers for other great plus size designers so next year there can be more than just one plus size fashion show at fashion week. I also hope that it brings more professional work for known and unknown plus size models.
Thanks to One Stop Plus.com for taking the time, effort, and hard work to represent for the girls with a little meat on their bones.
Checkout the collection for yourself.
Artisan Drape
Acquatic Lace
Ethereal Denim
Cargo Femme
Guilded Shine
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