Big Girls Are Beautiful, Too!

Okay, so this Friday past I posted my personal views (How You Like Her Now?) about Jennifer Hudson's drastic weight loss.  Many of you who follow the blog on Facebook weighed in with very insightful observations and strong opinions.  Some of you agreed with me while others believe that secretly many women who are a size 14 or more would trade in their curves to live their lives as skinny J-Hud clones.

Amber Riley

Amber Riley

I cannot begin to fully comprehend all the pressures that women face on the daily to fit into our narrow ideas of beauty.  Once upon a time, only fair-skinned women were considered beautiful.  And then our tastes evolved and now we consider women of darker hues just as comely.  And a long time ago, back in the 16th century, a vanguard Flemish artist  created THE standard of feminine beauty when he painted portraits of women who were plump and attractive. His name was Peter Paul Rubens.  And the term rubenesque was born.

I love women who are small, medium, or large.  I love women of all ethnicities.  And I love women who are confident and have a healthy sense of humor. But right now I am most concerned about full-figured women who aren't always validated as beautiful, sexy, and intelligent beings.  So I've presented images of some of my favorite glamorous celebrities who really seem to embrace their curves.  Without remorse.

Peace & Fashion!

Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah

Recording Artist - Adele

Ashley Fink



Amber Riley







Peter Paul Rubens - The Three Graces

How You Like Her Now?

Jennifer Hudson is on the cover of the latest issue of Essence magazine.  In fact, as of late, it has been difficult to overlook the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and Academy Award winning actress and Grammy Award winning singer since she became the latest celebrity spokesperson for Weight Watchers.  J-Hud's svelte new figure is featured prominently in print ads and can be seen gracing billboards all over New York City. Her commercials for the weight loss brand are in heavy rotation on network television and last month she discussed her dramatic weight loss (80 lbs.!) during an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show.  But there is something that I find disturbing about all this attention being paid to her now size 6 frame.

I remember first catching a glimpse of Jennifer on American Idol.  I thought she was beautiful and talented.  Unabashed by her robust figure, when she performed she commanded the attention of her audience.  And she seemed to own her killer curves.  She was dismissed from the competition too soon, in my opinion, but shortly thereafter she resurfaced as a movie star winning acclaim for her role as Effie White in the film "Dreamgirls".  Each time she graced the red carpet, people took note that she was a beautiful, curvy girl who was stylish, graceful, and gave a lot of fashion fabulosity.

But now it appears that Jennifer has become just another pawn in the celebrity game who has bought into Hollywood's conventional definition of beauty.  It was revealed that she needed to shed weight in order to portray Winnie Mandela in a yet-to-be released film.  Since she gained weight and won an Oscar, I thought losing weight might bring her the same acclaim.  But then she continued with the program, her waist whittled down several inches, the evidence of its former girth only believable because of old photos circulating the Internet.  While no one wants to be considered fat, I do feel that the celebration of Jennifer's transformation is a slap in the face of every curvy woman who struggles with self-esteem and image issues.  We hold women, in particular, to a higher standard without considering the ramifications of all our judgements. Don't get me wrong, I applaud Jennifer's dedication to her weight loss program and exercise regimen, but she was just as lovely when she was a size 16.  My wish is that we are more accepting of ourselves and others who may look less-than-perfect from the outside.  Because beauty flows from within, no matter what the scale says.

Peace & Fashion!

I Don't Fit Into Your Box

It's business as usual as I plug on with my plan for fashion world domination.  With love and respect to all the big girls, my focus is to elegantly demonstrate that beauty is not about a size.  Because I have seen ugly in a size 2.  But I've also seen it all the way up to a 22.  Really.  Wilbur is more about tapping into the sexier, more confident, more fabulous side of the size 14 or higher set.  Since I've been casting for the photo shoot and our big event in September, I've met a dozen or so models who do not fit into society's narrow definition of beauty.  And these women have been gorgeous on the inside and out.  I know I've heard people, especially women, on more than one occasion say, "Oh, she has such a pretty face. . ."  And I am just sitting there waiting for them to finish the sentence with ". . .but her body is a HOT mess."  I am not condemning anyone because I may have shared the same thought at times myself.  But it's time for us to change our perception.  The model industry has celebrated all kinds of quirky and gawky looking women and elevated their flaws to celebrity status.  Remember Lauren Hutton's famous gap-toothed smile or the odd looking Penelope Tree.  Why haven't they pushed for a beauty who is the same size as the average woman?  Sure there is Emme, but how about all the other curvy cuties who exist?  And it seems like the extremely thin ones are being manufactured conveyor belt style at some plant on Venus.

My sister recently gave me a book to read called Such A Pretty Fat. It's a hilarious look at a big girl's battle with the bulge.  In the end, the heroine doesn't downsize to skinny girl status, ala Jennifer Hudson, but she becomes a healthier, more fit big girl.  Although the focus is dieting, anyone who has ever struggled to reach a goal can identify with the story.  And I think it just challenges us to see the humanity in everybody.  And that's something I can get behind.  My sister, Ashanti, had the opportunity to meet the author, Jen Lancaster, when she was in New York promoting her latest published tale and she told me that she is just as animated and entertaining in person.  Someone who is talented and has the ability to make me laugh who is also quite pretty sounds like the complete package to me.  So now, Jen Lancaster has become my girl crush.

I've gotta go, but I will be back soon.  And if you pick up Jen Lancaster's book, holla back and let me know what you think.  I guarantee it will have you in stitches.

Peace & Fashion!

An Offer I Can Refuse

On this Sunday past, I received an email from A.J., a fashion blogger and writer. She was interested in featuring pieces from my spring collection in a story for an online magazine called Liberating Style. I was flattered. I perused her blog and the webzine to make sure it was a quality publication that I would want to be associated with. It was well done. And besides, I thought it would also increase my audience. So I responded. I needed to know readership and hits and what she wanted from me. She requested the look book and provided the site's stats that I asked for. I promptly emailed the look book to her. When she wrote back she explained that the editors had scrapped the idea of the story for Liberating Style and told me that they would run photos from the look book with style descriptions. But she did offer me a consolation prize of being featured on another site she wrote for. Although I was disappointed, I thought, "Why not?!" And after speaking to Ashanti, I was convinced. A.J. told me that all she needed now were a couple of my samples. After all, they could not recommend a designer without first seeing the workmanship and construction of the garments. In closing, she said that they had no policy with regards to returning the samples. I then explained to her in the following email that although they had no policy with returning samples, the way it was going to work was that we would charge her for the shipping & handling and the samples and once she returns them in pristine condition, we would be able to credit her for the samples. She then wrote back saying that since her company does not require payment for featuring designs like print magazines do, they then require that they get to keep all samples at no charge. She also implied that because they have a wide audience I should be fine with giving my dresses away for free. I was really quite outdone by her boldness and obvious entitlement and I had to spell things out for her. Below is my final response.

I am well aware of the influence of webzines as well as print media as I have been featured many times in both mediums. And because of my vast experience over the last 11 years in the fashion business, I am a little troubled by your policy. Perhaps I should explain that it takes a substantial amount of capital and hard work to bring my designs to life. A great deal of detail goes into the selection of fabrics, trim, and construction and I am not in the practice of giving my gifts away for free. When you approached me first about the feature in Liberating Style I was very flattered indeed, as I did state this in my reply. But then you told me that you would only be using the images I sent you with detailed descriptions of each style and not featuring me in an editorial capacity as you first had stipulated. Although I was a little disappointed, I assumed you did not find my pieces edgy enough for editorial. And you did offer to write a piece about me on the Models & Moguls site as somewhat of a consolation. And now it seems that you want me to send you my dresses for free? What is the guarantee that you will even write something favorable about me once you receive them? Did all the designers that you feature on the site, such as Prabal Gurung, send you samples from their lines for you to keep? Something sounds fishy with this arrangement. So, unfortunately, I am going to have to decline your offer. But when I show during NY Fashion Week in September, I'd love for you to come as my guest. You will then get a bird's eye view of how well the dresses are constructed and that they also fit to a t.

Selling my soul to the devil was never part of my business plan when I started on this career path. And this devil wasn't even camouflaged in an A-list publication like Vogue. I have sacrificed way too much to get to this point. And I need to honor my dream and all the hard work and money I've put into it. Not give it away.

Peace & Fashion!

Hold up, Santa!

The end of 2009 is fast approaching and I am racing against the clock to complete the collection for Fall 2010. As it stands now, I still have only one look finished. But George, my tailor, is hard at work on two more and I've discussed the details of another. Between the holidays and good cheer, there aren't many working days left to crack the proverbial whip. Just start referring to me as Ebenezer for the next few weeks. But don't get it twisted fashionistas, I am just as jolly as that fabled fat man in the fur trimmed red velvet suit. But since I am desperately trying to make a deadline, I've got to reduce my season's greeting from "Ho, Ho, Ho!" to "HO!" Last night, Ila, George, and I were up to our ears in adjustments for the second sample of my No One Gets The Prize style. Check out the photo to the left. Reflecting on the design, I'd say it has a Victor/Victoria flavor to it - a woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman. A little confusing to be sure, but when it's done I think you'll be dazzled.

In between Christmas prep, collection prep, and eating way too much Thanksgiving turkey, my family and I took a trip to the local multiplex to check out the movie Precious. I'd read the book, Push by Sapphire on which the film is based, years ago and was blown away by its grittiness, so I was really looking forward to quite a cinematic experience. And of course, it didn't hurt that all the reviews of the movie and the performances were positive. The movie did not disappoint. It's not a story for the faint hearted, but it is an outstanding piece. Mo'Nique's portrayal of an abusive monster for a mother is definitely Oscar worthy. But it is newcomer, Gabourey Sidibe in the lead role that really made me take notice. She is the heart and soul of Precious and carries the film with the unexpected deftness of a seasoned thespian. I was so moved that I've decided that I've got to dress her for the upcoming awards season. So with my small fashion company that can be compared to the the little engine that could, I called the movie studio, Lionsgate, to obtain her contact info. My sister and business partner in crime, Ashanti, crafted a fine email that included images of my work as well as the sketches that I conceived with Miss Sidibe in mind and forwarded it to her management. Miss Sidibe plays an underdog and that's the element of the story that I really identify with. Please keep your fingers crossed for me.

My request for donations continues. Please click on the donate button on the right side of this blog screen and help this struggling designer out today. So far, I've raised $335. And I am so grateful, but I really could use a lot more help. And your kindness will definitely be appreciated. I might just be desperate enough to sit on Santa's lap and give him my list of samples that I want to find under my tree on Christmas morning. It may not be the most stylish thing I've ever done, but desperate times call for desperate measures. And although I have been known to be naughty, I've mostly been nice this year.

Peace & Fashion!

The Juggling Act

Last night I had a meeting with the pastor of my church. No, I was not having a spiritual crisis. Several months ago, I had been asked by one of the members, who is affectionately referred to as Mama Brown, to assist her with a fashion show for the church. In the black community, church fashion shows are a common way to raise money for the ministry. And they are usually, how can I put this delicately, very CHEESY. In fact, when I became a member of Mount Moriah almost 3 years ago, I declared to my mother that under no uncertain terms would I ever be involved with a fashion show at the church. What if it had been discovered by the fashion elite that I was entangled in a church fashion show? This kind of felony would appear on my record for the rest of my life! Yet, last night there I was face-to-face with my pastor, Mama Brown, and one of the other members of the clergy to nail down details for our November 21 fashion extravaganza. I just find it funny how the universe will set you on a path that you've already decided is not right for you. And you've just got to surrender and learn the lesson that comes with it. But now I am wondering how I am going to find the energy and time and emotional fortitude to take on another project.

Ashanti, Serosh, and I (The 3 Musketeers of Fashion) have been brainstorming on how we are going to move into the next phase of our plan with hiring an independent sales rep and finding a space to have appointments with buyers. Ashanti suggested our old reliable, craigslist, as a possible resource for locating a sales rep. Since nothing beats a failure but a try, we went for it. And I still find it amazing how some people will apply for a job without dotting their Is or crossing their Ts. Our posting reads:

Looking for independent fashion sales representative to sell a line of cocktail dresses. This position is commission only. Must have strong relationships with specialty stores. If you're interested, please contact Wilbur at 917.520.4615

This was one of the responses that was emailed to us:

Have 25 years in evenwear dresses, us too own( after dark). if you are looking for a pro please feel free to cll me.Will not work commission Only.

That's just all wrong! So we keep pressing forward. Serosh has reached out to some of his associates who have been in sales and I've tried reaching out to mine. And we even got a bite from someone who sounds interesting. But we have not met with any candidates just yet. But time marches on and we need to have someone in place for market week next month when all the buyers descend on New York to look at what's new and has value for their stores. So as I field responses to our posting and begin work on my first stab at the world of church fashion shows and strive to remain positive about the possibilities of this inaugural collection, I realize that in this juggling act I've got to keep all my plates in the air. I cannot let one drop and shatter to pieces.

Peace & Fashion!