Youtheary Khmer

Full Figured Fashion Week just wrapped in New York City and the event is growing fiercer every year. Of course the most anticipated part of the plus-size fashion fest is the shows and this year there was plenty to see, with one runway event showcasing well-known retail names and a second one highlighting independent designers.

Plus Size Events 2012

Full Figured Fashion Week

The typical labels like Lane Bryant, Ashley Stewart and title sponsor Sonsi dominated the retailers night. The indie and boutique showings were a breath of fresh air, boasting newcomer or lesser-known brands like Curvato, 17 Sundays, SK Wilbur, Jibri, Ashley Nell Tipton, Eyani Couture, Evie Foster and Youtheary Khmer. Any curvy girl will tell you that one of her biggest gripes is choice, or lack thereof. For example, an average department store carries over 900 ‘straight’ size (i.e. up to size 14) brands while it may carry only twenty plus-size brands*. This is why it’s so exciting simply to watch new options unfold on the runway before our eyes.

Audience reactions proved: the curvy girl wants edge, wants uniqueness, wants quality, wants creativity and wants freshness, not just another jersey knit dress.

Better still, there was a real sense of Fashion in many of the indie and boutique looks that didn’t permeate the more traditional brands. Like the prepster blazer and ballet skirt combos of Youtheary Khmer that felt more than a little Rochas or Dior oozing the flowy, flirty sensibility of a strong girlie-girl. 17 Sundays’ boho cool prints and irridescent khaki skinnies screamed Isabel Marant while the embellished short-cut jackets had a definite Balmain inspiration.

The finale look of Eyani Couture had a certain Galliano ‘je ne sais quoi’ with a column skirt of multi-colored feathers capped by a crystalline and satin bodice. Evie Foster’s delicate sequined evening frocks bring to mind Elie Saab but with just a hint of off-the-red-carpet rebellion. Now these are fashion-forward creations that just happen to be walked by bigger girls.

There was risk, adventure, chic, sex appeal and oomph in many of the indie presentations. And if there were any doubt, audience reactions proved: the curvy girl wants edge, wants uniqueness, wants quality, wants creativity and wants freshness, not just another jersey knit dress. Some girls may lean more sexy vixen, some lean more classic conservative and others are more hipster cool.

No matter the style, all plus-size fashion lovers really want is – gasp – Fashion! Bring a curated Fashion experience and not just safe clothes in bigger sizes and that experience will thrill – and sell. The new talents discovered during FFFW lend confidence that the future of plus-size Fashion is bright indeed.

Sources/Photo Credits:

*”Fashion’s Invisible Woman” Los Angeles Times, March 1, 2009, http://articles.latimes.com/2009/mar/01/image/ig-size1, www.Youthearykhmer.com