I’m not cool enough for Fashion Week II…

Yes, Fashion Week was last week! And I’m still not cool enough…

However, instead of just raising my eyebrow at questionable choices, I’m choosing to celebrate that the first ever plus-size fashion show was seen during fashion week this year!!! Even if they weren’t invited to participate in the main event!!! Even if they set-up their show on the sidelines!!!  Yay to equality!!!

The fashion show was sponsored by One Stop Plus. For those of you too thin to shop there, it’s where you can (in one stop) get all sorts of plus-size clothes like this hideous tunic from Avenue…

OMG Ugly

Or this god-awful denim ruffle skirt…

Why would you do this to someone?

Admittedly, with some digging you can find some cute clothes, so yes, I’m just being a wee bit ornery.

On the flip side, the Plus-Size Fashion Show wasn’t nearly as eye-catching. No one talked about it’s artistry.  No one said, “Lane Bryant outdid itself with it’s airy, but bold choice of ruffles and color. Film Noir influenced and interpreted for Fall.”

Yeah, no one said that.

That’s because because it was more like a prêt-à-porter mall fashion show done at a more expensive location and prettier models.  There was no artistry. There were no outfits that made you sigh.  It was done because it was far past time, but I honestly think I could have pulled the clothes for this event, and that isn’t what I want to see during fashion week.

For an event that happened Wednesday (9/15), pictures weren’t available until Friday (9/17).  I think the organizers probably knew it was lacking as well. It could be because it didn’t just showcase one designer. It could be because you can find the outfits on the website. Or it could be that the media was so focused on the fact that there was a plus-size fashion show it didn’t matter to them whether there was good fashion or round chicks in gunny sacks and Payless heels. This year, it was a big damn deal that we were represented. Hey, it’s a good first step. Next year, let’s try taking a leap.

Regardless, I’ve gone through many of the other show pics and have decided what I would like to showcase in this blog entry are those fashions (the ones that got oooh and aaahhed over this week) that I think COULD be plus-size outfits with the right tweaking. And I’ve been a chunky all my life. And I’m a chunky that doesn’t wear clothes that are too tight or cling, so I don’t think I’m living a dream.

Ok. We couldn’t wear ANY of this.

When did pants go out of style?

Because I am the type of person who should always wear pants.

In my selections I used the following parameters:

1) The line of the outfit and how I imagined it across my own body (with its many, many flaws). I did not choose items that just had tons of fabric. No plus size woman wants to wear a muu muu no matter how expensive or colorful the material.

2) Minimal tweaking to adapt the outfit for larger bodies

3) Color, beauty and practicality – something you could wear on the street, but was still artistic and spunky or beautiful. Something you’d get excited about being seen in.

Also, as a side note, when I say “body displacement” I am speaking of what a larger woman’s body does when she sits. The weight distributes itself differently with every woman (and not only larger women suffer from it). It’s one reason I don’t like to be photographed seated.**

I am aware every plus-size woman, well, every woman for that matter, would not be able to wear all of these dresses. I’ve used my best judgement, keeping in mind that we all have our assets and limitations.

So here we go! My choices for the best of the runway that COULD BE PLUS-SIZE FASHION!

Starting with:

Marc Jacobs announced that he would be designing a plus-size line, becoming the FIRST top designer to do so!  A round of applause for Mr. Jacobs.  I wholeheartedly hope that when he designs for us, he treats us as he would thinner women by designing wonderful garments for us like these…

I know some people will argue that if you change ANYTHING about a dress you bastardize the designer’s artistry.  But if I were a famous, rich person would the designer make changes to better suit me? If I said, “Marc, ADORE that brown and pink halter dress but my upper thigh is not where I want it to be. Could you close the slit a little for me. Oh yes, here’s a $1,000.” Do you think he would say, “NO! My ARTISTRY!”

I do believe designers are artists, just as I believe chefs, musicians, actors, painters, etc., are all artists.  I’ve been reading articles about how designers don’t want to design for the plus-size body because it’s too difficult.  In my art form, we look for challenges. I want the next role that will make me see and experience the world differently. I mean, why shy away from a challenge?

Next year, I’m looking for the awesome…