Simply Be interviews Anna Scholz – the legendary plus size fashion designer!
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Oooh, we’ve got a treat for you today ladies! We just caught up with one of our favourite Simply Be designer – Anna Scholz! She kindly answered some of our burning questions, so we’ve put them all down on paper (and the blog) for you to see! Enjoy!
Where do you get your inspiration from when you begin to design a collection?
You can find inspiration in everything, a stamp, a cushion, a painting, on your travels… wherever. Last week flying back from Berlin I thought about doing a ‘cityscape by night’ print in my next collection…my mind is constantly busy and my eyes always open. My favourite place is Portobello market where I love hunting for vintage finds.
What is your main consideration when designing an item of clothing?
That it is going to be flattering for the woman who is going to wear it. I love accentuating curves.
What do you love most about fashion design?
Print and colour! I love experimenting with new colours and shapes, discovering new favourites in my wardrobe and making things clash… I love how you can reflect your mood with your outfit. I love making women feel better about themselves.
What is it about working with Simply Be that you enjoy the most?
That there are very few restrictions; my wholesale buyers are a lot more conservative than my Simply Be buyers. Our Simply Be customer is not afraid to show a bit of flesh and loves dressing up. We sell halternecks, strapless and low cut dresses and Simply Be can always offer the matching lingerie.
You’ve sold ranges both in the US and in Europe. Are attitudes towards fuller-figured women diffferent across the two continents?
I actually think that the Europeans are a lot more directional and fashion forward than the Americans. The US plus size market is dominated by large chains who are more afraid to take risks. There is however a huge responsive online plus community in the US who is pushing for change.
Do you think that attitudes are changing?
Yes I do! It is a slow proces, but there has been a shift in the media in the last year and curvy women have been included in many more high end publications. Vogue Italia has launched Vogue Curvy online and US Marie Claire have a curvy blogger. Models like Crystal Renn, Lizzie Miller and Ashley Graham are breaking down barriers of glossy publications. Just check out our http://blog.annascholz.com/ for constant updates.
Whilst you were studying fashion you also worked as a plus size model – how did you find this? Are there any experiences you would like to share?
It was a great way to get an insight into this part of the industry and also to be able to earn a living while studying in expensive London. I was extremely frustrated by the lack of stylish clothing I was made to model (I modelled from 1988-1995 and the collections available then were a far cry from what they are today) and kept constantly thinking that I could do this better… I made a few great contacts and the whole experience reinforced my decision to set up my own label.
There’s a wonderful ‘curvy community’ of bloggers and tweeters online – what are your favourite blogs and who do you follow on Twitter?
Social media is hugely important for our market and there are too many great ones to name. We blog, tweet and facebook daily! My favourites are our own blog of course, Madison Plus and Vogue Curvy Italia, and you can follow me on Twitter Anna_Scholz or join our Facebook Fan page Anna Scholz Fashion.
Are there any words of wisdom you’d like to share with aspiring plus size fashion designers or aspiring plus size models?
Believe in yourself and follow your dream. Bring it on, competition is healthy and we need more diversity
Something exciting…
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Simply Be HQ is a-buzz with activity today. You see, we’ve got a very special event coming up in the next few weeks and we can’t wait to announce it! For now, our lips are sealed… but you can rest assured that it’s going to be fashion-fuelled and super exciting!
And of course, you’re going to be right there at the heart of it – because we wouldn’t dream of leaving you out. In fact, you’re going to be the star of the show…
Anyway, all will become clear on 5th July 2010! So make sure you’re the first to hear by ‘liking’ us on Facebook, following us on Twitter and adding us to your RSS – and be the first to know when we finally announce this exciting new event!
Simply Be at Full Figured Fashion Week!
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The biggest event in the plus size fashion calendar has just taken place – and though we weren’t there in person, we were there in spirit!
Yep, Full Figured Fashion Week (affectionately known as FFF week) rocked the fashion world last week! Curvy models strutted down the catwalks in designer looks, the fatshion-shere went crazy as bloggers met for a week of fashion parties and we took inspiration from the fabulously eclectic choice of outfits on display from models, bloggers and designers alike!
And imagine our excitement when we saw that one of our favourite fashion bloggers was sporting our very own Ruby Rocks jumpsuit! Yep, Marie Denee of The Curvy Fashionista made the on-trend all-in-one her second day outfit – and we must say, she looks gorgeous!
We first saw Marie wearing the outfit on Facebook! Christina from Musings of a Fatshionista posted it to her page – and she’s kindly let us use the photo here, so you can see this fabulous look in its full glory! That’s Marie at the front and Christina at the centre-back – it goes without saying that she looks gorgeous too!
And you can see even more photos of Marie’s look on her latest blog post – Full Figured Fashion Week – Look of the Day: Simply Be UK!
Oh, one last thing. If you want to get that gorgeous Ruby Rocks jumpsuit for yourself, you’ll have to be quick because it’s selling out fast!
Win a Fabulous dress worth £35!
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One lucky girl’s going to win this amazing Longline Halterneck Tunic from our Limited Edition Collection. It’s worth £35, the neckline and front panels adorned with shiny sequins, and that asymmetric hemline’s simply a summer seasons must-do! By itself for nights out, or dress it down with jeans or leggings – either way it’s simply gorgeous. And get that colour!!!
See the video online at the Simply Be Website.
The competition’s open now and all entries have to be in by 5pm Monday 14th June! It’s only open to residents of the UK and the Republic of Ireland – but we hope to have some US competitions ready when we hit the states in July!
ENTER NOW!
To be in with a chance to win, Just complete the following in no more than 50 words on the Simply Be blog, Twitter or Facebook!
It has to Simply Be this dress because…
Comment on the Simply Be Blog
Fill in your details and leave us a comment!
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Find @SimplyBeUK on Twitter, follow us and use the tag #LOVESB
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Maxi-mum Sex in the City Impact!
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Just look at that! The Sex & the City girls rocking maxi dresses on the red carpet. Oh we’ve always loved this long-skirted style… they’re flattering, sophisticated and every shade of chic… and the proof is in the celebrities it would seem, because everyone knows the S&TC girls are the most stylish girls in town!
So, how can you make the maxi dress a style staple? Simple head on over to the Simply Be website, choose one of gorgeous plus-size styles and start experimenting. If you’ve seen the film, you know how kooky style can get and there really are no taboos this season – even denim on denim is in. So have fun and be yourself – it’s easy with a flattering plus-size fit!