Love this Dress

Plus size occasion wear has always been hard to find - until Curvety came along that is!

The cotton blossom dress is a new style by Igigi, which is available in the UK at Curvety.

I LOVE this style. The gorgeous print is perfect for almost any occasion, while the shape is really flattering on curves. The only thing to be careful of is wearing it too much!

Back By Popular Demand

This stunning evening dress by Igigi sold out very quickly when it went on sale earlier in the year. It is now back due to customer demand, but in VERY limited quantities so don't delay if it's the perfect dress for you!

The keyhole dress in magenta is available in sizes 16 to 34, and is a unique style that gives the wow factor of a halter neck but without the need for a strapless bra! The back features a key hole detail with button closure, while the empire waist is finished with pretty beading. The two tone layered fabric creates an irridescent effect while the plunging neckline and empire waist will make the most of a curvy figure. To finish it off there is a matching shrug included.

Fabulous Curvy Style

I am absolutely loving this new summery strapless dress that is available at Curvety.com.

This style is perfect for a summer wedding or some similar occasion which requires a knock em dead outfit. It comes in sizes 16 to 26 and features the most beautiful bold flower print in black and yellow. The tie waist will help create a gorgous hourglass silhouette, particularly effective on fuller figured women.

In the past I would have found the idea of a strapless dress a little daunting, but it is much less so now due to the increase in good quality strapless bras which are now made in larger sizes.

The Proposal

After 11 years together my partner finally proposed last week. After I had picked my jaw up from the floor, and spent numerous hours staring at my new sparkly diamond ring, my thoughts, as always, turned to fashion.

If anyone else is planning on getting married in the near future here are my first finds for the perfect plus size wedding dress.

The hot trend in wedding dresses this season seems to be shorter. Now this is a brave step for some, to shun the traditional floor length gown in favour of a mid length dress, but for me it's perfect. At only 5ft 2' I always feel more comfortable in a mid length dress which doesn't swamp me. Plus it gives me the chance to show off my legs which, as a standard apple shape, are my best feature. My favourite find so far is this shimmering halter dress, which comes with the most beautiful buckled shawl to cover upper arms.

If you prefer something more traditional then this Long beaded dress is absolutely stunning for a Spring/Summer wedding.

Both of the above styles are ideally suited to a more intimate affair but with the growing choice in formalwear in plus sizes there are many more structured gowns available. I will update you when I have a handful of favourites!

New Spring Styles in Plus Sizes

Wow, how gorgeous is this new lace dress available at Curvety.com. It is almost sold out already but I am assured it will be re stocked as soon as possible. They have added a number of other new styles this week, in sizes up to a 34. So it is definitely worth a fresh look, particularly at the dress section!

Favourite Oscars 2008 Fashion

The red carpet season continues with the 80th Annual Acadamy Awards ceremony last night in Hollywood. Although the whole night was a civlised (if not slightly dull) affair, with no major surprises, hiccups or the like - there was still some hot (and not so hot) fashion on the red carpet to contemplate.

Some of my personal favourites this year included Nicole Kidman in a gorgeous black Balenciaga dress & Heidi Klum who wore a show stopping bespoke red gown made by John Galliano. I was also a big fan of Jennifer Hudsons dress this year, a full length white beaded number by Roberto Cavalli, which showed her voluptuous figure at its best.

My favourite by far, however, was actress Kelly Preston. She appeared on the red carpet with husband John Travolta, wearing a gorgeous strapless Roberto Cavalli gown in deep yellow. The simple cut paired with the bold but very this season colour really make a statement.

In contrast, my worst outfit of the evening was worn by best actress winner - Marion Cotillard. The Jean Paul Gaultier mermaid-inspired gown will be a huge hit with some, but for me it was just all a bit over the top.

If you have your own special event planned and need to find a dress to impress in plus sizes try Curvety.com, who offer affordable red carpet chic in sizes 16 to 36.

Plus Size Must Have

With the increase of floaty chiffon on the catwalk and the popularity of sexy violet this season, I was excited to find this lovely number which is the perfect piece for any special events you have planned this Spring/Summer.

The Maya chiffon dress is available in sizes 16 to 36 and is sure to liven up your wardrobe!

Nikki Blonski chooses Igigi again

Nikki Blonsky has always been a bit of an Igigi fan and has worn several pieces from the IGIGI collections to her public appearances in the past, including the Hairspray premiere and the Marianna dress she wore at the 'Critics Choice Awards 08'.

The actress is next to appear in Igigi at the 14th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the end of January, but this time it will be in a couture dress. Custom designed by IGIGI Founder and Designer Yuliya Zeltser, Blonsky's gown is made of stretch charmeuse satin in a vibrant royal blue and comes with a ruched sweetheart neckline and a cascading hemline with a long trail.

IGIGI has done it again! Yuliya truly understands the details involved in designing elegant, sophisticated silhouettes that celebrate curves. I just love this design. It fits Nikki like a glove and the color is gorgeous! She is very excited to grace the red carpet in another one of IGIGI's original designs at the upcoming SAG awards.' Said Nicole Brewer, Wardrobe Stylist to Blonksy.

Igigi is available in the UK at Curvety.com.

LAST ORDERS FOR CHRISTMAS

It's really starting to feel like Christmas. And as normal that means I'm running around like mad as I've left everything to the last minute!

If you haven't quite finished your Christmas shopping then you'll be glad to hear that plus size clothing specialist Curvety.com can still deliver before Christmas. In fact, as long as you order before 2pm on Saturday the 22nd you will still get your items in time!! With the lovely choice of plus size clothes and accessories you are sure to find the perfect gift for a loved one - or maybe a new outfit for yourself for Christmas Day...

Plus Size Party Looks

The festive season is truly here & with it numerous parties, gatherings & events. I thought I would share my top 3 party outfits for the curvy plus size woman to celebrate this fab season in style.

House Parties - I love a good house party which is the perfect way to catch up with all of your friends & family and have a good natter, a few drinks, and a bit of a dance in a relaxed atmosphere. It is often a hard occasion to dress for as you need to get the right balance between smart & casual. For this year's house parties I will be wearing this jewelled charmeuse camisole in Autumn's hot colour block trend with jewelled neckline. Pair with favourite jeans and some fabulous shoe boots.

The Office Party - Your work party is the perfect chance to let your hair down with your colleagues and show them the 'real' you - outside of your work suit or uniform. I like to keep the look sophisticated, whilst suitably dazzling like this layered dress in chocolate which is sure to wow the bosses - roll on promotion!

Dinner Date - Every year a large group of us visit a local restaurant for a civilised evening, chatting, eating and sipping wine. As always, I love an excuse to dress up but getting it right is important. This year I will be wearing this smart & on trend cashmere satin jewelled dress with matching jacket. By pairing the dress with opaque tights and the cropped jacket with long gloves you will ensure that your entire outfit is this season's hottest look.

Spring/Summer 08 Colour Style

It's time for some early peaks at what is expected to be hot for Spring/Summer 08. Get a head start so you can get some Christmas requests in that will guarantee you are the best dressed in 2008.

High fashion rails will boast a luscious mix of bright cartoon like colours with fuchsia and coral being top choices. Floral prints were everywhere on the catwalk, including collections from Stella McCartney, Dries Van Noten, Roberto Cavalli and Dolce & Gabbana. Nude and pastel shades will offer the coming season an alluring sophistication for the less flamboyant. And finally - to add some glitz - there was much use of gold, from small accents and detailing to full on shimmering sensation.

The best thing about spring/summer 2008's strongest colours is they look great worn all together or one by one. There was a time when following fashion when a plus size was nigh on impossible. Thankfully times have changed and now the choice in larger sizes is much improved. I particularly like this tie waist evening dress which is the perfect colour pallet for the coming season - and it goes up to a size 36.

Belle of the Ball

The party season is approaching fast and I am in desperate need of some new dresses for a number of black tie events I have coming up, which is why I was so pleased to see some new styles at Curvety.com.

The style pictured comes in 3 different colours - navy, black and the gold pictured, and is very reasonably priced. It is also unique and really flattering with its overlay which is a nice change when lookng for plus size outfits to wow. There is no reason why you can't be curvy AND the belle of the ball!

Igigi features at BET Awards

Two plus-size models dressed in the IGIGI Crown Jewels Velvet Gown in Onyx will escort host Kat Williams in the opening act at BET (Black Entertainment Television, a tribute to urban music artists at the top of their game. They have once again chosen to use dresses made by the fashion house in a performance at the 2007 Hip Hop Awards. Actress Mo’Nique and accompanying dancers had previously worn Shimmering Dress in Silver by IGIGI in the opening act of BET Awards in June 2007.

Yuliya Zeltser, IGIGI Founder and Designer has said “I am thrilled that yet another IGIGI gown makes it on BET in less than six months. Stylist Katja Dandri of Dandri Design chose to work with us again based on the feedback she got on the design and quality of the dresses from the previous BET Awards show.”

The crown velvet gown is an original IGIGI design in velvet adorned by sparkly, elegant rhinestones. It is available to buy in the UK at Curvety.com.

New Curvety Own Label Brand

Curvety.com, a UK based plus size clothing specialist, has started developing its own label. You can now purchase from their Curvety branded line of evening and day dresses in UK sizes 18 to 36.

Curvety.com have always sold fab plus size clothing on behalf of worldwide deigners such as Igigi and Kiyonna. These lines are still available but over the coming months Curvety plans to add more and more of their own styles in sizes made exclusively for the UK public. There is a severe lack of UK brands catering for a size 32 or over so this is a welcome development.

Fave Evening Dress for Plus Sizes

My favourite evening dress is back in the shops just in time for the party season.

The Satin Dreams Gown is designed by US plus size clothing specialist Igigi, but is available in the UK at Curvety.com.

It is a truly fabulous dress for the fuller figure, with heavy drapey stretch satin material and a matching shawl to cover upper arms or other troublesome areas. The fit is perfect and really flattering. Whenever I wear it I feel amazing.

I'm not the only fan - Lakisha was featured wearing this dress on American Idol last year in a different colour. Plus it has had a number of mentions in magazines across the US. If you have a special night planned in the near future then don't miss out as every time i've seen this style in stock it soon sells out!

Valentino Retires

It was announced on Tuesday that the legendary Italian designer Valentino will retire after two final collections for October and January.

The 75-year-old couturier has dressed the world's most glamorous women for decades & in July celebrated 45 years in the business. He is known for his trademark scarlett dresses, a look which can be replicated in plus sizes at Curvety.com'

It's the perfect moment to say adieu to the world of fashion,' Valentino said in a statement, adding that he would present his last ready-to-wear collection in Paris in October and a final haute couture line in January. 'Even as a young boy, my passion was to design, and I have been very lucky to be able to do what I have loved all my life. There can be few greater gifts than that,' he said.

'I am especially grateful that I have been able to keep my own style over the decades, in spite of the many changes that have taken place in the world of fashion and in its business.'

The fashion house have today announced that Alessandra Facchinetti has been appointed to design all the women's wear lines for Valentino after his retirement. 'Alessandra Facchinetti is the designer who can interpret and continue the legacy of Valentino's core values at their best. We know we can also capitalize on her significant experience in designing for some of the most important and successful fashion companies where she acquired a great expertise,' the chief executive officer of Valentino Fashion Group said. Facchinetti, 35, said she was 'honoured to be part of this new project. Mr Valentino has always been a point of reference for me, an icon for his style and elegance.'

Purple for Plus Sizes

Each season has its colour and this Autumn/Winter it is purple that reigns supreme. From lavender to violet, lilac to plum. It doesn't matter if it is vibrant or subtle as long as it suits.

Purple is a brave and bold colour which I love but has the potential to be a fashion nightmare for some. Make sure you select a shade that matches your skin tone. And use as an accent rather than all over colour if you aren't comfortable being so bold.

This fab wrap dress from Curvety.com is perfect for fuller figured ladies who are a size 22 to 36. Not only is it the best colour for the season but the tie waist detail is also very on trend and the material is to die for.

AUTUMN O7 THE EVENT DRESS

According to Vogue one of this season's hottest trends is the good old evening dress. There's a sultry glamour to these sumptuous floor-length gowns which will make this year's party season all the more fun.

From pistachio silk to lipstick-pink chiffon, colour gives extra dazzle and infuses another top trend - bold colours. Elbow-length gloves add to the drama but short gloves are the bang-up-to-date option. Be sure not to go mad with the jewellery though or you may over do it.

For those who don't like to show too much flesh on the upper arms, a wonderful wrap or shrug will finish the look in style.

There has always been a limited choice for plus size women when it comes to eveningwear but Curvety.com always have a wonderful selection in large sizes as they specialise in evening dresses which are cut well to fit the larger frame.

Plus Size Fashion on the Red Carpet

By now i'm sure you will all have heard of Nikki Blonsky, the talented new star of Hairspray and newest plus size celebrity.

Nikki was spotted in London earlier in the year in one of Igigi's fabulous plus size designs. For the LA premiere of Hairspray she has gone one step further and had an Igigi couture dress made especially for her! Based on the Shimmering dress in Copper which is available in the UK from Curvety.com, she has had the style adapted to suit her shorter frame.

Nikkie says: 'I wanted to wear something beautiful that shows off my curves in a classy and glamorous way'.

I think Nikki looks fab and shows that curvier women can look stunning for that special evening event. Take note and make no excuses next time you have a reason to dress up!

Autumn 07 Cinched Waist

The new Autumn/Winter lines are starting to hit the shops and there is much talk of the new season trends. I will be looking at these over the coming weeks but thought I would start the ball rolling with THE hot look - the cinched waist.

The stores will be filled with midi length dresses with waist belts plus tie waisted tops, jackets and coats. You can create this look yourself with the right belt. Belts are not always the easiest plus size accessory to find but there is a great selection at Curvety.com in sizes up to a 36.

This can be a great look for the more voluptuous amoung us, as maximising & accentuating your curves is the aim - time to celebrate those hips and bum! Choose a good quality material which is forgiving over lumps and bumps and use a fairly sturdy (not too thin as this will widen your waist) belt to cinch tight and you will have the perfect Forties hour glass figure. Size zero's will not stand a chance at matching your style with this look.