Thursday, March 19, 2009

Fashion Week: The Year of Plus Size?

Well, I know that this was supposed to be up a few days ago, but better late than never, right friends?

Okay, Toronto Fashion Week, it's here and it's in your face! You really can't miss the big white tents staked out at Nathan Phillips Square, there's even a red carpet to go with them. Stylish. As Fashion Week celebrates its tenth year, somebody else who was celebrating a big birthday opened the show: BARBIE. Well, okay, not the real Barbie, I'm sure she was just too busy to attend (being 50 and all), but David Dixon's new line was the opener this year and it was like watching a retrospect of Barbie's trademark fashion walk down the runway (there was even some Ken action in there).



The interesting thing about David Dixon being chosen to open the show this year is that he designs for "real women", meaning that his sizes don't stop at a 10 and he actually thinks about this when he designs. This got me thinking, is there anyone else out there, rocking the plus size fashion scene?

On Tuesday night the Alli team was invited by Linda Lundstrom and Eleventh Floor Apparel to attend her show (her first showing at fashion week since the 80's she says). I was surprised at how Linda has been able to overcome all the troubles she has had in the past few years and produce a really interesting line.

The collection was a great comeback for Linda, you can really tell that she has the time to just design again. The collection was full of amazing basic pieces that I can tell will be very popular come this fall. The big news is that she has relaunched her signature LaParka, in a big way. The show ended with JUST the parka (the theory around here is that the model may have forgotten her undergarments). But hey, it's a great way to end the show: a huge billowy parka with some stunning colourful detailing on the back. Very impressive Linda, I can say that I'm very happy to be working under the same roof as you at Eleventh Floor Apparel.



The last thing I want to say about Linda Lundstrom is that her line DOES cater to the bigger ladies out there. The line is available in sizes up to a 20 (it may have been hard to see this from the size of her models, but such is life in the fashion industry).

ANOTHER event that was all over the press this year happened last night, they revealed the winner of Canada's Next Plus Size Model. This is such a great step in the right direction, it's just too bad that I was hard pressed to find anyone showing at fashion week who would actually use the plus size models that were in the competition. So, who won? Brittney Fisher, a 24 year old waitress from Vernon, BC.




I could go on and on about how I'm really torn over this, but I think that I shall save it for another day and end this post here. I'll be back tomorrow with my favorites from the week. Stay tuned!

Monday, March 16, 2009

Fashion Week and Blog Relaunch!

It's Fashion Week here in Toronto, so what better week to relaunch the AlliStyle Inc. blog than now?

We have planned a pretty big re-vamping. In addition to AlliStyle Inc. updates, we are also going to be having some regular features and special topics. Regular features are going to include profiles on Plus-Size Fashion Icons, What to Wear - a guide to living plus and pretty, tips and tricks on living an eco-friendly lifestyle, some helpful guidelines for health, fitness and wellbeing and lots of other topics, guest bloggers, contests and much more along the way! Oh yes, and regular updates!

This week, AlliStyle Inc. will be keeping you posted on Fashion Week, giving you our perspective on what is happening and paying particular attention to events that feature plus size, women positive and/or eco-friendly fashion and beauty.

Tomorrow's topic: Linda Lundstrom pre-show post. The AlliStyle Inc. team will be heading to the Lundstrom show on Tuesday March 17th. Lindsey will put in her input of the show and provide a post show review on Wednesday.

Stay tuned - lots of positive changes to come! And, as always, comments and feedback are always welcome!


Don't forget to check out AlliStyle Inc. on Twitter - here
and on Facebook - here!


xoxo

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Find AlliStyle Inc. on Facebook!

I can't believe it has been almost a month since our last post. Time sure flies by when you are busy - and we have been.

For starters, we have sketches! Lindsey (our designer) has been working hard at preparing the look book for our designs. Check out a page from our book:


Let us know what you think!

Speaking of which, we are still conducting some market research. If you haven't filled out a survey, and would like to, click here to take survey!

If you fill out the survey, and include your e-mail address, you will be entered into a draw for an organic cotton t-shirt ($40 value!).

Of course, we are also on Facebook. Look us up under "AlliStyle Inc." or click here to go to the AlliStyle Inc. Facebook page!

Until next time!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

The Inaugural Post!

Welcome to AlliStyle's Blog!

If you were directed here from our survey, thank you so much for taking it and for your opinions. They mean a lot to us. And, if you are just browsing, we hope you enjoy your stay.

I should let you know that this Blog is a placeholder for our INTERACTIVE website that is currently under construction. The link for the site is www.allistyle.ca - so check back soon! We are so excited here at AlliStyle Inc. to get the site up and running for you - we plan on having exciting contests, downloads, a forum, the blog and much, much more! And our clothes too, of course!

Speaking of which, we are currently in the process of creating out very first Spring/Summer line of activewear clothing. The designs have already been created and we are currently picking out the fabrics and colours. It's a lot of work, but we hope you are going to LOVE it once it's done. Our line should be out by the end of March, but we will keep you posted with lots of updates in the meantime.

We hope you enjoy the blog as well! We will talk about the progress of our line, share tips and tricks on leading a healthy, happy, philanthropic and eco-friendly lifestyle and share our other musings along the way.

If you have any suggestions, or topics you would like us to talk about, or if you just want to chat - drop us a line at all allistyleinc@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!

Until next time,

Christina