Big Girl’s Blouse London is both a fashion blog and a personal shopping service. It caters to all kinds of clients, but specializes in plus fashion. Ursula Gross-Hohnacker, founder of BigGirlsBlouseLondon.com, has kindly accepted to tell us more about her services. Find out abour her career with Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Selfridges. Ursula also tells about being a personal shopper in London and about here favourite trends for this Spring.
1/ Ursula, tell us about yourself. How did your career in fashion led you to create BigGirlsBlouseLondon.com?
I have spent the majority of my working life in fashion.
First by training in a buying office and going onto working for the British buying offices of US stores Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. I then went onto being a personal shopper for Selfridges in London, which was my main inspiration for Biggirlsblouselondon.com.
Being larger myself I knew how difficult it was to buy fashion clothing but as a personal shopper I saw how distressing it could get for some women who were literally turned away because of their size and our lack of stock catering for women even from a size 16.
When I began at Selfridges they stocked fantastic labels such as Givenchy in large sizes and the pleasure I had dressing clients in special outfits was wonderful but eventually the stock disappeared and we started treating women of size very badly indeed. I started to take a professional interest in plus-sizes and their availability in London, which over a few years led me to start thinking of a website/blog.
2/ What are the topics that your site covers most often (related to fashion or not)?
Biggirlsblouselondon.com really started as an online business card for me to get a bit of notice but very quickly grew. The idea is to look at plus-size fashion more at a designer level, to review collections and to attract designers and companies who want to be seen more by their audience. I look at fashion trends, footwear, lingerie and accessories – which are very important. The latest area is bridal which has been so much fun and has attracted a lot of attention.
BGB is not a protest blog, although when we find fashion news or items we think should be written about we will – it is designed to be much more fun and positive with what I like to call a brighter outlook than most.
3/ You also offer a personal shopping service. Could you tell us more about it?
I am a personal shopper and offer the service to everyone but with a specialisation in plus-sizes. It can be whatever a potential client wants it to be from simple wardrobe and styling advice right through to personalised shopping outings. I currently work with executives who see me twice a year for wardrobe and seasonal shopping sessions, which could be just a single day or as much as four or five separate days to prepare them for the season.
4/ What is the most frequent mistake that curvy girls make when it comes to buying an outfit?
I cannot say that there is a single mistake done but there are a few things a curvy woman should do before going shopping. The first is to be honest with themselves and know their size and shape - to learn what suits them but not be intimidated by too many magazine articles or so-called fashion experts whom they have never met.
I have had so many clients at Selfridges who have come in clutching a picture of a pop start or TV celebrity and saying to me – ‘I want to look like that’. Do not be over-influenced by articles or even friends who think they know how you should look – use them as guides only and if you are really unsure of what you want – go to a professional first who will guide you in the right direction.
The final thing is to research shopping areas that do have plus-size shops or departments as there can be nothing more demoralizing than preparing for a shopping trip only to find nothing available for you – plan ahead!
5/ What are you 3 favorite clothing brands of the moment?
My three favourite brands – based on Autumn/Winter ‘09 would probably be – Elomi lingerie because they know what a curvy woman needs in her lingerie drawer when it come to fit, quality and comfort. Evans winter collection was spot-on. Their coats were fabulous and they did some great little cocktail dresses. My third choice would be Mica Paris for SimplyBe – I hope she carries on working for them.
I have not made up my mind about Spring/Summer yet.
6/ You know a lot about trends. What are the trends among plus-size brands this Spring?
Fifties Euro-Cinema look gives a bit of glamour. I have seen the ‘boyfriend’ trend taking hold for early spring and denim features strongly. Lots of pattern, applied decoration and colour – Black and white, red and metallic fabrications are favoured. An exotic theme slowly comes through and the music festival look comes back but slightly more ethereal including print maxi dresses for high summer
7/ Do you think that UK brands and retailers (e.g. Evans, Dorothy Perkins, etc.) are more attractive that US brands?
Yes, because they are more trend driven - but not necessarily better in quality.
8/ Do you know any French plus size brands?
No I do not know any French brands it is an area I would love to get to know better as the concentration here is more on British, US, German and Danish brands.
9/ Could you name a few high end brands for curvy ladies à la Elena Miro that you would recommend?
My higher end brand favourites would be Anna Scholz for her design consistency, IGIGI who make beautiful dresses for curvier women, Now, Nation of Women from Persona for their modern outlook. I am always on the lookout for more!
10/ How can you be reached?
I can be contacted from my site ugh@biggirlsblouselondon.com.
Site : http://www.biggirlsblouselondon.com
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