A fabulous Lola & Gigi customer sent me a link to this article in the L.A. Times titled "Fashion's Invisible Woman" and I have to say it did get my blood boiling a bit. The basic gist of the article is the fact that while the average American man (love-handles and all) can shop wherever he darn well pleases, the average American woman (size 14, thank you very much) can barely shop anywhere.
This is why I started Lola & Gigi. I was so tired of not being able to dress myself the way I wanted to, the way I needed to! I believe that the way you put yourself together is an outward manifestation of who you are on the inside. My outfit is my art. It is hard to create a masterpiece when all you have to work with is Crayola. Now don't get me wrong, you can do a lot with crayons, but where is the choice? What if you feel like a watercolour one day and a dramatic oil painting the next? Where are you supposed to get the raw materials? You can only go so far with shoes, handbags & jewellery.
What I hope to provide at Lola & Gigi is choice. I love it when I can put a woman in a change room bursting with beautiful pieces of clothing in her size and she can just choose what she loves (not just what fits). I know we're not for everyone, but I also know that there are women out there looking for boutique quality clothing over a size 10 and I'm going to find it for them!
I believe in quality. I believe in style. I believe in fit. This is the Lola & Gigi trinity that must be present and accounted for in spades when I do the buying for the store. I'm always on the hunt for fabulous. It has taken me to New York, Paris, Milan, Vegas, and Vancouver. I spend countless hours on the internet, scouring for what's out there. I charm, beg, cajole and plead with designers to do an exclusive for us in larger sizes. I walk down the aisles of trade shows asking "what size to you go up to?". Believe me, I've got your back.
That's why I'm so excited that one of the new designers we'll be carrying this spring is Rachel Pally White Label. I love these gorgeous pieces made from modal (one of my favourite fabrics) and the fit is amazing! Her classic sleeveless caftan dress (pictured above) is a staple piece in her collection and was worn by a pregnant Angelina Jolie. Rachel Pally was also included in one of Oprah's hugely popular "Favourite Things" shows. I know she will be an amazing addition to the Lola & Gigi line up.
And have no fear, I'll keep looking for more!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Fashion's Invisible Woman??
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1 comment:
Wow, Laura, that whole article upset me so much. I have been that invisible woman my whole adult life. I thought it was my fault that I couldn't find clothes that fit and I buried myself in layers of boxy tees and jeans in my shame.
It's interesting. Yesterday the Star had an article on the demise of several well-known higher end shops in Toronto. My comment after reading the article was, "well it's not like they ever carried anything that I could wear." It was difficult to feel sympathetic when those stores treated my size 18 body like a leper's when I went in there.
My conclusions? 1. I am so, so glad that you are out there. 2. It's not my fault. 3. I have to demand more from the manufacturers - I have to make myself heard.
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