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Now serving...Kate Sturino Collab with StitchFix

Kate Sturino has long been regarded for her advocacy of inclusive fashion. We found ourselves a little underwhelmed with the promotional feature photos of the collection. Also, with the progressive agenda of the women’s plus size movement, shoppers now demand body diversity as well; calling for several body shapes and types (within the plus category) for representation purposes...and Kate’s online branding for her Kate Sturino x StitchFix, unfortunately, misses the mark. But GRACE. This isn’t Kate’s first fashion collaboration, however our feedback, your feedback makes a difference as we collectively work to voice our fashionable needs as we live. our. best. lives! Many know Kate for her blog: The 12ish Style, Style for the 12ish-18ish girls living in a Size 2 World. Take a look for yourself: Kate Sturino x StitchFix 

Photo Courtesy of StitchFix

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#pluschat What are some good plus size stores in most malls?

Kayla, GREAT question, if you share your city, we can make the advice even more specific, however with your budgetary constraints and your wish to keep it cool, chic, and stylish we would highly recommend Forever 21 Plus (available in specific locations only) or Lane Bryant. With both stores, we certainly encourage you to start at the clearance racks, if budget is a top concern without you sacrificing a stylish pick!

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The Fat-kini: Your Summer Vote of Confidence

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The PlusNavigator team is particularly intrigued by the ever-growing trend around 2-piece bikini specifically designed for plus size women. What's great is that the average size woman (...think anything over a size 8) can enjoy the flattering benefits and vote of confidence that these pieces grant beauty women of all sizes. The Huffington Post recently provided coverage on how the fat-kini is worn, all from the great trend start from the notable Gabifresh.

Our team absolutely adores what this does to further support the celebration of beauty, as style and beauty have no size limitations!

- Alex, PlusNavigator Contributor

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Fiji Fashion Week Calls for Full Figured Models

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The PlusNavigator team happily reports that the Department of Culture and Heritage are part sponsors of the upcoming Fiji Fashion Week fast approaching on July 6, 2013.

Fiji Fashion Week spokesperson Lice Movono-Rova, commented on the lack of response from the full figured model community, sharing:

" ...I think there's still a lot of myths around what the woman's figure is like and at our last auditions on the weekend we only got a handful of full figured models. And so we would have made a bigger show of calling for full figured models because of that very reason. A lot of people see the marketing materials that are put out showing size eight and size ten models, and some of them might be a little bit intimidated. So we're trying to be a bit more vocal in our call for women with a full figured size."

The Fiji Fashion Week event is regarded as the "only premier fashion event in the region."

We commend their team, and their respective government support for their acknowledgement of celebrating culture, natural beauty of all sizes, as style has no size. - Alex, PlusNavigator Contributor

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gorgeous prints, what do you think?

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gorgeous!

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absolutely fabulous, what do you ladies think?

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Plus Size Mannequins...is the world ready?

Initially cited as a bold move from H&M, we've found that the they did not use a size 12 mannequin, however we have learned that these are live images from a retailer in Sweden...and its went viral, what do you think ladies and gentleman?

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Fashion Bug Smashed! Ascena Group to Close All Remaining Stores by 2013

Most are aware that Lane Bryant and its Charming Shoppes affiliates (Catherines, Fashion Bug, etc) were acquired in May 2012 by Ascena Retail Group, best known for their Dress Barn retail locations. The company has officially made the decision close down the failing brand extension by early 2013. Good move, Bad move? What do you think?  

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Kardashians to Launch Plus Size Denim Line

The illustrious Kardashian sisters are planning to leave their stylish mark on fashionable curvy girls. While the sisters are not "plus size" they certainly realize the opportunity to serve and the beauty of celebrating curves at any size. The Kardashian sisters launched a contest late last month in an effort to find their plus size model for the ad campaign. What do you think?

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Plus Size Industry Infographic

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#plusfashionalert If you're interested in keeping up with stylish market updates, be sure to stay connected to this online web series designed to empower full figured women with tips, tricks, and insights about savvy apparel shopping!

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Fitness for Plus Size ONLY, what do you think? I stumbled across a unique fitness company called Body Exchange located in Canada, specifically designed to serve plus size women only. Having personal experience as a plus size woman, I can definitely see the strong themes of commonality that could make such an environment work, what do you think?

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We don't carry your size in-store, visit us online?

All, very interested to hear your thoughts on this. According to New York City based fashion boutique Mielle, they're noticing a trend of retailers exclusively offering select items online only. They make the unique case that there is value in trying on the merchandise that you're looking to buy, what do you think? Are retailers letting us down?

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Foot Traffic Down, Online Traffic Up for Plus Size Shoppers

According to Just-Style, industry leader Charming Shoppes (parent company of Lane Bryant, Catherines) had a pretty large decline in profit--an estimated 31% loss. Some of you are well aware that Charming Shoppes was successfully acquired in May 2012 by Ascena Retail Group (most know them for their Dress Barn retail locations). Charming Shoppes, CEO Anthony Romano shared "We also executed deeper discounts to ensure seasonal unit sell-throughs as we experienced continuing challenging traffic trends." While brick and mortar retail sales remained relatively static, there was a notable uptick in online sales for plus size apparel shoppers (an estimated 18% rise).

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Welcome!

Welcome, and thank you for opting to learn more about PlusNavigator, a revolutionary, market-changing platform designed to serve and empower plus size apparel shoppers. Our team is incredibly excited to share updates and progress as it occurs.

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