Plus siz news is always in fashion blogs and websites, but I still find it very strange that print magazines have not taken hold of this excellent niche in woman's fashions.  I know that I should applaud Nicolette Mason, journalist for Marie Claire for being given one page in every Marie Claire edition.  I should definitely not look at a gift horse in a mouth, but really one page.  Nicolette is a brilliant writer and has so much to say for the plus size community. Her concepts are fresh and very current, and they help the plus size buyer concentrate on the trends that work for them.

I know see that Ashley Falcon (previously from Marie Claire)is reporting in People Style Watch, another magazine that is allowing the plus size community one page in their program. Well, I will take what I can get, and hopefully see more magazines picking up our news with interest.

Allistyle will be posting the new styles within the next few days.  We have a great new dress, tunics and skirts.  As we have always felt that we are seasonless in our structures, we have yet to follow specific collection periods.  This will change in the next season, because we have to go along with the groove.  Buyers only purchase during the seasons, and of course we want Allistyle to go along with their schedule.

Yesterday Allistyle was covered in the Report on Business in the globe and mail, Toronto.  Go to their site www.globeandmail.com and then small business.  You will find this interesting article.  Although I did not learn anything new, everything was the obvious, it was great publicity for Allistyle.  I didnt like the head line "Plus size clothing line struggles to sell", because we are not struggling. We are a new line, expecially new to the market and all lines struggle.  Just watch us move ahead in the years to come.

Today is my last posting of 2011. I am so excited about where we have come in 2011, remarkable things have happoened, and I know that many remarkable things are ready to happen in the new year.

I WOULD LIKE TO ALERT EVERYONE THAT PURCHASES MADE DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON WILL BE DELIVERED AT THE END OF JANUARY. 

I absolutely cannot wait for the upcoming year, with many articles in Canadian magazines, new pieces introduced to the collection and many more wonderful happenings.

the team at Allistyle would like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and a very happy and especially healthy year ahead.  Watch out world, 2012 is the year for Allistyle.

All the best,

Pam

We were the second to walk, right after Toni Plus. The nine pieces in the collection highlighted were anazing, highlighted with great jewelery and shoes. They really showed exactly what we are talking about, great fashion, natural and intelligent that works with day or night dressing. The comfort is special, and the way we highlight the curves is spectacular.

the best for me was watching the camera's flash and the smiles of everyone as the beautiful models walked the runway. A surreal feeling came over me, and I felt as if Alli was right by my side. I miss her so much, because she was my right hand person who was my greatest cheerleader.  I just know she was there!

I will post some pictures later.

The clothes are being modeled by the beautiful models of hte Ben Barray Agency. We have nine items on the runway.  You know, starting a new clothing line really takes a huge amount of strength and passion, but once you see these pieces finally coming together, although it has taken quite a while, it adds to your confidence in doing the right thing.

 Alli used to tell me to take a "chill pill" when I became anxious that processes were taking too long. She was right, because take a look at where we are now, and the future looks really great.  I will blog tomorrow and tell you how the show went.

Whitney’s brilliance really worked, because not only did the new pieces photograph beautifully but we were able to shoot the whole collection in the best setting ever.  We are waiting for the final shots to include in the website, but we should be good to go within the next week.

Things have been really moving forward, slowly but very surely. Whitney is becoming very involved with Allistyle, not only as the model and face, but also in the design and other factors.  She is the new Executive Vice President of the company. I have been so lucky with everything that is happening with Allistyle.  I know that it has taken me a while but we are moving ahead.

The new pieces will be available for sale within the next few weeks. We are also going to be presenting in its first runway show.  On November 15th, in Toronto, On the Curve Events is presenting a fashion show targeted to the beautiful plus size woman. We are presenting along with Toni Plus, Lola and Gigi, Stefanie Bezaire and Gussied Up (my most favourite boutique,Bathurst and Dupont).

We are participating as a sponsor, and are thrilled to be using the Ben Barry Modelling agency.

How apropos that this is how we are formally launching.  I met Ben about a year ago at a seminar, and I wanted to work with his company, as he is one of the only agencies that honours women no matter what size and ability.

So let’s update you with great news.  Allistyle is now in the brand new plus size boutique in Toronto called “Gussied Up”.  Owner Victoria McGoarty is providing the size 14 plus woman a variety of clothing that is fashion forward, fun and classic. Victoria’s vision (thank goodness) is nothing like what is mostly out there.  You walk into this boutique and you feel as if you are in a special environment.  Go and try on a few items, her dressing room mirrors are outstanding; I have never looked so thin!  I just received an email from Victoria stating that I should be there to see the smiles on the purchaser’s face when she puts on Allistyle.  I cannot wait until I happen to be in the shop and I see the smile that would be the best ever!

I have been working diligently to bring Allistyle to the curvy market, both in Canada and in the States. Hopefully in the next six months, you will see this line in many of the top cities in North America.

Time now is dedicated to planning how to bring Allistyle into the forefront of this community.  I am very excited about the future and how Allistyle will make a woman celebrate her curves.

Sorry it has been a few weeks since I have blogged.  I have to get into the routine of doing this every other day, so that everyone can keep up with what is happening at Allistyle. I just have to figure out how to keep all opf the balls up in the air, especially the social media balls!

Since it took me so long to get this website up and running, there is quite a bit of “historical thank you’s” that are owed to so many people who have made everything come together.  I thought that a website would be the most simplest thing to get up and running, but boy was I wrong. With the first five pieces of the line launched I did have a website that was functional. This website worked well, especially since, that was the website that Whitney Thompson viewed to see what we were all about.  After Whitney came on board, the site had to come down and the new photo shoot and new brand had to be incorporated.  I decided that we had to go big or go home, so I worked with a company that I thought were first class.  They in turn provided me with a brand, but instead of it taking the so called time “signed on” it took months longer, and I mean much longer to get up and going. A new web programmer stepped in, and finally and thankfully, I have this website functioning.

So let’s get back to the thank you’s that have been owed since August 2010 on the website. I want to go back to the actual shoot that took place in the middle of August 2010 at the studio of Richard Sibbald, an amazing fashion photographer who is part of a team that produced the show Look-a-like. My close friend Moe Kelso, the brilliant producer and fashion stylist spoke to her team and they were thrilled to come on board.  I was so fortunate to have Richard and Alissia Marciano from the Look-a-Like team. They in turn brought me Town Shoes and Made you Look Jewellery. Take a look on the Allistyle links and they will be there.  The make-up artist was amazing along with David Cane and his amazing video that represents the day (take a look for it at Vimeo and or You Tube). Moe made sure that everything flowed perfectly, and it did. Whitney Thompson and Shakira Harper just did what they do naturally, look absolutely gorgeous. I just sat back and watched as ET Canada and In Fashion came to tape a segment. Everything just seemed completely surreal.

Well, I am really happy that I finally had the opportunity to tell the Allistyle community about the brilliant people who worked on this fashion shoot. My sincere appreciation to everyone who participated. When I look back in  years to come, I will remember with joy the first photo shoot for Allistyle.  It really felt like Alli was right there, applauding and smiling. I know that my silent partner is always there for me. There is no doubt about it.