I do wish we had something like that here! With the recent additions of Alain Weiz to our line starting with the Fall ‘09 collections, we can now say that we are an international site as we scan the globe for the best in plus size fashion and are pleased to bring you our latest picks to keep you in step on a global level.

Read the articles for yourself when you get a minute! And thanks so much once again to Ma Grande Taille and Plus Size Tall for the opportunity to discuss our views as to what is happening on the industry and what is going on at Black Cat Plus!

Chamein Canton in her book Down that Aisle in Style, A Wedding Guide for Full Figured Women has done a superb job of consolidating and organizing all of the information a bride needs on her wedding day. This book offers 167 pages of jam-packed information which is easy to understand and visually appealing.

The first chapter is useful to any plus size fashionista. Canton does a great job of explaining body shapes and silhouettes and how necklines, shoulders, bodice, waistline, sleeves, veil styles and trains and even hemlines can help you show off your body shape and silhouette. This  chapter serves as a great reference guide and is definitely well worth the investment! The pictures and illustrations help tremendously and give the book that extra special touch. Note to Chamein: This should be the topic of a next book! We need a good and current plus size style guide!

In subsequent chapters, Canton discusses wedding day details from makeup to choosing the photographer and additional tips for creating a memorable wedding day celebration. The clothing design and attribute terms glossary in the back serves as a useful reference guide. So, if you are getting married or know of someone who is, check out the book! It would make a great engagement gift for a future bride!  It must be noted that Canton’s bio at the end of the book is an inspritation in itself.  An ovarian cancer and MS survivor, Canton overcame many obstacles to pursue her passion of bridal consultant and, most recently, as managing partner of a literary agency.

So, are you attending a wedding this year and don’t have a clue what to wear?

First, make sure you understand what type of wedding it is so that you know how to dress: Formal-black tie, semi-formal, casual, garden, or picnic? Usually the wedding invitation and venue provides clues. Still, not sure? Call and ask! A good rule of thumb is to avoid loud colors, patterns, and wearing white (you don’t want to outshine the bride).

Two of our Go To Fave’s: A Cocktail dress, such as Kiyonna’s Black Scalloped Lace Dress is great for more formal occasions. You can really get your glam on in this dress!

How about sophistacated elegance–a silk jacket with pants and tank or a silk jacket with a tank dress?  Check out our jackets from Simply Silk.  Shown is a favorite–Simply Silk’s Butterfly jacket. Simply Silk features lightweight, hand-washable fabrics in great colors, styles and designs.  Every plus size fashionista needs at least one Simply Silk jacket in her wardrobe.

Here’s to the Bride and Groom!

I was very cranky about this twitter thing. I could not possibly imagine how I could write about so much news here at BCPHQ.  And, I must admit it was one more thing to think about.

Scroll up, no, not that far….See my latest live post? Cool, huh?!

Yes, Mary can twitter for me or we could hire someone, but I felt it was a good idea for me to twitter about what was happening here at BCP.  Friends finally talked me into it after my endless crabbing and moaning about the one more thing on the to do list. But–get this–I have had SO MUCH FUN!  And, give me a challenge and I will just run with it!

The good thing about twitter is that you can go into your “Twitter Bubble” and chat in 140 words or less about what is happening during your day.  And chat I have! About everything! What’s new in this season’s fashion at BCP, Massimo’s comings and goings. Massimo, is my persian cat and the mascot for BCP, plus size trends, and well, a lot of other stuff that is on my mind.

After the first hour of someone asking me to unfollow her because she is not plus size, it has been so much fun. (Maybe she thought it was catchy?) And, she could have politely not followed or even blocked my twitters which is not the point of twitter anyways. For one brief moment I felt like the fat girl at the prom whom no one talks to.  But then people started following and we were off and running!

Oh and pay attention to other things when you get on twitter..I almost set the house on fire because I forgot I left water on the stove and it all evaporated, and I forgot an appointment. But, really there is social value to twitter–it’s like a big community discussion and for one nanosecond people pay attention to what on your mind and you learn and engage with others about what is on their mind.

So, follow us on twitter! We’ll follow you back and send twitter only specials directly to you! We promise!

GOOD! Problem solved.   Just shop with Black Cat Plus on-line or at our new showroom in Rochester, NY.   

What trends/items have been popular so far for Spring ‘09?  The Fab Five: Jeans, separates in Hippie Chic styles, eco-frieindly, earth conscious fabrics, and feminine dresses and tops in bold colors and prints all set in an effortless, seasonless style.

Denim: Slenderizing dark colors in stretchy fabrics with a slightly wider leg, and reverse stitching has been quite the hot item. 

Pair your jeans with a hippie chic style top.  What is hippie chic? A hint of the 70’s with an updated bohemian silhouette. Gone for now are the peasant style, real blousy pieces that we saw last season.  Check out our Sienna Rose tops, like this Sienna Rose Original Wonders Gathered Tunic.  Truly a work of art in a top! You will get stopped on the street when you wear Mushka by Sienna Rose. 

Still popular from Canadian Designer Diane Kennedy are separates in eco-friendly, made of earth-conscious fabrics, such as organic cotton and bamboo in beautiful bright colors.  Are you petite and have trouble finding a good fitting pant? Check out Diane Kennedy’s petite serene pant; between the fit and the feel of the fabric, you will be in fashion heaven.

Colors are a poppin’ all over the place on dresses this season.  Add a brightly colored dress with a hint of feminine detail such as a ruffle or fringe to your wardrobe and you are all set to take on any occasion.  Check out Kiyonna’s Vivienne Cinch Dress for a perfect example of color and style. 

One major trend is wearability of pieces from season to season.  Pick two or three seasonless essential pieces to add to your wardrobe and mix and match them in with your other items for seasons to come. 

Want to get instant updates for the latest BCP news? Check us out on Twitter.

Great things are happening with denim this season.  Amazing washes and interesting details are THE focal points going forward.  Colored thread, an even better fit using the latest materials and new embroidery methods are proving to be big hits with our customers. 

NYDJ has has taken their popular bootleg styles jean and used tan colored thread for detailing on back pockets, side seams and front pockets.  Because of their black color, these jeans can be taken from day to evening in an instant.  This is a perfect example of sophistication and elegance taken to the next level.  

Dark colored denim with lighter, contrast  stitching is a figure flattering must-have.  Remember, the darker the denim, the more flattering the silhouette. 

Talk about interesting details.  Check out NYDJ’s latest capris!  Crystal stone rivets at the side cuffs make these jeans a fan favorite.  We cannot brag enough about this simple, yet elegant style jean.  

And to top off those details the new styles hava an outstanding fit.  Today’s materials which include lycra and spandex are designed to make you look slimmer and feature a fit that is universally flattering to plus size women.  The jeans do not sag, bag, or lose their shape after washing.  Need a simpler style?  Check out our PK Maks Slimfitter jeans.

Need to purge your previously worn denim?  Go to http://www.kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com/greenscene/ to find out how and where to donate your old jeans, set a Guiness World Record for the Largest Collection of Clothes to Recycle and protect the planet at the same time. 

You cannot go wrong with a dress that has simple lines and a belted waist to show off your hourglass curves. This season’s shirt dress is the perfect answer to sophistication without a lot of fuss. From daytime dressing to casual, cool and comfortable, a shirt dress offers one of the best options to easily take your look from day to evening with minimal effort. The key to choosing the right shirt dress is to find one that has the best proportion to flatter your figure. Don’t be afraid to re-adjust the belt loops to put curves where you need them. For an edgier look, choose to accent your shirt dress with an elastic band patent belt in a bold color or pair your dress with stilettos to give your look added sex appeal and that finishing touch. This shirt dress from SWAK Designs:

.. is the perfect answer to understated elegance from daytime to nighttime and everything in-between.

A classic and oh-so-reliable dress in a simple silhouette shows off your shape. You can never be too rich, too curvy or have too many basic little black dresses! Choose a dress in an easy-care and easy-wear fabric with your choice of one many clean design elements of a plunging neckline, faux wrap silhouette, kimono sleeves, empire waist ruching detail, or an unfussy surplice bodice. Pack your surplice dress for a weekend get-a-way, wear it to the office or accessorize it for a night on the town for a versatile and easy look. This surplice dress from SWAK Designs:

.. is influenced by one of this season’s most exciting fashion trends,–the Orient–with its hint of a kimono sleeve and low-cut, V-neck front, this dress helps you accentuate the positive and keeps you right on trend for a mission accomplished.

If you’ve got it, flaunt it in a glam cocktail dress that never goes out of style! Choose a dress for the cocktail hour that takes the clean design elements and adds a touch of understated sexy that makes you look and feel fabulous. Opt for Old Hollywood Style in Lace or Fifties Glam in a figure hugging cocktail dress from Kiyonna. Kiyonna’s Flaunt Cocktail dress:

.. is one cocktail dress you will never part with. Like this dress:

but need it in a different color–we have just what you need in the color Blush. Whether in black or blush, the ruching around the torso and floating bodice gives you a flattering shape.

One timeless classic reminiscent of Old Hollywood Glamour that is very popular at BCP is our Kiyonna Lace Dress:

This dress is cut to flatter with fabric that is romantic and shows off your features in a positive way.
The Kiyonna Lace Dress was one of the season’s hits at the Gilda’s Club Surviving In Style Fashion Show here in Rochester, NY, which we were proud to be a part of!

As you can see with a little help from our friends at S.W.A.K Designs, The little black dresses this season are excellent examples of easy-to-wear styles in feminine fabrics that allow you to show off your personality for any special event.

For Anna Paul, Hollywood glamour is in her blood. Growing up in Beverly Hills, surrounded by some of the most dazzling women in the world, she always knew she wanted to be a designer. Anna grew up loving fashion and spent her teenage years working in local boutiques after school, selling, dressing mannequins and windows, and whatever she could do to learn the ropes. She then shopped vintage stores in her spare time educating herself. Anna has over 25 years of experience in the fashion industry.

Anna credits some of her success to her first job out of school. “I lucked out and got the most fabulous assistant designer position with a fashion designer who created one of a kind masterpieces for celebrities and socialites. I learned so much - the entire process - pattern making, draping, threads, trims. I was truly ‘an apprentice’. she took me to Dallas market - I learned what a school can’t teach - live learning - I loved it!!”

“Fabrics, trims, art…these are the things that inspire me. I love to bring together exotic elements from all over the world - beading, embroidery and fabrics to create feminine, flattering pieces that will make women feel more beautiful.”

Anna believes that curves are beautiful! “all women, no matter what height or size should feel beautiful, sexy and feminine!”