So my style challenge this week was a beautiful Marina Rinaldi suit.

This was so much fun because having two pieces to work with is better than one! I picked a
whole bunch of shirts and denim and fun accessories to put with them, most from La Grande Dame, of course!

I love to mix and match high end pieces with some lower end pieces. I am also looking at investment pieces and that is why I added in some Manolos and diamonds. A Coach sling for night and a tote for the day mixed with some fun jewelry will get you through all your fun occasions. Make sure to check
out my comments under each picture! How would you style this suit?

Check out more styles to take this suit from day to night on polyvore and let us know what you think!

High End Fashion For Plus Sized Women

March 11, 2010 by Angela Shupe |

Nothing is more troublesome than trying to find high quality, high end fashions… especially if you’re a plus sized woman. The reality is that there is a growing niche in the clothing market, a niche that many stores are not that quick to fill.

A plus sized woman herself, Michelle just wasn’t able to find the fashions she wanted in her size. Together Michelle and her daughter Catherine decided to change that, so they made use of their combined talents and created La Grande Dame.

Tell us a little about La Grande Dame and your inspiration for the business.

We both share a passion for fashion and have spent the last decade shopping together. These shopping trips were often marred by tears in the dressing room and unkind words from sales people who “don’t have anything big enough” for size 18 Michelle. Petite Catherine could always find the perfect, fashionable, trendy clothing to fit her body type but unfortunately, as a college student and then a recent graduate she never had the money to buy those designer fashions. Michelle had the desire and the means to purchase those fabulous styles but more often than not they didn’t come in her size.

We started La Grande Dame to ensure that larger women across the country have the opportunity to purchase designer clothing made for their curves. La Grande Dame is committed to beautiful, trendy, high-end fashions for plus sized women.

Up to what size does the clothing you offer go to?

Most designers that we carry go up to a size 24 although we carry 4x (26-28) in Gayla Bentley.

What are some of the brands you offer?

We carry top designer brands such as Marina Rinaldi (Max Mara’s plus sized line), David Meister, and Not Your Daughter’s Jeans as well as boutique brands such as Anna Scholz, Melissa Masse, and t-bags. We have a huge variety of brands to satisfy women’s professional wardrobes, as well as fun, trendy, casual attire.

Which products are the most popular among your customers?

Our customers love fun tunics and figure flattering dresses. They also love things that are unique and hard to find. We sell a lot of Anna Scholz, Marina Rinaldi and t-bags. James Jeans are our most popular denim brand.

What impression do you hope a potential customer will take away from your website when they visit?

We want our customers to take away a couple of points:

1) That there are beautiful, trendy, high quality clothes available to women of every size.

2) They deserve to wear these beautiful clothes.

3) That La Grande Dame specializes in excellent customer service and we are available by live chat, phone or email.

What has it been like running a business with your mother? Would you say it has made you closer now than you were before?

It has definitely made us closer and we have a much different appreciation for the skills that each of us bring to the business. Before working together I always knew mom was creative but once we actually started La Grande Dame I was amazed by the good, creative marketing ideas she came up with on a regular basis.

She always knew I liked to write but was surprised to see how professional it was and how quickly and easily it came to me.

What is the hardest part of working so closely with someone you’re related to? What’s the best part?

The hardest part of working so closely together with someone you love is keeping emotion out of the conversation. For example financial conversations between daughters and parents are always fraught with emotion and bring back memories of child interactions. Discussing business finances without getting stressed is hard.

The best part is we get to see each other every day. We can work together better than we would with any other person, we get to bring our dogs to work and soon I will be bringing my baby.

What are some of the lessons your business has taught you?

Start small with the expectation of growth. When you think you are starting small, take a step back and start even smaller, especially in a recession! We knew our idea would be a hit – and it has been – it has just taken a little bit longer to really develop a strong customer base and to get customers familiar with our site.

Do you have any advice you’d like to offer fellow entrepreneurs that are just getting started?

Don’t try to start a business that you are not passionate about and that you don’t have complete faith in. You will put in too much time, money and emotion to commit to something you are not absolutely excited about.

See the full collection at style.com

What do you think of Valentino’s fall collection.

I loved…Gabourey Sidibe’s Marchesa!  The color is fabulous and the ruching and criss-cross styling were so flattering.  I would sooooo sell this dress if Marchesa would actually manufacture it in plus sizes.

Gabourey Sidibe's Marchesa

I liked (but didn’t love)…Queen Latifah’s look.  It was, nice, but the front was a touch wrinkled and I think she has looked better.

Queen Latifah

Mo'nique was thisclose...

Hair and makeup?  Flawless.  Color?  Stunning!  Fit…not so much.  I would have loved to see Mo’nique in this very same Tadashi dress, just a size bigger and possibly tailored in to accentuate her figure.  I think this particular dress smoshed her bust in and just didn’t quite do her stunning figure justice.

And, just for fun, a couple of styles that made me laugh, and/or cringe…

Diane Kruger in Chanel…

What Would Coco Say?

Zoe Saldana in Givenchy

I am speechless…

And…to end on a happy note, I would have gotten married in Miley’s dress (but girl, stand up straight)

Perfection

www.lushusa.com Their products are all home made and have an expiration date on
them. They are completely luxurious and eco-friendly. Those are all words that we
all like to hear in this world of late. If you sign up for their emails, they run
some amazing promotions! I am going to list a few of my favorite goodies here for
you.

If you love a good aromatherapy bath, try to the Avo Bath! It’s a clean green
smelling and slightly invigorating bath bomb. Sex Bomb is sultry and sensual.
Butterball and Waving Not Drowning are two great bombs to help you sleep! Vanilla
Fountain is so delicious smelling, I would love to have a fresh plate of cookies
next to me while I bathe.

If you want a true bubble bath, you have to get yourself a bubble bar! My three
favorites are the Karma bar, the Comforter Bar and the French Kiss!

These bars can be broken up and they go way longer than the bomb does. Try them out and let me
know your thoughts!

XooX
-Fanny
Mazierose.com/Method

My goal with La Grande Dame is to bring you beautiful, trendy, figure flattering styles that are actually made for our plus sized bodies.  And, not to toot my own horn or anything, but, I think we do a pretty good job of it.  The hard part now is figuring out what to wear under things.

I am exceptionally curvy and my 40Fs occasionally need a little “reining in”, especially under low cut tops and dresses.  I love to wear beautiful camis to provide just a little bit of extra coverage in the cleavage region, plus, they give me a nice smooth body line under my clothes.  Unfotunately, it is really hard to find these basics – I am forever seeking out camisoles, plain t-shirts and the ever elusive bra that is sexy, comfortable and supportive.

I spent all evening yesterday searching for pretty camis to wear under my dresses.  Have any of you had success in that area?  My Ideal camisole would have lace at the bust, be extra long so it doesn’t roll up on my tummy and it would come in a multitude of colors, not just the basic black, white and nude.

I did find one on J.Jill’s website:

J Jill Perfect Cami

What camis are you wearing?

Once we get moved in we want to have you over for a shopping and cocktails event. Are you in the Bay Area and interested? Please send me an email with days/times that work for you.

So here I am sitting with a beautiful Anna Scholz dress, which, of course you can purchase at LaGrandedame.com and I am thinking about how to accessorize it. With my new subscription to Polyvore, I decided to put two looks together. This dress is such a beauty that you can wear it to a brunch, for work or to accentuate your inner rocker chick!

I am dying for some new accessories and the ones that I would love are below. These are all in my dream world, of course, where I have an American Express Black card

I’d love to know if you could pick one item from this set, which would it be and why?

XooX
-Fanny

ROCKER CHICK

Biker Jackets – Plus Size Coats & Jackets
$82 – www.evans.co.uk

Studded Belt | Lane Bryant
$40 – lanebryant.com

Shimmer Ballet Flat
$150 – coach.com

Street Level 77973 studded bag
$70 – piperlime.gap.com

Plus Size Textured Bangle Set at Avenue.com
$9.90 – avenue.com

Harley silver plated cuff
$300 $210 – net-a-porter.com

TOYWATCH ‘Plasteramic Collection’ Watch
$225 – nordstrom.com

Vintage Deco Star Sapphire and Diamond Ring – Lang Antiques
$11,950 – langantiques.com

Fashion Rose Pin Fashion Jewelry
$15 – lanebryant.com

Sunday Brunch!

Rose Pin
$15 – lanebryant.com

Design History Floral Appliqué Cardigan (Plus) – Cardigans – Nordstrom
$58 – nordstrom.com

INC Strappy Sandals
$89 – macys.com

Longchamp handbag
$120 – Nordstrom.com

Rose Gold Blue Sapphire Heart Ring, Jordan Askill
$285 – liberty.co.uk

18-karat gold rose quartz and pink tourmaline earrings
$3,675 - net-a-porter.com

Ippolita ‘Rock Candy Cameo’ Smoky Quartz Rose Bracelet
$1,400 – nordstrom.com

Bronze Belt
$15 – lanebryant.com

Hermes Small Cape Cod Leather Strap Watch
hermes.com

Bow Button Dress at La Grande Dame, $305

I have just started trying to wear glasses again with the hopes that they will prevent computer induced migraines.  Rumor has it if I can actually see my monitor I won’t have to strain my eyes so hard…we will see.  Usually my vanity wins out but throw me some of these Prada stunners just might make me a four eyed convert.

I love this whole look, beehive, glasses, dress and shoes!!

Yum

Prada 10 Glasses

Check out the whole collection, curvy models and all, at style.com. What do you think?  Please let me know in the comments.

I absolutely love the way my nails look when they are freshly done.  I will go out of my way and change my plans to have my nails looking good.  I will search for the perfect nail polish color.  I have a collection that is numbering around 50 bottles these days.  I search E-bay when a color is no longer in stock or rotation and I get a bottle or two there.

O.P.I. Is my favorite brand and they have partnered up with Sephora (www.sephora.com) to bring you colors that are delicious and right at our finger tips.  If my penchant for shopping Designer Labels wasn’t bad enough, I stumbled upon a color there called Sample Sale.  I laughed and bought it immediately.  It is a sparkly candy apple red, my perfect red.  It makes me feel like a 1940’s pinup every time I have it polished in my nails.  Curvy and Sassy!

XooX
-Fanny
Mazierose.com/method