Fashion design is defined as the art of the application of design and aesthetics or natural beauty to clothing and accessories.   Until the 1950s, fashionable clothing was predominately designed and manufactured on a made to measure or haute couture basis (French for high-fashion).  A couture garment was made to order for an individual customer, and was usually made from high-quality and expensive fabric, sewn with extreme attention to detail and finish, often using time-consuming and hand-executed techniques.  Notably, look and fit took priority over the cost of materials and the time it took to make.

Fashion design is defined as the art of the application of design and aesthetics or natural beauty to clothing and accessories.   Until the 1950s, fashionable clothing was predominately designed and manufactured on a made to measure or haute couture basis (French for high-fashion).  A couture garment was made to order for an individual customer, and was usually made from high-quality and expensive fabric, sewn with extreme attention to detail and finish, often using time-consuming and hand-executed techniques.  Notably, look and fit took priority over the cost of materials and the time it took to make.  

Recently, Jennifer Hudson said in an interview (referring to her new “non-plus size” body), “the truth is, so many more [fashion] opportunities open up when you’re on the other side, as I am now. I’d no idea what I was missing out on. It’s like a whole other world; ”   Jennifer feels that more designers are calling her now because of her slim size.  Jennifer Hudson is entitled to feel elated and I wish her continued success.  She has encouraged those who have a desire to lose weight, as well as made a personal decision to change her lifestyle concerning her health, career and more.   And, for the plus size woman, she continues to be a trendsetter.  However, as one who is actively involved in the plus size modeling world, I want to remind plus-size models, that confidence is a major key to revitalizing the standards of high-fashion (as defined before the 1950’s).  Fashion designers should know that a full-figured model has a wonderfully sculpted physique, designed to bring new life to their pieces.  Plus, added with the confidence a model carries, she becomes the perfect catalyst needed to enlist a host of curvaceous women to use the everyday streets as their high-fashion runways. 

It’s not a secret that plus size models are not in high demand for high fashion houses, runways, and high fashion editorials.  Jennifer Hudson took the world by storm by not letting Simon Cowell’s words affect her, and she was nominated and later took home an Oscar for her performance in Dreamgirls. She accomplished these things as a full-figured woman.  I love her voice, spirit, and charisma, but I feel that the lack of support and interest (from the media) in Jennifer’s plus size post Dreamgirls may have affected her confidence in deeply loving her curves.  Fashion designers weren’t calling so much before because she may not have appeared comfortable in her own skin; she may not have exuded the swag that designers needed to pull off their look. A designer’s garment is his/her masterpiece; it’s their work of art like Picasso’s paintings.

Now that Jennifer has dropped 80 pounds, designers are calling left and right because she is exuding a newfound confidence and sporting a new smaller frame. I personally find it a shame that she had to lose 80 pounds to realize how beautiful she is.  It’s my thinking that if she would’ve had the same confidence she has now, designers would have been beating down her door.  I would like to applauded designers like Melissa Masse, who has dressed the likes of Cameron Diaz and Charlize Theron, for creating pieces beautiful enough to adorn Amber Riley of Glee. Other accolades go out to Tadashi Shoji designer of Monique’s Oscar gown; and Marchesa for winning the battle to design Gaborey Sidibe, Oscar night dress (she’s known for dressing skinny celebs like Anne Hathaway and Miley Cyrus).  Moreover, I’m sure a number of cuvey women would love to join me in thanking Vogue Italia for gracing their covers with plus size models in their June issue this year.

Designers are basically salespeople for their art.  They see a need, they meet it, and they sell it.  What helps sales? Marketing! Having celebs wear designer clothing for press heavy events is in the vein of free advertising.  They see which celebrity is hot, no matter what size they are, and they seek them out.  I think that Jennifer’s problem wasn’t her size; it was her public popularity that kept designers from beating down her door.  Now, that she’s dropped 80 pounds, new album, new baby, and is a spokesperson for Weight Watchers she’s everywhere. Wouldn’t you want to dress her too?