We've seen plus-sized models vie for (and win) the title of America's Next Top Model, and women of many different sizes grace the small screen, but we've never seen anything quite like Big Brooklyn Style before — we mean the new TLC series, not actual BK street style. The new reality show is focused around Lee Lee's Valise, a Court Street boutique that caters to women sizes 10 to 28, according to their website.

With executive producer Stacy London of What Not To Wear calling the shots, the show will have a similar theme as the other TLC hit, as it focuses on three customers per episode as they embrace and celebrate their size and shape with a new wardrobe from Lee Lee's — including owner Lisa Dolan's own clothing collection. The show, which will also star Lisa's husband and business partner, Jim, sounds very similar to other "look-at-me-now!" kinds of style shows, but it's pretty exciting to see a broader range of women represented in the fitting room (goodness knows, it can be an emotional place for anyone). Here's hoping that Lisa, Jim, and Lee Lee's Valise will be as addictive as Dance Moms, and with as much longevity as ANTM. Will you be tuning in to watch?

Big Brooklyn Style premieres May 29 at 10 p.m. on TLC.

Let's face it: Even in 2012, swimwear options for plus sizes are...less than stellar (ruffle skirts aren't exactly our definition of fashion forward). But luckily, there are a few designers willing to bet that women over size 14 actually want to look cute, poolside.

We're all about helping you feel great in your skin, so we've rounded up nine options that will have you feeling beach-ready in no time. And if you're a little more on the daring side (which we're all for), we've included extra-cool bikini options that provide some support. So, grab your shades, ladies — it's time to show that every body is a beach body.

Every girl, no matter her shape or size, needs at least one go-to cocktail dress that she can turn to for an unexpected party or a last-minute event. You know — that staple frock that always looks good, feels appropriate, and fits like a charm. We know that that search for the perfect dress becomes a lot more challenging, when you're sifting through plus-size offerings that are…less than inspired.

So, we did some homework for you (and we never did our friends' homework in school, so you know you're special) to select a solid batch of beautiful, figure-flattering dresses that'll show off your curves in serious style. We handpicked more than a few winners that will get you through gala season, a dozen summer weddings, and a few dress-to-impress shindigs—surely that deserves an A+, right?

In a sea of tall, thin fashion bloggers, we're always stoked to find someone who shatters the mold. We're newly obsessed with Nadia Aboulhosn, the half-Lebanese curvy girl with singular style who won American Apparel's XL model search last year.

Known for her hip-hugging vintage dresses, high-waisted jeans, and quirky church hats (seriously, this girl can pull anything off!), Nadia's three-year-old blog champions eclectic, brave style and reminds us of what Lady Gaga might dress like if she finally decided to table the theatrics. Determined to turn her success into a career in fashion design, Nadia recently made the move to NYC from Florida…and seriously, we give it a year before this girl has front-row status at NYFW. Click through to see our fave Nadia looks!

Photo: Courtesy of Nadia Aboulhosn

Sick of hearing that curvy girls should stick to dark colors to minimize their — ugh — "problem areas"? We think that's BS, too. Ignore that staid advice, and instead, think bright thoughts for spring by trying out one of the more intimidating but rewarding trends around: neon.

Finding on-trend options in plus sizes can be tricky, but fortunately, we've searched high and low to track down the best electrifying pieces. Whether you're only ready to try a few neon details or you're committed to going all-out flashy, we've got you covered! Forget the head-to-toe black (we're looking at you, Adele), and brighten up your spring wardrobe with our top eight picks.

In Domino Dollhouse's latest collection, "Rebel Rebel," the indie brand stays true to their retro aesthetic while totally amping up the badass style in the form of dark lipstick, buckled boots, and Katy Perry-approved blue hair. Of course, we're all about the leopard print and polka dots, but the collection also features pieces like exclamation-point prints and cropped biker vests are giving us major fashion fever.

This is a definite departure from what we're used to seeing from mainstream, plus-size brands, and we're into it. Domino Dollhouse may just convince us that this is the way to go. Available in sizes 14-28, the pieces range from $46-$70. Click through the lookbook to pick your faves, then shop the collection here.

Photo: Courtesy of Domino Dollhouse

With March fast approaching, it's natural that most of us are (literally) counting down the days until we can pack away the layers and break out our spring dresses — especially after last week's bipolar weather. While we have nothing against floral prints for the warmer months, seeing them year after year can get a little boring, no? This time around, we rounded up the cutest plus-size dresses that prove you can look fresh without going all-out garden party. Click through for our favorite pieces that are anything but predictable daisies!

If you're like us and hankering for weather that'll let you ditch all that heavy layering and finally show off the curves you’ve been hiding all winter, we've got a color-drenched, hip-hugging solution that'll help you make that spring debut you deserve. Enter, our new favorite plus-sized designer.

Named best plus-size designer at Full Figured Fashion Week, Monif C.'s is a bone fide pro when it comes to outfitting curves. Her spring '12 collection offers a variety of dresses that are sexy without being too obvious (we're all about killing 'em softly, you know?), and we love it. Can't wait for sunshine? Click here to shop for the collection now, and practice your sashay for when the snow finally melts.

Somehow, it’s already December and with a jam-packed schedule of cocktail parties, corporate holiday fetes, dreidel tournaments, tree lightings, latke eatings, ham carvings, and midnight countdowns ahead of us, there are a whole lot of opportunities to look glam. I love taking advantage of all the glittery and sequined pieces available throughout the holidays, so forgive me while I totally overdose on sparkle and encourage you to do the same! Forge ahead for a gallery of curvalicious glitzy, glam, gem-toned pieces to fill the countdown to New Year's.

Today marks the official launch of The Limited’s much anticipated plus-size line, eloquii, with sizes from 14W to 24W, and pants in curvy and classic fits. With a focus on workwear, eloquii offers a diverse mix to take a working girl seamlessly from day to evening, with a few extra eye-grabbing pieces thrown into the mix that might surprise you. eloquii partnered up with plus-size super-blogger Gabi Gregg, to help bring a fresh perspective to the brand's typically conservative approach. It seems the full range is not yet available online (we’re still waiting for some of our favorites from the preview, like a killer tuxedo jacket and gorgeous yellow dress), but we've seen enough covetable pieces to really pique our interests! Check out the eloquii video after the break!

Collarless Cocoon Cape, $158, availableat eloquii; Curvy Fit Skinny Jeans, $79.90, available at eloquii; Signature Bomber Jacket, $158, available at eloquii.

Fall is here, and as the temperatures gracefully drop, it’s high-time we pull our boots on. Except, if you’re anything like me, finding a boot you can pull on easily, is, well, hard to come by. Thankfully, a handful of stores and designers seem to sympathize with the plight of the non-twiggy. From equestrian-chic to walking-in-the-rain to Foxy Brown, we’ve rounded up 10 awesome wide-calf boots, with steals from $34.99 to total splurge-worthy numbers! Start marching, ladies.

Photo: Via Macy's and Torrid

Love Voundi is a Parisian woman on a mission to bring eco-friendly, African-inspired design to women of all shapes and sizes with her line Masaari. With an emphasis on her ethnic heritage and a keen interest in making clothes in an ethical manner, Voundi, who has just launched her online shop with shipping to the US, strives to influence the attitudes towards curvy women in her native country of France by offering the same designs in sizes 6 through 24. With a fearlessness towards color (her collection is rife with bright orange and yellow), and an insistence on using high-end, high-quality fabrics (something rarely seen in the plus-size world, especially), Masaari is making bold statements and I'm loving it. Suede tops? Check. Leather bustiers? Check! With emerging designers from the Australia and Denmark, and now France, making high-statement clothes for women of all shapes, I'm starting to wonder who the next American designer will be to dazzle us with their wares...



What inspired you to start Masaari?
"In 2007 I went to Africa after not stepping one foot there for 23 years. It was a revealing and liberating experience for me! Colors, prints, and music everywhere! I went straight back to my fashion school, and charged in with a strong idea of my future fashion identity. It took me years to have the courage to create my own line, and to think to have “plus-size” extended to “regular” sizes. This year, I was struggling to find clothes with style, and something click in my mind. I wanted a change! So, I started to design clothes with wax (African print fabric), and after seeing the bigger picture, Masaari was born!"

How has your cultural background influenced your design aesthetic?
"My family is from Africa, so I have always been surrounded by beautiful women wearing traditional African clothes. African people LOVE clothes, have a big sense of style, and are proud of it. It’s our culture and engrained in our DNA! This has influenced my relation with fabrics and my approach with colors and prints. But, of course, I am passionate about tribes, folklore, arts and crafts of various countries, not only Africa."



What informed your decision to start a line inclusive of curvy and plus-size women, with such a wide range of sizes from a 6-24?
"I think women should be able to shop together, no matter what their size is! It’s so frustrating to go shopping with friends who don't wear the same size as you. Shopping must stay a sociable, fun, and stressless activity ! Plus, I am a curvy woman and I wanted to have access to my own clothes."

How does designing for curvy and full-figured women differ from designing clothes for the size 0 - 12 set?
"I don’t think there is such a big difference. Regardless of size, the goal is to enhance women, embrace their curves, create a perfect look on the body, and never use fabrics that look cheap."

How do attitudes towards plus size fashion and women differ in Paris than they do in the US?
"There is a big difference between US and France about plus-size fashion because there are fewer full-figured women in France, which means there's also much less choice with plus-size fashion in France. When you are a full-figured person in Paris, you stick out of the crowd. In the US, the clothes are cut more close to the body and are more fashion-forward than here in France, where instead, women are encouraged to hide their curves, hide their shapes, and instrinsically hide who they are. Fortunately, my collection has had a very warm reception in both countries. You will find Masaari in some boutiques in New York and can now order the pieces online."



How does Masaari differentiate from other plus size brands?
"My first concern when I think a piece is 'How it will bring self-confidence to women?' This brand is totally an invitation for pride and joy!"

What is your favorite piece in your collection, and what are the different ways you can style it?
"J’adore the top Coco and the Angie top! Thanks to the double slider we can wear them in different ways. I like to wear the Angie top with my Levi’s skinny jeans and python moccasins. I wear the Coco top very open in the back, layered with a long black skirt, and wear an accumulation of necklaces and bracelets on both hands."