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When I was 15 I went to my first prom. I remember that first dress; I had never owned anything so fancy before. It was a long, shimmery column of navy, dotted with tiny beaded floral clusters that poked me every time I tried to sit. I did my own hair and makeup, giving myself Shirley Temple ringlets, and going overboard on the hot pink blush. I may have looked like an awkward, juvenile mess, but inside I was glowing. I had a level of faith in myself that I thought only supermodels possessed.
I felt that same energy again at a handful of sorority formals and — most of all — on my wedding day. I felt so beautiful in my gown that nothing could have toppled my confidence. Clothing just has that transformative power. The wrong outfit can feel schlubby, but when you slip into something gorgeous that fits your curves, you stand up taller, pull your shoulders back, and hold your head up high. All the world's your runway when you've got the right dress.
But, when all your options are drab and ugly, and the beautiful dresses you lust over are several sizes out of your range, you can't help but feel a bit rejected. After gaining weight, I found that shopping wasn't as easy or as fun as it once was. That's why I'm so excited to announce that I have created the X Collection, an assortment of stunning dresses for size 12+ women with the Australia-based company, Fame & Partners.
The superhero-inspired collection was crafted to flatter your every curve. Named after my personal female heroes, the size 12 to 22 (Australian size 16 to 26) dresses have something to offer for every personal style and occasion. Best known for their elegant gowns and flirty cocktail dresses, Fame & Partners has always offered options up to size 22, but this is the first plus-size-specific collection they've created.
“Even though a large percentage of women fit the plus size category, a large proportion of retailers don’t cater for them with current, up-to-date styles and trends, making looking good and feeling fabulous a constant battle,” explained CEO & Co-Founder Nyree Corby. “[We] solved all that by collaborating with power plus size blogger, Liz Black [of P.S. It's Fashion], to create a fashion forward collection for the plus size girl.”
Priced from $199 to $329, the sultry styles range from on-trend crop-top sets and ethereal chiffon numbers to luxe maxis, and (my personal favorite) a flattering, bra-friendly design with a floaty skirt and bejeweled belt.
If the dresses themselves weren't enough of a reason to be excited, Fame & Partners is offering Refinery29 readers an exclusive 10% discount for the day of the launch! Just use promo code R2910 for the discount, and keep in mind: It's only good through September 6, 2014. Click on to see the entire lookbook — some of which are modeled by yours truly — and get ready to dazzle!
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