Style XL

There was a lot of love, passion and enthusiasm at StyleXL on Saturday. Leah organised what was a truly amazing day, a framework in which interactivity and spontaneity thrived unlike the phoney or pretentious events that I gave up taking part in London some years back. I really wasn't personally at my best, such has been my recent workload. My wife, Aoife and I arrived at 10.15, with a car full of goodies, but running on empty. I was lifted by the truly amazing Georgina Grogan and family, GG has a very painful back, and I can more than sympathise with her as my own back is in considerable pain. Nevertheless, Style XL got off to a very early start for us, we had brought about 60 or 70 old samples mainly in size 24, some unique and maybe 20 of these were snapped up before official opening time at 12. I was "gone" mentally or what I would describe as being "punchy" from a grueling work schedule of 12 hours a day at a minimum for many weeks now. But, meeting all the lovely ladies, some bloggers who I have got to know through their blogs got me through the day somehow. For me, my physical more importantly mental condition and shortage of time at the event, hampered focus or that was how I felt. It was the only negative of the day. I was pleased with the reaction to the few items I bought from new collection and would later go down the runway with a few designs which were outside my own comfort zone. The original plan was just to show one new style with a walk from Georgina Grogan. But it panned out in the 2 weeks ago that we would put on a little show. Tanya was asked if she wanted to stroll a dress that she had fallen in love with, Claire was deployed into action. We had decided, I think last Thursday to ask Leah to join us walking an "atonement" green velvet sweetheart neck maxi, a red carpet signature. GG like me not known for her patience, had to deal with 7 running order changes in 45 minutes. I think I asked the wonderful Haley to do the walk about 15 minutes before we were on- a really slinky off the shoulders frock featuring a printed stencil rose. The lady would rock it and wow this dress celebrated her curves. Paige who I have to say is another star plus size star in the making somehow managed 3 walks through 3 dress changes in the 8 minutes, so we got to see Naomi's leopard spot dress, the red wriggle midi dress and the tone purple bling velvet maxi. Nancy strolled the Nancy hour glass dress in purple and brought the rich ruby 1940's  "Madam" velvet maxi dress to life. Of course I messed up my own strut on the catwalk. And had on the spur of moment asked and she consented the lovely April Wilson to do a walk down the runway. April had just happened to be standing next to me watching our show wearing a previously unseen Scarlett & Jo design. I couldn't help myself April looked amazing, all the ladies looked amazing, so 7 changes in the running order plus April joining in plus me. I enjoyed it. Most particularly as  GG walked next Summer'16 signature dress and the very beautiful elegant Scarlett & Jo signature lace and velvet black maxi dress. Would love to have stayed for the evening and Sundays workshop Leah but I was shattered after an exhilarating day at StyleXL. You and your team are fantastic. Imagery courtesy of Alfie http://www.alfiebsmith.com/ [caption id="attachment_749" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Gifi tried something new with Georgina, here she is opening the show "au natural" in what Gifi describes as one of his best designs in years.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_741" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Paige, a star plus size star in the making was red hot in our v neck dress.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_744" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Nancy strolled the Nancy hour glass dress in purple.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_740" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Claire knew just how to work our blue dress.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_742" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The crowd went wild for Paige in our leopard number.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_747" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The lovely April working vibrant prints.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_745" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Tanya is a vision in velvet.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_739" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Leah walking an "atonement" green velvet sweetheart neck maxi, a red carpet signature[/caption] [caption id="attachment_746" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Hayley rocked this velvet maxi and wow this dress celebrated her curves.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_743" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Paige was velvet perfection in this hour glass dress.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_737" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Nancy brought the rich ruby 1940's "Madam" velvet maxi dress to life.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_738" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The Queen of Lace, in the signature black velvet dress from the red carpet collection.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_748" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Gifi attempting to take a catwalk bow but bad back won't bend.[/caption]