The Diversity Show and Curves in Couture Part 2

Natalie handed over to the gorgeous Pamela Stephenson who looked stunning in the second
Renaissance Creative Designdress of the evening

She charmed the audience with witty quips as to how much magnificent cleavage was on display and led us into the first catwalk show of Anna Scholz White Label collection.

Robyn Lawley looked amazing as she sashayed down the catwalk in a gorgeous sheer black and neon kaftan. You can see why this woman turned Australian Vogue on its head and why she was the first plus model in 52 years to grace their pages. I was so excited I've been to fashion shows before BUT this was the FIRST ever that I knew I could buy clothes from this set my heart racing then Lizzie Miller followed in another gorgeous kaftan. I can mentally imagine lots of far away beaches next year being inhabited by gorgeous full figured ladies wearing these

I have a long standing admiration for Anna Scholz no other plus size designer has given us more from her diffusion ranges for Debenhams and Simply Be, the luxury of the White Label to the edgy daytime looks of her Black Label, no other plus designer has given us as many options. Anna's clothes work for me because I am not just plus plus size I'm tall and a great many other clothing companies are just too short for me dresses in particular. I wore Anna's White Label Crepe Jersey Twist Strap dress with the Black Label Lace Cropped Jacket. I felt amazing I'm sure Anna has a large pot of fairy dust she uses when designing but anyway I digress. Their was such a lot of fierce femininity tempered with exquisite fluidity in these designs. As the models kept wallking out I was making a mental shopping list. I can not wait to try these clothes in particular the 2 dresses below. I have to say the White Label next season ladies all in all is mind blowing.

There was then a talk by Linda Scotson from the Advance Centre which from its creation in 1996 has dedicated itself to finding a way to not only advance the abilities of children with cerebral palsy and other brain injuries, but to actually reverse the structural and functional abnormalities.

We then had one of the most jaw dropping moments of the night the gorgeous Robyn Lawley wearing a knockout champagne coloured satin dress by up and coming designer Erin Lacy This young designer who graduated from the London College of Fashion in 2010 did work experience with both Evans and Anna Scholz. I had the pleasure of talking to Erin after the show and I have a feeling this woman is going to be a massive force within the plus size fashion industry. The structure of this dress blew me away. It's a shame there was only the one dress I'd have loved to see more but I'm going to be keeping my eye on her..

Early in the evening I was in the lobby of The Tabernacle there was a woman wearing the most gorgeous dress I can only say it was like a stained glass window with gorgeous blues, vibrant purples and ravishing greens. I thought it was amazing I asked the lady most politely where it was from and she said Carolyn de la Drapière. I and my friends Anna and Maria who I went with also got the chance to talk to her before the show so when it came for her section of the show I was really looking forward to it. She is a London based designer whom I had never heard of prior to this event. As the models wearing her clothes came out wearing her clothes I leaned in closer to view them. This lady is something very special.

For me seeing these designs was an absolute thrill. Gorgeous, feminine and wearable. The highlight for me was this gorgeous burgundy red dress

We then had the designs of Danielle Liane an up and coming student designer. Very sexy and sheer with a lot of naughtiness I can see her getting a lot of celebrity followers.

We then went into the final collection of the night Jill Alexander designs. The theme was very south american samba the models wore flowers in their hair and all of the models gave us plenty of attitude

The gorgeous Tocarra

Jill Alexander like Anna Scholz embodies her brand and has a well founded reputation for fantastic fit, tailoring and attention to detail.

I LOVE the colours and the fun in this collection. The dresses and jumpsuits looked full of energy. I can see a lot of those dresses in warm sultry locations or simply being worn for a night out for cocktails with the girls.

Fron bright green to red, vibrant prints to block colours this collection had a WOW factor























The final dress of this collection got cheers from the crowd and that was the gorgeous Tanya Gervasi in a stunning wedding dress. This was so special as this was the first and exclusive showing of this collection.

We then went into the world of the fantastic milliner Ilda Di Vico These hats were AMAZING true works of art. You can see why her website is called http://www.ascothats.net/ These creations were true statement pieces. If I ever have need of a hat this lady will be number 1 on my go to list

The final catwalk of the night fell to the winner of Britains Missing Top Model Kelly Knox wearing the final Renaissance Creative Design dress of the evening. It felt fitting that this was the final show and serves to act as a reminder that we need more diversity on the catwalk and in fashion generally.

The finale gave us each of the designers taking a wander up the catwalk with a model in one of their dresses. This led to cheers ringing out.

This event is something that will stay with me for a long time. The first and not final show of it's kind.

The fashion industry has to wake up and realise that the 47% of British women who are a size 16+ need as many clothing options as our slimmer sisters. Things are moving in the right direction. With the launches of the Simply Be shops this year we have greater options on the high street. Plus models like Robyn getting pages in Australian Vogue and Lizzie Miller stirring things up means we are getting plus editorial fashion shoots. Change is coming, it's not going to happen overnight but we are going the right way. I really hope that Caroline Rush from the British Fashion Council after seeing the show can do for London Fashion Week what's already happened at Liverpool Fashion Week. Having plus models and designers on the boards getting the same recognition as everyone else.