Anna Scholz Blog

Kirsten James wrote in to us, “It was over 100 degrees here in Dallas this past week,-end and the horse print maxi was perfect for the Junior Players’ outdoor production of Romeo & Juliet!  I am the Executive Director and the Producer of the production. … I received many, many compliments on my dress!”

“I’m currently on holiday in Florida, enjoying wearing all my lovely AS clothes,” Amanda wrote in. “Here I am outside our villa with my husband, wearing my harem pants and summer silk strappy top which is so cool in the humid weather.”

I was disturbed to read about a survey recently which found that nearly 50 percent of American women and a quarter of men would gladly give up sex for the summer in exchange for not gaining 10 pounds!

In fact, the survey found that Americans were willing to give up a variety of pleasures in exchange for staying slimmer. For example, recession or not, many Americans would rather lose weight than get a promotion at work. Many would also give up their mobile phones, TV or sex for a flat tummy

Conducted by Nutrisystem weight loss program, the survey took place across the US among 1,001 adults. The results are thought to be representative of the general priorities of the nation. Perhaps this is representative of the UK as well?

Seriously, how sad are we? Where are our priorities? What about fun, joy, happiness, food, SEX !!!  Life is too short.

–Anna

To read the full article, click here.

Harrods disappointed many recently by closing the doors of its plus-size department. On the plus side (pun intended), high-end US department store Saks Fifth Avenue has begun offering plus sizes in some of its designer brands.

Starting with the Autumn-Winter 2010 season, Saks will stock larger sizes from luxury brands Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, YSL, Alexander McQueen, Roberto Cavalli and others. Shoppers will be able to purchase these designers in size 14 and possibly up to size 20, depending on the label.

The larger sizes will only be available in New York and the quantities will be limited. But if it works in Manhattan, larger sizes will follow in Saks outposts throughout the rest of the US.

In a recent Independent online article about the size development at Saks, Anna was quoted as saying that she believes such moves do mean that the fashion industry’s “unhealthy attitude” is changing. “You can see this over the last six months in particular with the launch of websites such as Vogue Curvy fronted by the plus-size model Crystal Renn,” Anna told reporter Carola Long of The Independent.

A selection of Anna’s latest plus-size designer styles is currently available on the Saks online shop– hopefully on the shopfloors soon too!

To read more, click here.

This is a great little spread from the August issue of Cosmopolitan Australia. Courtney and Laura Wells are both models but because Laura is plus-size, these sisters are usually kept separate in the fashion mags due to their different sizes.

The sisters have explained that they grew up in the same house and ate the same food but ended up different sizes and with different labels.

Here they model the latest trends on their different bodies.

To read more, click here.

Last month, our designer, Penny, and our sales manager, Darren, travelled to Düsseldorf for the CPD fashion fair to show the upcoming Spring-Summer 2011 collection. Overall, it was a good turnout. They met lots of new people and saw some old friends as well.

Here are a few teasers…

From left to right: Anna Alessio, Model; Penny, designer; Darren, sales manager; Jaq & Emma from Emma Plus in Brighton. Trying on the S/S '11 parrot print -- hot trend alert!

Lies sent us this gorgeous photo of her on her wedding day. “It was a smashing success,” she said. “Had lots of compliments!”

We have no doubt!

Customers: Submit your photos now for the August competition.  Send us snaps of you in your favourite Anna Scholz looks and be entered to win a £100 online shopping voucher. You can enter more than once, so keep sending ‘em! We’d love to see you.

Crystal Renn has a fabulous spread in the August issue of French Vogue. The story was photographed by David Sims and styled by Emmanuelle Alt and Carine Roitfeld. The mood is dark, moody and very sultry with Crystal wearing looks by Loewe, Alexander McQueen, Dolce & Gabbana, Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Alberta Ferretti and Martin Margiela.

Though Crystal spends much of her time discussing plus-size issues or defending her fluctuating size, these photos prove that, no matter what, she brings it as a model!

Starting this month, Harrods department store is closing its plus-size clothing department.  It is a sad day indeed.  Harrods was the last upscale department store in London to carry designer plus-size womenswear of a quality and calibre that many curvy women had come to rely on.

It’s sad for Anna Scholz as a company, of course. We have enjoyed doing business with Harrods for the past 12 years.  Our collections have always sold extremely well there too. There obviously is a huge demand. So who decided to close the doors to many curvy shoppers?

But this shut-down is also a sad comment on retailers’ priorities. With Selfriges having closed its plus department several years ago, and now Harrods doing the same, I am wondering if our high-end department stores don’t value their plus-size customer. It seems like madness to exclude 47% of the population from the opportunity to spend money in your store. This customer not only buys clothes but accessories, perfume, cosmetics…take away clothes and you alienate them on all levels. Every woman deserves to have choice and to dress fashionably!

Harrods Puts the Red Light on Retail for Curvy Shoppers

With the rise of curvy models in the media, we are moving a step up. It’s strange, then, that exactly at this time our shopping options are becoming even more limited.

In the meantime, support the shops that are standing firm and catering to your size or visit my web shop at www.annascholz.com.

—Anna