Put together a group of lovely ladies, a down to earth fashion designer, champagne and quality food at a fashionable restaurant in London and you have all ingredients for a glam night to remember.
This is not just the description of a dream night, but a really special evening hosted by British fashion label Marisota a few weeks ago at Kettner’s in the heart of Soho.
The theme of the evening was Shapeology – a new design breakthrough that combines cutting edge technology with high style and a host of new fitting techniques that help us look our very best no matter who, or where, we are.
It was the first time I heard this word and concept and it was quite refreshing to find out that a new fashion trend was launched appealing to normal curvy women (size 12 to 32) – clearly skinny shapes or size 0 are not included). I don’t like catwalks these days or fashion catalogues full of size zero models that portray the image of a woman who looks like she has been starving herself for a while. This has serious implications in the education of children and could lead to the wrong idea of body image.
It was even more refreshing to see normal women looking good in dresses that enhanced their curvy figures instead of hiding them. One of them was myself. Just check the dresses worn by myself in these pictures compared to the real model. I am curvy but still the Marisota dresses make me look quite good. The new AVA range is quite affordable and each of these pieces costs on average £50. It was recently launched by Marisota and exclusively created by Mark Heyes.
It is quite challenging to dress curvy and mature women without making them feel out of fashion and different. Marisota (online retailer) targets the plus-size and over-35 woman who love fashion and style.
By listening to over 700 women across the UK Mark Hayes together with the Marisota team has developed a number of creative solutions for some of our most common wardrobe dilemmas, particularly in problem areas such as the tummy and upper arms – the top two factors highlighted by market researchers. As a result, they’ve incorporated even more strategic stretch and support that enhance your best bits while shaping your silhouette, no matter whether you’re a size 12 or a 32.
Shapeology isn’t just a design element, but a state of mind that extends across the entire product range – from secret sculpting foundation garments to jeans that give you a perkier bum.
During dinner Mark Heyes talked to us about his passion for fashion and women: “I’ve always had a passion for fashion. Whether it’s shopping for a shoot, styling celebs, or checking out the new trends at fashion week. My favourite part of the job though has always been dressing women of every age, shape and size and showing them how incredible they can look.
When Marisota asked me to design a range for them I jumped at the chance. It allowed me to create a collection of flattering fashions that make the season’s trends wearable, whilst mixing in wardrobe essentials that will see you through year after year.
The Marisota team really know their stuff in terms of how to cut pieces to make the most of women’s figures and with their expertise and my fashion know-how, we have created a collection that I’m proud to put my name to.
The range, which is called Ava, features my take on clashing prints with a flattering peplum dress, a must have winter pink collarless coat and some great winter floral prints on tops, dresses and jeans. Each piece has been designed to make the most of the wearer’s figure and I hope that the Marisota customers will find that they can look fashionable and stylish whilst still wearing clothes that fit and flatter their shape.”
The cherry on the cake came at dessert time when Mark dressed us all in AVA clothes and we all took a photo in the Pink collarless coat in which we very happily walked out.
Can you ask for more from an evening in town?
