It’s no secret how much I love Hayden-Harnett; I’ve posted about their bags/shoes/clothes many times. But I’ve not become OBSESSED with anything until now.
Enter the Thea Dress:
I have to admit, although I’ve been looking at this dress for awhile, I didn’t become obsessed with it until I got this week’s Hayden-Harnett IRL issue (where the picture on the right comes from). Seeing it on a “real person” made me think that it could work on me, especially since it’s belted. I love the contrasting layers, and the belt…it really makes the dress in my opinion.
This is the power of real-life modeling/outfit pictures – it can take an item that is so-so on a stick-thin model and make it incredibly appealing on a beautiful woman with a few curves, a tummy, and maybe some hips (I’m generalizing here, not specifically referencing Erin). Models are typically very small, and have very few curves – in my opinion, designers use barely-there models as hangers because they want the piece to be the focal point, NOT the woman. I want the WOMAN to be the focal point, and I want her clothing to enhance her inner & outer beauty.
That’s really the main reason I started Grechen’s Closet 5 years ago – to show larger-than-size-2 women that we can wear contemporary designers and work with edgy styles. I started doing reviews and posting outfits-of-the-day working with my personal style, and soon after, started getting comments and e-mails from women telling me that many of the things I review look better on me than on the boutique’s model!
I really do think women are ACHING to see clothing on different sized women, women with some curves (and oh my, I have curves!!!), short women…it allows them to identify more closely with the item(s) and really imagine wearing/buying it. I’m waiting for an online boutique or designer to showcase some of their pieces on three different sized models – maybe a 4, 8 & 12, I would shop there, and I’m willing to bet thousands of other women would too. (anyone listening???)
So bravo to Hayden-Harnett for doing this IRL series, I know you’ve inspired more than just me 
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I could not agree more, Grechen. I don’t think that embracing your curves means that you’re satisfied with being overweight and/or unhealthy.
Healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes–and it’s ridiculous that only one body type is used to create and sell clothing.
The Q’s last blog post..Happy Earth Day!
AMEN. thank you
Totally agree, Grechen. Props to you for starting this blog (and your many web sites) because you are talking about and to “real” women.
I love Hayden-Harnett almost as much as you (I almost feel traitorous when buying handbags from another designer, that’s how much I love their stuff!), and with their IRL series, they’ve done the same thing: made beautiful, real women look fabulous and put-together in an unstudied way. They make high-quality stuff and sell it at really reasonable prices. Hooray HH!
You will look fabulous in the Thea dress, I’m sure, as it will accentuate all the right parts. Can’t wait to see it on you.
Love the dress. Your blog and insights are great. Embrace your curves cause you know what, the straight stick chicks are gonna all change over time and with age!
hear, hear! and that HH dress is lovely, and would look great on a variety of body types. i always wonder why more designers don’t do the ‘IRL’ photoshoot more often. rachel comey, anne johnston albert’s martin and some other designers do a good job of at least showcasing ‘real-looking’ models on their lookbooks. we need more of this!
miss sophie’s last blog post..mother’s day flowers
I was going to open an online boutique last year. My plan was to have every piece modeled by three women. A thin tall woman, a shorter woman of average build, and a taller curvy woman. (or whoever else out of my friends wanted to model!). That way people could see how the items might look on a real person! I’m 5’3″ and it is so hard to figure out what clothes will look like on me!
I didn’t open the shop, but I still dream of it.
OMG, i would totally shop at your boutique!! i love that idea and i think other women would too. i hope someday you’ll be able to fulfill your dream…don’t let it go.