Designer Spotlight: One Stop Plus Inclusive Size Clothing |EP 152

If you’ve listened to our podcast before, you will know that in a previous episode (EP 126), we had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Supermodel and Life Coach, EMME, who disrupted the fashion and beauty industries three decades ago by advocating for inclusive beauty ideals and body acceptance - a cause that has only gained even more significant ground today.

EMME, the Division 1 college athlete who put “athletic curvy” on the map and rose to fame in the mid-1990’s as the world’s first plus-size supermodel, is once again shedding light on size inclusivity in the fashion industry. 

Fast Forward: She is now teaming up with her alma mater Syracuse University and online plus-size retailer OneStopPlus (OSP), the nationally recognized advocate for body positivity, health and wellness. OneStopPlus is promoting fashion inclusivity in the classroom with the 8th annual Fashion Without Limits (FWL) design competition where our new bestie, Zahir, was a judge.

(Put a sticky-note on that, because will be having EMME back on the podcast very soon.)

But for now, we are here this week to celebrate her efforts to inspire a new generation of up-and-coming fashion designers – by welcoming this year’s winner of the Fashion Without Limits competition – Nina Chen, and introducing Zahir Babvani, head of design for OneStopPlus.

Emme enlisted the help of fellow advocate and veteran plus-size fashion designer Zahir Babvani to inspire a new generation of up-and-coming fashion designers to put their talents to work for the silent majority -- the estimated 70 percent of American women who wear sizes 12 and up. #DAMNSTRAIGHT

As head designer at OSP, he is responsible for the company’s growing roster of popular plus-size brands, including Woman Within, Jessica London, June+Vie, Roaman’s, Catherines, and Eloquii. Babvani held a rousing virtual masterclass on plus-size design and style for the University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts Fashion Design class of 2024. #lovingthisjourney

Offering essential business insights and tips for designing clothes plus-size women want to wear, Babvani challenged the group of future designers to create the next “it” style for curvy women, keeping in mind today’s inflation-weary shoppers, the heightened demand for versatility, and the customer’s need for a superhero multi-tasker piece to serve all her style needs, from casual to work to dressy. 

More than 20 students competed for the chance to have their original designs manufactured and brought to market for fall 2023. #OMGGG

The winning designer, Nina Chen, found inspiration for her “Tulip Dress” in nature’s bountiful curves. Chen’s modern-classic black dress, which is made of Ponte knit fabric, is tailored to flatter all body shapes. The “Tulip Dress” is slated to debut on the OneStopPlus marketplace this fall as part of an exclusive collaboration between OneStopPlus and Emme’s Fashion Without Limits groundbreaking partnership with Syracuse University. 

The winning garment will feature special hangtags giving Nina, the student designer name recognition and a taste of fashion designer fame, all while also bolstering the FWL pro