Interview with Designer Ashley Nell Tipton

Hello!  Today I want to introduce you to a very special guest, Ashley Nell Tipton.  I met her at the “Curves Work” fashion show at Working Wardrobes recently where she was featured as a guest speaker and showed her newest plus-size summer collection.  One of the most memorable moments from that night was when she said, 

“It’s important to take chances and not care so much about what other people think.”  -Ashley Nell Tipton

That was my favorite part of the evening, besides seeing her new collection of course!

Ashley learned how to sew on her grandmother’s sewing machine when she was seven and continued on to get her AA Degree in Fashion Design and Technology.  She has been featured in: USA Today, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Brit + Co, The Curvy Fashionista, Fashionista, Crain’s, FabUPlus, In Style, Racked, People, and the LA Times.

Ashley is also the winner of Project Runway Season14 and had a contract with JC Penny as the face and designer of their “Plus-Size Boutique”.  She also has her own collection of sewing patterns for Simplicity, has her own jewelry line through K&M accessories, and has just released her new line of eyewear.   She recently launched her own collection as well. 

So here we go…

Hi Ashley!  Thank you for being a guest on the blog today.  First off, let’s talk about your pink hair.  How long have you had your lovely pink hair and how did you decide that pink was the color for you? 

I started the new year with pink hair. I wanted something different, something to “refresh” my look.

I read a few of your blog posts and was so touched my eyes started to water.  I especially enjoyed reading the one that covered “Body Positivity”.  Body image is a touchy subject to cover these days without offending someone in some way or another. How would you describe yourself, your approach to talking about body image publicly, and how do you handle opposition? 

I am now comfortable in my skin. I wasn’t always this way. It has taken me a lot of personal work to get to a point where I don’t care what others think about me. Everyone has the freedom to think what they want and I have no control over their thoughts. I only have control over what I think. I think I like myself. In fact I love myself!!

What got you interested in starting your own clothing line and what kinds of considerations did you make when planning out the details of your line? 

I wanted to start my own line because there is a big void in the market when it comes to plus size clothing. I am here to fill that void!!

What inspired you to design this collection and what sizes do they come in?

From 1x-5x. I wanted to design items that I would wear that do not exist. Body Suits and Pants!!!

How would you describe your new summer line and what is the price range? 

Sexy, Comfortable and Colorful. From 39-129.

I love the fact that you use your platform to reach other plus-size women who have gone through similar experiences relating to self-esteem, body positivity, and the struggle to find clothes that fit plus-size women and that you speak openly about that.  Can you tell me about a time when someone really connected with your story? 

I am constantly getting response on my social media regarding the joy my line has brought to people. This is why I am in business. This is the joy I get in my life—knowing that my creations are making a difference out there.

Where can we buy your clothes, accessories, and eyewear?

ashleynelltipton.com

Where can we find you? 

        Instagram: Ashley Nell Tipton Designs

Blog: Ashley Nell Tipton

Facebook: Ashley Nell Tipton Designs

  

Twitter: Ashley Nell Tipton

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and collection with us Ashley!  You have definitely inspired me to take more chances and to keep working on loving myself more, I think we could all be better at loving ourselves more for who we are.  Thank you for making a difference in the fashion community and shining the light not only on the need for plus-size fashion but also on body positivity.

Interview with Paola Laurentano from Express Yourself

Translated By Google Translate to Italian

Hello! Today I want to introduce you to a very special guest from the blog Express Yourself.  Her name is Paola Lauretano and she is a fashion blogger from Italy.  However, you wouldn’t know it if you visited her website because she is an avid traveler and is constantly being photographed in high fashion outfits amidst picturesque destinations throughout Europe.  If you want to see high style and sophistication in a beautiful setting, you’ll want to follow Paola.  So, here we go…

Ciao! Oggi voglio presentarti un ospite molto speciale dal blog Esprimi te stesso. Il suo nome è Paola Lauretano e lei è una fashion blogger dall'Italia. Tuttavia, non lo sapresti se visitassi il suo sito web perché è un'avida viaggiatrice e viene costantemente fotografata in abiti di alta moda in mezzo a destinazioni pittoresche in tutta Europa. Se vuoi vedere alto stile e raffinatezza in un ambiente bellissimo, ti consigliamo di seguire Paola. Quindi, eccoci qui ...

Hi Paola! Thank you for sharing your time with us today.  I’m always super impressed by how you style your outfit combinations.  You are so stylish! 

Ciao Paola! Grazie per aver condiviso il tuo tempo con noi oggi. Sono sempre super impressionato da come stili le tue combinazioni di outfit. Sei così elegante!

How did you first become interested in fashion and why did you decide to start a fashion blog?

Come ti sei interessato alla moda e perché hai deciso di aprire un blog di moda?

I started blogging in a virtual space 5 years ago. But I've always been passionate about fashion.  I've worked as a model in the past and for different stylists... fashion is my life, always!

Ho iniziato ad occuparmi di blogging, con uno spazio virtuale tutto mio 5 anni fa. Ma sono sempre stata appassionata di moda, ho lavorato come indossatrice e fotomodella in passato, per diversi stilisti… la moda è la mia vita, da sempre!

How would you describe your personal style?

Come descriveresti il ​​tuo stile personale?

I would call my style "effortless chic" and trendy, but always with that original and personal touch that makes it exclusively "mine".  I am strongly convinced that accessories play a fundamental role in defining a personal style.  My inspiration comes from street style and catwalks, of course!  I like breaking the rules of fashion and being creative, but always with taste! Never forget that a woman with great style does not blindly follow trends.  Having style and being fashionable are two very different concepts.

Il mio stile lo definirei “effortless chic”, di tendenza, ma sempre con quel tocco originale e personale che lo rende esclusivamente “mio”. Sono fortemente convinta che gli accessori giocano un ruolo fondamentale nella definizione di uno stile personale. La mia ispirazione viene dallo Street style e dalle passerelle, of course. Mi piace rompere le regole della moda ed essere creativa, ma sempre con gusto! Non bisogna mai dimenticare che una donna con un grande stile non segue ciecamente le tendenze, perché avere stile ed essere alla moda sono due concetti molto diversi.

Who are your favorite designers? My favorite designers

Chi sono i tuoi stilisti preferiti?

My favorite designers have always been Dolce and Gabbana.  I love their ability to make women look so feminine.

I miei stilisti preferiti, da sempre, sono Dolce e Gabbana. Amo la loro capacità di rendere  così femminile la donna.  

I see that you travel to beautiful destinations throughout the year, where is your favorite location to travel to and why?

Vedo che viaggi verso destinazioni bellissime durante tutto l'anno, dov'è la tua posizione preferita per viaggiare e perché?

Yes, I love traveling, and stay literally in awe in the face of the wonders of architecture or nature. Life is not meant to be lived in one place, I want to see the world.  I want to experience it all. It is the only way to learn from life and see things from another perspective. I don’t have a favorite destination.  I am fascinated by the capitals of the whole world, both the tropical destinations, the wild beaches, and the most unknown islands.

Si, amo viaggiare, e rimanere ogni volta letteralmente a bocca aperta dinanzi alle meraviglie dell’architettura o della natura. La vita non è fatta per essere vissuta in un solo luogo, voglio vedere il Mondo. Voglio viverlo tutto. E’ l’unico modo per imparare dalla vita e vedere le cose da un’altra prospettiva. Non ho destinazioni preferite, mi affascinano sia le capitali di tutto il mondo, sia le mete tropicali, le spiagge selvagge e le  isole più sconosciute.

Your makeup always looks flawless and you have amazing skin! What is your favorite lipstick and skincare products?

Il tuo trucco sembra sempre impeccabile e hai una pelle incredibile! Qual è il tuo prodotto preferito per il rossetto e la cura della pelle?

I worked in RAI (the Italian state television) as a TV show host as I said before, I was a model, so I spent hours and hours in makeup in the hands of expert make-up artists.  I got all the tricks of the job from them.  I know how to enhance my features and get a perfect skin covering which always seems naturally smooth. For a special occasion, I never give up red lipstick, my favorite is the "Rouge pur Couture" by Yves Saint Laurent. I care a lot about my skin, which I always keep perfectly clean and nourished.  I could never give up my eye contour cream.  My favorite at the moment is "Sublimage" by Chanel (but I change them often because the skin should not become accustomed to always getting used to the same product).

Ho lavorato in RAI (la televisione di stato italiana) come conduttrice di un programma televisivo e, come ti ho già detto, ero una modella, per cui passavo ore e ore al trucco tra le mani di esperti make-up artists.  Ho carpito da loro tutti i trucchi del mestiere, so come valorizzare i miei lineamenti ed ottenere una perfetta copertura della pelle, che sembra sempre naturalmente levigata. Per un’occasione speciale non rinuncio mai al rossetto rosso, il mio preferito è il “Rouge pur Couture” di Yves Saint Laurent. Curo molto la mia pelle, che mantengo sempre perfettamente pulita e nutrita, non potrei mai rinunciare ad una crema contorno occhi, la mia preferita al momento è “Sublimage” di Chanel (ma le cambio spesso, perché la pelle non deve assuefarsi, abituandosi sempre allo stesso prodotto).    

I see that you “twin” a lot with your daughter.  How often do you and your daughter “twin” on the daily? 

Vedo che tu "gemelli" molto con tua figlia. Quanto spesso tu e tua figlia "gemella" quotidianamente?

I really like this fashion trend of the "mini-me".  Now it's a very current fashion phenomenon, but I have to say that my Becky and I always love playing with style, creating outfits with garments that have a fit suitable for both. We mothers are more and more careful to have an impeccable look, a style that can be all ours and our little ones must not be less.  I do not like to exaggerate, but rather elaborate this tendency by focusing only on some detail, avoiding to be dressed the same in all respects. It is often sufficient to coordinate the prints or choose similar accessories. We adopt the "Mini-me" style when we go to a party together, for example.

Mi piace molto questa tendenza moda del “Mini-me”, ora è un fenomeno moda molto attuale, ma devo dire che da sempre io e la mia Becky adoriamo giocare con lo stile, creando outfits con capi che abbiano una vestibilità adatta ad entrambe. Noi mamme siamo sempre più attente ad avere un look impeccabile, uno stile che possa essere tutto nostro, e quello dei nostri piccoli non deve essere da meno. Non amo esagerare, ma piuttosto rielaboro questa tendenza concentrandomi solo su qualche dettaglio, evitando di risultare vestite uguali in tutto e per tutto. Spesso è sufficiente coordinare le stampe o scegliere accessori simili. Adottiamo lo stile “Mini-me” quando andiamo ad una festa insieme, ad esempio.

What do you enjoy most about fashion blogging and advice would you give fashion bloggers who are just starting out?

Cosa ti piace di più del fashion blogging e dei consigli che daresti ai fashion blogger che stanno appena iniziando?

Blogging gives me a great opportunity to share my passion for fashion with the blogosphere. A really great passion, which gives me the strength to continue, because it is not easy to balance this activity with all the rest: blogging at high levels, posting interesting content, with professional and captivating photos, requires a lot of work and sacrifice. However, share my great passion and meet people from all over the world with my same interest, to participate in the most beautiful fashion shows, parties and events and see my looks published by the most important fashion magazines, but above all see the ever increasing number of followers who love my style is a great satisfaction. I hope to continue to inspire more and more people!

To the fashion bloggers who have just started I want to remember that blogging does not just mean getting a lot of clothes and accessories for free from fashion companies. It's definitely a great opportunity to make money, but you have to put a lot of scribbles on it because a blog takes up a lot of your time and you need to be ready for hard work. It is essential to do everything with great professionalism, but more than anything else you are yourself and love what you do!

Fare blogging mi da una grande opportunità di condividere con la blogosfera la mia passione per la moda. Una passione davvero grande, che mi da la forza di continuare, perché non è assolutamente facile bilanciare questa attività con tutto quanto il resto: fare blogging a livelli alti, postando contenuti interessanti, con foto professionali e accattivanti, richiede molto lavoro e sacrificio. Tuttavia, condividere la mia grande passione e conoscere gente da tutto il mondo con il mio stesso interesse, poter partecipare alle più belle sfilate di moda, ai parties e agli eventi e vedere i miei looks pubblicati dalle riviste di moda più importanti, ma soprattutto vedere il numero sempre crescente di followers che amano il mio stile, è una grande soddisfazione. Spero di continuare ad ispirare sempre più gente!

Alle fashion bloggers che hanno appena iniziato voglio ricordare che fare blogging non significa solo ricevere un sacco di abiti e accessori gratis dalle aziende di moda. E’ sicuramente una grande opportunità di guadagno, ma bisogna metterci tanto scrificio, perché un blog occupa un sacco del tuo tempo e bisogna essere pronti ad un duro lavoro. E’ fondamentale fare tutto con grande professionalità, ma più di ogni altra cosa siate voi stesse e amate ciò che fate!

Where can we find you?

Dove possiamo trovarti?

Website is:Express Yourself

Facebook contact: Facebook

Instagram page: Instagram

Thank You Paola!  I really enjoyed hearing about you, your advice on blogging, and always enjoy seeing your high fashion style and beautiful photography from your travels across the globe.  I can't wait to see what you will do next!

Grazie Paola! Mi è piaciuto molto sentirti parlare di te, dei tuoi consigli sui blog e mi piace sempre vedere il tuo stile di alta moda e la tua bellissima fotografia dai tuoi viaggi in tutto il mondo. Non vedo l'ora di vedere cosa farai dopo!

Meaningful Mondays- Your Wedding Day

Hello!  How is your week starting off?  I wanted to ask you a question...if you were to get married, what is something special that you would like to include in your wedding plans, or if you are already married, what was something special that you planned on your wedding day?  Please leave a comment below.