Did you know we recently hosted a panel at Essence Festival? Ah yes! Thanks to our sponsor Lane Bryant, we were able to attend Essence Festival and host a panel discussion at the SOKO Market Stage inside the Convention Center! New Voice Madam CJ Walker Institute PACE Boot Campwe were able to pitch the idea for the panel to Essence and submit it.
The topic of our Essence Fest panel?
“Bringing positivity into the inclusive conversation of fashion.”
We’ve talked about opportunities in the plus-size industry, missing the plus-size community, change in leadership, and more, but at TCF, with so much discussion about inclusivity around Black designers, we wanted to be sure to include plus-size options that have been noticeably missing from the conversation.
The Louisiana heat meant I needed clothes that would keep me comfortable throughout the day and night. I needed light, airy, breathable, easy-going dresses, but also pajamas. Lane Bryant tie-waist midi dress This fun navy Ikat print is a great choice for me. Printed camisole and pants pajama set Sensual Petals Print.
As I made my way through the Essence Fest expo hall, I was feeling both nervous and excited. Once I was on stage for the panel, I was so happy because I felt comfortable and I loved my outfit. One less thing to worry about!
With plus size indie designer Jasmine Elder of Jibri and Gabrielle Richards, brand director at Trafilea Group (Shapermint, The Bod Con, True Kind) at my side, I moderated and we dove into a fantastic conversation.
I started with a question: “With 67% of American women identifying as plus size, it’s puzzling that when we look at clothes by Black designers and try to support them, we’re lucky if we get anything larger than an XL. Why do you think this is, and why is it important for Black designers to make plus sizes?”
Ultimately, this conversation was all about increasing access to plus-size fashion, and having plus-size designers and brand managers here to offer their insights helped provide context, challenges, and understanding, especially as both Jibri and Shapermint grew to 4X.
One of the next questions was about the manufacturing “challenges” that many cite as a reason not to enter plus sizes. We asked: “As a size-inclusive brand that caters to all sizes, you’re aware of the manufacturing, design and marketing challenges that are often cited as reasons not to enter plus sizes. We know there are brands that have mastered this process. Lane Bryant They’ve been around since 1904 and they get it (and are still expanding their size options)! You’re all new, so can you talk about how you overcame those challenges? What percentage of your business are plus sizes now?
Gabrielle did not disappoint. She spoke about how the brand is passionate about customer service, how the majority of their customers are positive, and how listening to their customers has allowed them to tweak, change, and improve their products to better serve the market.
As the panel concluded, I asked the panelists what can be done here: “How can the industry support them and hold them accountable for serving all their customers?” Jasmine Elder said it’s crucial to continue supporting independent designers who create and design for the plus-size community. Gabrielle echoed this, reiterating her commitment to sharing feedback with brands so they can serve us better.
Missed our panel discussion at Essence Fest? We streamed it live on IG, so you can watch it below. It was just under 30 minutes long!
The trip was a whirlwind of days filled with amazing people, memorable conversations, and humid 90+ degree weather. I was so excited that I’m already thinking about how TCF can do more to include plus size fashion at next year’s Essence Fest.
Thanks Lane Bryant And Shapermint made this panel and this much-needed conversation possible. While no one knows what plus-size fashion will look like next year, one thing is for sure: we’ll be back.
Have you been to Essence Fest? What would you like to see more of at Essence Fest and how would you like to see plus size fashion embraced?