The Curvy Coach

fff-week-2009

Welcome to part 2 of 6 Essential Events for the Plus Size Designer/Boutique Owner. If you haven’t done already, be sure to check out part 1 and have your annual marketing calendar handy too. Here are a few more events that I think you should definitely make room for:

4.              Fashion Shows  

Fashion Shows are a MUST for plus size designers and store owners. It is one of the best ways to showcase your products and attract lots of attention and more importantly designers. You can get creative with this and choose to do a virtual fashion show online or a show at your local high school auditorium. The details of the event really boils down to your point of view and the resources you have available to pull it off.

On another level, plus size fashion has been growing exponentially outside of the typical “Big-box” companies. Even though many of the larger corporations are closing down their plus sized lines, independent designer offerings continue to skyrocket. In fact, we can now give New York Fashion Week a run for their money with our very own Full Figured Fashion Week (FFF Week). The Full Figured Fashion Week is pioneered by the lovely Ms. Gwen DeVoe whom I’ve had the pleasure to meet and share ideas with. Whether you decide to become a sponsor, showcase your designs, become a vendor, or simply attend to network, this is an absolutely must attend.

5.         Empowerment Based Conferences

 There are quite a few size acceptance organizations that host conferences on a regular basis to help educate the workforce and community at large about the negative effects/impacts of size discrimination such as ISAA and those who help to improve the quality of life for larger persons like NAAFA. These conferences should be added to your calendar whether they reach your target customer or not because it helps you to stay at the forefront of where the plus size community is moving and what’s the universal message we want to share with the world via advocacy, public education, and even lawful actions.

Events that speaks more to the individual empowerment of curvy women such as Project Curve Appeal and the BBW Empowerment Cruise allows you get inspired, educated, and grow to embrace your curves in a professional yet fun setting. As business owners, it’s especially important to be surrounded by your peers whom share a similar vision and open the door to being supportive of one another.

 6.      Plus Size Model Casting Call

This one is definitely a must for designers. There’s nothing more annoying that not being able to see real sized women in clothing that’s supposedly designed for them. Whether you ask your friends or put together a full-fledged casting call, please make sure to reflect the image of your customer  Shopping online or offline, your customers always want to know how your apparel will fit their body type. Don’t keep them guessing.

If you’re reading this then I’m sure you know there’s an abundance of aspiring plus-sized models who are seeking opportunities to grow their portfolio. Invite them to be a model for your designs or some of the best selling products in your store.

7.      BONUS!

I just had to add one more essential event even though I have many more ideas. Your business is not only about self-expression but it’s about giving customers what they want. While holiday sales are a dime a dozen throughout the same time – every single year, why not take the time out to truly show your customers how much you appreciate them by having a Customer Appreciation Special? 

Once again, you can use online techniques such as email marketing to truly thank the customers who have bought from you. A unique way to do this is to feature your customers wearing your designs/products in the email or on your website and send them a coupon for their next purchase. You can also use traditional methods for your storefront  and mail coupons to your customers. What’s the key thing to having this type of event? You must be able to track and contact your customers! If you’re not at least collecting emails  of those who opened their wallets to you, you’re doing yourself and your customers a big disservice.  I truly hope that’s not you 

P.S. Please share below which events you plan to have as part of your marketing calendar, I’d love to hear your thoughts!