Plus Size Fashion by Indie Designer JaneBonbon
We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.
We're pleased to introduce you to designer Jane Collins, who specializes in beautiful handmade plus-size fashion. While Jane's online shop, JaneBonbon, is filled with dresses and skirts for voluptuous vixens, she also accepts custom orders and creates beautiful garments for all shapes and sizes.
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Tell us a little about yourself and your work. My name is Jane Collins, I'm a fashion designer and I live in a cottage in a small beach town near Vancouver, with my fiancee and my little dog Bon-Bon! I'm a real homebody and love to be at home, I work out of my house designing and making clothes for women of all sizes, but specialize in 14+. My label JaneBonbon has been around for about 9 years now. The clothes I make are very flattering to bigger women, they don't just cover the body, they highlight your curves and draw attention to the details that make women women.
How did you get started as a designer? I didn't like the clothes that came in my size so I decided that I would try and make my own. After I learned the very basics, I enrolled in a fashion design school, where I was taught pattern drafting and how to sew on a more professional level.
Any advice you would give to aspiring designers? Be competitive! Things aren't going to happen overnight, you need to keep pushing yourself and keep going through all the roadblocks that will be ahead!
What inspires your work? Fabrics, mostly.I LOVE fabric! I go to a lot of fabric stores and most of my time working is sourcing. I also like to watch movies, or sometimes I'll see a picture of a woman and I'll design a collection around her.
Who are your favorite designers? I like Moschino, Alabama Chanin, Nanette Lepore.
What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? At the moment, I'm obsessed with vintage gold jewellery, and gold rings or bracelets with snakes on them. Lanvin leather ballet flats in red patent leather, and 70's inspired a-line skirts. For makeup, I like the Burts Bees lip shimmer in raisin, Covergirl's Lashblast mascara, and Kiehls Original musk body lotion, it smells amazing!
Where can people find your work? Right now, I'm on etsy, Vivelafemme in Chicago, Planet Claire in Vancouver , Portobello West in Vancouver and am currently working on my online shop! I'm hoping to have that open before Christmas!
Anything else? Dress for your body type, not the trends!