Archive | June, 2011

Q&A: Anne Shea of Sarah Vain and Tall

23 Jun

Meet the breathtaking bombshell Anne Shea—former academic, businesswoman, class-act, tall role model AND designer behind the fabulous Sarah Vain and Tall line—a capsule collection of  timeless, perfectly-crafted dresses for a variety of tall body types. Sarah Vain and Tall has been in the works since Anne’s fashion-savvy youth, and the line is featured both online and  in-store at Glamazon Shoes in Ascot Vale, Victoria (Australia). Tall lovelies worldwide, don’t fear—Anne kindly offers free international shipping on Sarah Vain and Tall dresses! She has a gem of a blog as well, so please read up on her latest projects here.

Designer and the next Bond Girl: Anne Shea of Sarah Vain and Tall

Q: Tell us a little bit about your background: where you grew up, whether you have siblings, where you went to university/what you studied, etc.

I grew up in country Victoria, Australia, with tall parents and a tall “little” brother.  We lived in a small town, and I was a bit of a strange kid — obsessed with reading novels, spending all my money on Vogue.  It was a special kind of torture I subjected myself to in those years, dressed in men’s jeans and huge tee shirts, cutting out pictures of couture!

When it was time to leave for Uni I wanted the same things that a lot of ‘odd’ kids from small towns want — the freedom to do, say, make and wear exactly what I wanted!  I studied literature and costume and planned at first to work in the theatre.  I wound up working in a huge research library, and created Sarah Vain and Tall on the side — accidentally perfect.

    Q: What inspired the creation of Sarah Vain and Tall?

Even as a teenager I knew the world needed amazing clothes for tall women — something out of the ordinary.  However I really just made things for myself and friends until social media and easy online shopping came along.  Suddenly it was easy to connect with tall women all over the world and I could have my own online store.  I discovered that I was not the only tall woman who wanted something different, something the established tall stores were not (and are not) offering.

Think of it this way: only about 2% of women are over 5’11″.  That’s a tiny number in a small Australian town, and a huge number when we’re connected worldwide.

So the advent of blogging and Facebook and Twitter was the catalyst for me.  I realized that I could make the dresses I craved and sell them to a small number of women who love them just as much as I do.

I especially love the way this lets me connect with people — especially with girls who are going through the horrible teenage years where being different is just what you don’t want.  I love being different and I hope that our conversations help in some way.  It’s immensely rewarding and I love it.

    Q: Taking into account your current selection of dresses, would you mind running through the four styles and indicating particular flattery points and (tall) body shapes each one fits? 

Of course!  I am trying to make classic dresses that won’t date, and to create for a number of different shapes.  The Audrey and Veruschka are slim line, stretch dresses designed as work-to-evening wear. Both of these dresses are utterly perfect on column shapes and hourglass figures, especially when they’re belted.

Then there are curvy girls like me: I am your classic pear shape!!  The Kenya wrap dress is built for women like me.  Seriously, curvy girls stop traffic in this dress. It’s fantastic to go from feeling too big in the butt (oh hi, denim manufacturers!), to being just woman enough for the dress.

The Betty dress is something completely different, a party classic that’s all sweet Japanese cotton on the outside and all businesslike structure on the inside.  It’s great for anyone from a column to a pear, because it’s got room for curves but if you don’t have any, it’ll fake some for you.  This dress is my favourite right now and I’m wearing it with a little red cardigan.

    Q: Do you have plans to further develop the Sarah Vain and Tall line and add additional separates? And might you sell your designs in United States and UK boutiques, or host pop-up shops internationally?

Oh, yes indeed.  I have deliberately been growing slowly, so that I can refine the fit and quality of the garments I sell.  I started out selling only in person, then online, and now I have one amazing stockist — Glamazon in Ascot Vale, Melbourne (www.glamazonshoes.com.au).

I am definitely planning on more stockists in the future, as long as they are the right stockists.  Pop up stores would also be a lot of fun.  Many people don’t know this but I love to come out and meet groups of friends (or basketball teams!) and show them my clothing.  The thing they always say is “it’s so much nicer on!”  And it makes me all teary when I can fit a girl who has been thinking she is wrong for all the fashionable clothes — when the clothes are simply wrong for her.

    Q: What are some “style staples” for you? How would you classify your wardrobe?

My style staples are classic dresses and huge costume jewels — we tall girls can go bold and I can’t walk past a vintage store without checking out their accessories.  There are often a few amazing pieces lurking around that smaller girls have had to leave on the shelf.

Most important to me is to buy and look after classic garments that I can play with when the fashions change.  There are so very many ways to style a black dress or a wrap and I honestly could not care less what skinny jean is “in” right now.

Q: What are some of your favorite tall-friendly stores/boutiques in the Melbourne area?

I love Glamazon in Ascot Vale.  At the moment they’re my only stockist.  Mira (the owner of the store) and I get on fabulously because we both share the same attitude — there is no reason why tall clothing should be boring. She stocks the most amazing things and really goes out of her way to find cute shoes in big sizes.

Because lots of tall girls have missed out on ‘normal’ shopping, we often don’t have a clear idea of where to shop or what looks good on us.  For that reason I also steer a lot of my clients towards personal styling, and in Melbourne that means Styled By Sally (www.styledbysally.com.au).  Sally McKinnon is 6’0″ tall and she can fit you out or revamp your wardrobe in three hours flat.  A personal stylist makes shopping easy and you often save money when you shop with their VIP cards!

    Q: What piece of style advice would you give tall women?

 Spend smarter money on fewer clothes.  Most people are surprised to find out that I don’t own many clothes at all — three or four skirts and blouses, a handful of dresses, one coat, a small collection of enormous jewellery.  But I love each and every piece and each and every piece fits me.  For me, after years of buying things that don’t fit, that’s heaven.

Thank you, Anne! Be sure to visit Sarah Vain and Tall and snap up a designer dress for yourself! Also, be sure to sign up to win your dream dress from SVT by June 28th—this is one amazing giveaway—and follow SVT on Facebook and via Monthly Newsletter.

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Tall Style Essential: The Leather Jacket

9 Jun

Over the years, I’ve owned three leather jackets—one a roomy black car coat; another a beyond-tight red blazer; the third a black motorcycle jacket I bought from a church rummage sale. These jackets remarkably tracked not only some of my fashion phases, but more tellingly, my internal states—the car coat coincided with my freshman and sophomore years of college as I attempted to channel an urban sophistication counter to my country upbringing; the blazer was a senior year of college impulse purchase after I dyed my hair a fiery red and nervously contemplated the great unknown beyond dorm walls; and the motorcycle jacket followed a rough-break up, and a phase of wearing scuffed Converse sneakers, black eyeliner, and punk-rock-blasting headphones. Leather, after all, is tough—literally a second skin—and a thicker one at that.

All these coats have since moved on to other owners—as none of them fit my elongated body or tastes particularly well—and all three only fit my meager budget (all being under $75). This year, with some of my birthday spoils—I invested in a new leather jacket—one that fits me now—and should age with me gracefully. By one of my favorite “this-surprisingly-fits-off-the-rack” designers Elie Tahari, my new leather jacket is buttery-soft and cashew-colored with minimal detailing save for a flattering peplum ruffle. And better yet, the sleeves are long enough at 27”! Since I’ve always recommended a leather jacket as a versatile, year-round staple to my clients, I’ve compiled some of my favorite styles and styling recommendations for talls below—complete with a vegetarian, ethical faux-leather option.

L to R: LTS Leather Biker Jacket; Elie Tahari Ruffle Leather Jacket; Tall Girl Faux-Leather Jacket

Long Tall Sally Zip Leather Biker Jacket, $239.00: This taupe leather jacket is edgy without being trendy, and would unquestionably offer long-enough sleeves and torso fit. Since biker/motorcycle jackets are on the more ‘utilitarian’- side, try pairing one with a feminine floral dress; ruffled top and close-fitting jeans; or sequins. That’s right, sequins—leather provides a surprising-yet-spot-on juxtaposition for a dose of glitz.

Elie Tahari ‘Ingrid’ Ruffle Jacket, $298.00: Though Tahari doesn’t deal specifically in tall clothing, his cuts frequently boast longer sleeves and torsos—and he’s an expert in achieving streamlined femininity in his separates. This jacket is one part angular silhouette; one part girly charm—and it would go splendidly with a jewel-toned bandage dress or a black dress pant, fitted oxford, and strappy heels.

Tall Girl Faux-Leather Jacket, $79.95: As a vegetarian option, try this re-imagined cargo jacket in a remarkably leather-like faux leather. In universally-flattering black, this jacket is quintessentially boheme-cool, and would be stunning with a tucked-in slouchy tee, denim pencil skirt, and ankle boots OR worn nonchalantly over a simple cotton tank and silky, printed shorts with flat sandals.

Happy shopping tall lovelies, and email me with any questions as to how to style a leather jacket or blazer!

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Q&A: Lameka Weeks of HEIGHT GODDESS

6 Jun

Meet Lameka Weeks, the smart, savvy, and gorgeous woman behind HEIGHT  GODDESS—the tall women’s go-to resource for impeccably stylish basics. HEIGHT GODDESS has been in the works for well over a decade, and Lameka is dedicated to creating American-made clothing with a standard of quality that rivals that of high-end department store lines. She is an advocate for tall women in the fashion and retail industry and an inspiration to us all—the epitome of being a truly divine ‘height goddess’ herself!

The stunning Lameka Weeks of HEIGHT GODDESS

Q: Tell us a little bit about your background—where you grew up, where you went to college/what you studied, where you work, some hobbies/interests…

I grew up in Alabama, but have been in Dallas for about 10 years now and love it! I attended Auburn Montgomery University in Alabama, where I played basketball (on a basketball scholarship). Before starting HEIGHT GODDESS, I worked in corporate sales for companies like Black & Decker, Johnson & Johnson and Michelin. But since high school, I’ve dreamed of starting a tall women’s clothing business.

Q: The million dollar question: How tall are you, and have you always been tall?

I’m 6’1”, and was usually the tallest in the class! I’m not sure I realized how tall I was until about 2 years ago! My height has never been uncomfortable for me or anything other than a characteristic I feel confident and love about myself. My family always embraced height, and my parents are tall as well—my mom is 5’10”, my dad is 6’5”—even my cousins are 6’4” and 6’5”.  I’ve always been involved in sports, which is a great outlet—socially especially.

Q: What inspired you to start Height Goddess? 

It was a combination of factors, but really, I started HEIGHT GODDESS to create the kind of boutique-quality, beautiful garments I’d wear myself. I’m not tall and super thin—I am tall and curvy. In the clothing industry, there have been very few flattering and stylish options for tall and curvy women available off the rack—and when you factor in that many tall women like me LOVE to wear heels, a 36” inseam just isn’t long enough! That’s why I offer my denim and pants in sizes 4-20, with three different inseams per denim style (ranging from 35”-40”).

I also started HEIGHT GODDESS to offer tall women options beyond men’s clothing! Throughout high school and college, I would go into my dad’s closet to borrow jeans and white button-downs because I simply couldn’t find sleeves long enough or inseams long enough otherwise. And before I started HEIGHT GODDESS, I’d visit premium denim boutiques only to be pushed towards the men’s jean section. When I first moved to Dallas, I visited Jean Connection and was fitted with men’s jeans. I realized there had to be some alternative. Five years later, I returned to Jean Connection with HEIGHT GODDESS denim—sometimes when the option isn’t there to begin with, you have to make it yourself!

Q: Tell us more about what you offer tall women at HEIGHT GODDESS…

I offer tall women what they want and, more important, need—I really listen to the feedback and suggestions of my customers. The tall market is very much a niche market—and I’m careful to offer a product that is timeless while still being on-trend, and choose to focus on quality and fit in my designs.

Q: What are your plans for HEIGHT GODDESS? Will you be extending the line; opening a retail store; or hosting pop-up shops?

Starting any business is a slow process—especially with a small team—and requires really solid marketing strategy— at every opportunity I spread the word about HEIGHT GODDESS whether talking to tall women while I’m out and about or in Starbucks having a meeting.

Right now, I’m focusing on selling perfection in the wardrobe staples—making jeans and dress pants that fulfill tall women’s fit and style needs really well. I’ve also introduced a romper and a maxi dress this summer that are absolutely gorgeous and very comfortable—as well as a boot cut and skinny jean in a bright white. I certainly plan to expand the HEIGHT GODDESS line, and want to continue to build it to be the go-to option for tall women in the United States and Internationally.

I probably won’t open a retail store in the very near future, but there are a few boutiques in Texas and California carrying HEIGHT GODDESS (see the list here), and I’m on the lookout for boutiques all across the country that are interested in HG. I’ve hosted trunk shows, and love the idea of pop-up shops.

Q: What are some tall websites that you visit?

From the beginning, Tallwomen.org has offered a home base for tall women and tall women’s clothing and accessories. Also, Tall Clothing Mall has a great listing of comprehensive tall women’s clothing sites.  There are several other great sites out there like your site providing tall women useful information.

Q: What are some “style staples” for you? How would you classify your own style?

I stick to the basics and classics in tailored shapes and cuts—I would definitely say I gravitate towards more elegant looks, and add color and interest with really cute shoes and great jewelry and accessories!

Q: What piece of style advice would you give tall women?

Have the basics in your wardrobe—build around them—and don’t settle for something that doesn’t fit well! Be open to taking time to find the right fit for you, and support the tall women’s clothing lines and designers that are out there.

Thank you so much, Lameka! Be sure to visit HEIGHT GODDESS for all those wardrobe staples, and be sure to complete the HG survey and participate in the ‘Be The Buyer’ program to help the HG team make all the pieces you tall lovelies want and need.

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Q&A: Allison of RedWood Clothing

1 Jun

Allison is a Renaissance woman—an avid traveler, sports enthusiast, nonprofit administrator—and  a tall Titian-haired fashionista.  She is in the process of starting RedWood Clothing—the fulfillment of her own dream that will help all of us vertically-inclined lasses build our “dream closets” full of clothing designs that fit, flatter, and look fabulous. Be sure to stop by her site and give some feedback—the first step in her design process is figuring out what her tall, stylish customers want!

Without further ado, onto the Q&A!

The lovely Allison, at left

Q: Tell us a little bit about your background—where you grew up, whether you have siblings, where you went to college/what you studied, where you work, some hobbies/interests…

I grew up in Mount Vernon, WA as the youngest of three.  I was always the tallest girl in class, and usually the school.  I’m not sure it helped that my mom kept my red curly hair quite short…the faux-fro added a few inches! :) Not to mention how much the haircut encouraged comments about my resemblance to Little Orphan Annie.

After high school (and a short, unsuccessful stint as a college student) I spent time traveling for a few years.  I lived in Guatemala and traveled throughout Latin America and Western Europe.  It was an amazing, life-changing experience, but eventually I was ready to go back to school.  I moved home to Seattle and got my degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Washington. To answer the question “What do you do with an LAS degree?”…I’m still not sure!  So I got a job in disability advocacy, and am now the Director of our division.

Hobbies:  I love travelling (and adventures in general).  I love seeing things in person that I’d only seen in pictures.  Whether I’m kayaking in bat caves or celebrating Christmas in Rome, when I’m travelling I feel like I’m taking advantage of every moment. I’m also a soccer fanatic!  We have season tickets to the Seattle Sounders, and are die-hard Liverpool supporters.  We also have season tickets to the Rat City Roller Girls…strong, confident  women on roller skates with men in tutus as their cheerleaders? Yes, please!

To keep healthy I take Pilates classes three times a week and go hiking as often as possible.  I love happy hour with the girls, date night with Scott (Yay Thursdays!), party games (Taboo, anyone?), getting mani/pedi, and SHOPPING.  Shopping is my therapy.

 Q: The million dollar question: How tall are you, and have you always been tall?

I’m 6’2”.  I’ve always been tall.  I hit 5’11” in the 6th grade – I remember that in particular because I had a huge crush on Jon Knight from NKOTB, who was also 5’11”.  I cried when I caught up with him in  height, since I thought that being taller than him would be the one factor that came between me and my future husband.  ;)

 Q: What inspired you to branch out into the realm of tall women’s fashion/fashion advocacy? And how can we tall ladies help?

 I’m passionate, and love feeling inspired and engaged.  I wanted to identify what enriches my life and what makes me feel most invested and fulfilled.  The answer:  I love fashion.  Not just clothes, but the way an outfit is put together and how it can tell a story about the person wearing it.  I get a buzz of excitement when I see someone being bold with colors, combining hard/soft fabrics and detailing, etc.  No to mention that carves, handbags, cocktail rings, and belts make me very happy.  I love it all.

My dream has always been to start a line of clothing for tall women.  (WOW…It’s hard to put that in writing, since admitting it to myself means I have to take a risk and do something about it!)

The moral of the story:  I’m inspired by tall women who want fashion that fits.  We don’t have to compromise anymore.  We can come together, talk about what’s missing from our wardrobes, and then hopefully RedWood can help make sure that need is filled.

Tall women can help most by talking about their personal style, which tall clothing options are missing, the stores they love, and the style they find most inspiring.  I feel a close connection to tall women who, like me, are ready for a fashion revolution!

 Q: Would you mind telling us a bit more about RedWood Clothing?

My goal for RedWood Clothing is this:  I want to make it the place tall women come to build their dream closets (I’d like it to be my dream closet, too!).  I know I’ll start slowly and the line won’t be large at first.  I’m building a business plan and laying the foundation, but I want to do this right, and that means starting with a conversation and talking with tall women about our biggest fashion needs.  A valuable conversation is already taking place, and I’m thankful to be a part of it.  Joining Twitter and connecting with other tall women who share my passion for style has been such a gift!!

 Q: When the site is unveiled, what sort of features will it include?

One of the features I’m excited about is that each product will include measurements of all aspects of its design including shoulder, bodice, sleeve, inseam, and rise.  I want women to have the information necessary to make educated decisions about what would fit them best.

I’m also committed to the blog, where tall women can share their best fashion advice, their inspirations, and pictures of their personal style.  My main goal is to provide quality, fashionable clothes, an easy-to-navigate site, and the opportunity to come together in a community of tall women who celebrate style!

 Q: What are some “style staples” for you? How would you classify your own style?

My staples are Fidelity jeans, embellished flats, and Anthropologie tops (with lots of gold jewelry thrown in to spice things up a bit!).  I love classics, but play with fabric and color combinations that make my style a tad eclectic, too.  If I had to pick a few stores that represent my style, I’d go with Anthropologie, JCrew, and Nordstrom (with ‘recycled’ antique jewelry from the Fremont Sunday market near my house).

Q: What are some of your favorite tall-friendly stores/boutiques in the Seattle area that have clothing catering to tall women? How about some of your favorite online shopping destinations?

 There is only one store in Seattle that caters to tall women, but the clothes there feel dated and dowdy.  Polyester as far as the eye can see!  So I stick with typical-size stores.  I am able to find tops, as long as I’m willing to layer with tanks, roll the sleeves, and/or not move my shoulders very much. J I love lululemon for my workout and lounge pants, because they have tall sizes in store!  I love that!  My shoe size is 11 so I’m able to find shoes at Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack. I do the rest of my shopping online. I get my suits, dress shirts, winter coats, and bathing suits at JCrew. My Fidelity jeans come from Tall Couture. The majority of my tops come from Anthropologie. I’ve recently started buying from Banana Republic again, and have been impressed with their dress pants (and my new favorite rain coat!). I just made my first Long Legs Canada purchase – a maxi dress – and am super impressed with the length and quality of the dress. There are other tall clothing resources out there, but many define tall as over 5’7” or 5’8”, which won’t work for me at 6’2”. I also really appreciate high-quality fabric and strong design, so I stick with the tall stores that represent my personal style.

Q: What piece of style advice would you give tall women?

 Can I have three pieces of advice, please?  :)

  1.  Wear what makes you feel beautiful.
  2. If it fits, buy two.
  3. Height makes us unique, which is a gift. Let’s own it.

Thanks, Allison! The Height of Style  loves you and RedWood Clothing!

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