Thanira Rates Photography
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Nigerian-born fashion designer and plus-size model, Linda Idegwu is indeed one out of many African fashion desginers who sees beyond the boundary of emulating the western culture. Dear curves brand is an African Inspired clothing line for plus size women – staying true to her African roots.
Since the launch of her plus-size fashion brand ‘Dear Curves’ in Jenuary, 2012, it has become renowned for creating “contemporary, minimalistic fashion” for women sizes 14-26 (U.K.), as described by Dear Curves’ in-house head of public relations, Bummi Dele.
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Linda Idegwu who is now a London-based has been expressing her creativity through the medium she knows best: “fashion ideology and ‘her’ interpretation of it.”
Dele notes that the lack of variety and poor availability of clothing for fuller-figured women played a crucial role in Idegwu’s decision to launch a collection, but it’s obvious that her own roots – and perhaps her awareness of how small a part said roots seem to play in the First World – have shaped her designs on an intrinsic level.
According to Huffpost, There’s something passionate about the Dear Curves designs: some kind of energy; some kind of rhythm and rhyme. Although minimalistic and chic, the vibrant patterns and exaggerated silhouettes of the clothes make a statement. They yearn to be seen. They seek confident, strong plus-size women who are unashamed of their bodies.
A visit to ‘Dear Curves’ about page, shows that, the love of African prints, and fashion has been a part of Linda’s life since childhood and the inspiration for the brand originates from African women; most of whom are naturally curvy and strikingly beautiful.
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“In certain parts of Africa, as well as other cultures, being plus-size is still seen as a sign of wealth, social status and symbol,” notes Dele. “Women are encouraged to embrace their curves; it is a way of life. The difference in perception in the African and Western culture is staggering, as women who are plus-size in the Western world are often and wrongly associated with laziness and greed.”
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“We want to see more curvy models on the runway, proactive efforts by the fashion industry to stop the size range segregation, eradication of the terms ‘plus-size,’ or ‘curvy models,'” says Dele. Size-inclusivity is a noble goal – it’s a goal I hope to see fulfilled in my lifetime, but often fear I will not have the privilege to. Brands like Dear Curves make one hopeful, though. [Via Huffpost]
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