Bgshop2 Introduction
'Ursula has an excellent eye for the items that suit my shape. I used to hate packing for work trips or holidays because I was never sure that I had the right things. Now it’s a pleasure!' M. Francis
Having been trained at the House of Fraser, I went onto work for H&M and then spent a number of years as an account supervisor for the UK-based buying house for Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. This allowed me tremendous insight into the American market and gave me invaluable experience working with some of the best British fashion, interior and accessory designers around.
I went onto become part of the personal shopping team at Selfridges & Co – gaining a thorough grounding in working on a one-to-one basis with clients looking to change their image, build capsule wardrobes or they were simply out to find that one special occasion outfit.
This also gave me even more insight as to how women buy clothes, what their sizing needs are and in particular how they are being recognised by the retailers.
This work experience and writing the“What’s in store”articles for soesteem.co.uk sparked a great interest for me.
Being large myself I began to monitor the plus-size market very carefully, comparing it in general to the womenswear industry as a whole.
My findings show that it is an exciting market and starving for energy to be spent on it. There is a constant demand for more variety and a higher level of design, which is something I am determined to encourage.
Ursula Gross-Hohnacker
Fashion Consultant/Personal Shopper
What’s Personal Shopping?…
Specialised personal consultation and wardrobe advice.
One-on-one assisted sourcing/shopping
Individual ongoing email advice service.
Trends, colours, themes and styles linked to the plus-size market.
Specialist research and advice on offer.
Where to buy – special offers.
Styling and confidence advice.
Specialist advice and information – plus-size lingerie, shoes, bridalwear and special occasions – ask for details!
(Asymmetric slouch pocket top from SimplyBe, Frill cardigan from Yeok, La Boheme dress by IGIGI.)
'Ursula is one of the most committed and inspiring people I have had the good fortune to have known…'
Sarah Barton–King, The Pinkroom NYC
How to get started…
Start by looking at your wardrobe, taking your lifestyle and needs into account. Editing your wardrobe is tough sometimes but necessary. Be ruthless as it will allow you to to have a clearer idea of what needed to start rebuilding.
Basic wardrobe categorisation:
Casual - All your wardrobe casual needs including jeans, casual trousers sweaters etc.,
Smart Casual - Casual items that are a little bit dressy or suitable for work and casual recreation.
Workwear - Basic all round items for your work that can be easily mixed with you smart casual wardrobe.
Smart casual evening - easy wear outfits either good quality separates or a great dress that can take you anywhere.
Special occasion & Black Tie - Formal eveningwear, sometimes the hardest to find on your own as quite a few things have to be taken into consideration before a final choice is made - particularly as this is usually an investment buy.
(Carolyn Drapiere Psychedelic Sundays shirt, print frill dress by Anna Scholz for SimplyBe, butterfly sleeve blouse by taillesime from One-Stop-Plus.)
Take a careful look ahead to the season and what you will need and which of these apply to your lifestyle?
Your wardrobe priorities in more detail. This is the time to work out exactly what you want from a personal shopping service…
Workwear and smart casual.
How to start building from a three-way suit, jacket, skirt and trouser go on to build from that to develop your smart casual wardrobe by adding other foundation pieces like another skirt, a dress a more casual jacket and trouser or jean. Learn to start building outwards - adding more immediate fashion pieces and how to utilise colour from a suitable core colour-base and expand it by adding colour and pattern taking inspiration from the season trends.
Highlight by adding the accessories of the season - prioritising investment items.
Smart Casual evening
It is so easy to concentrate heavily on work and daywear and to forget that part of the wardrobe for dining and casual evenings out.
Help in finding good capsule collection of pieces that are slightly dressier without being too overpowering, pieces that you are comfortable in and give you confidence.
Items that can be easily accessorised without having to think too much and can be automatically reached for in the wardrobe at a moments notice.
It is also useful especially in today's busy lifestyle to learn to select pieces that could effortlessly take you from day into evening – items that immediately dress up with the addition of the right seasonal accessories
Special Occasion and black tie
A well-organised diary is essential if your lifestyle includes more formal occasions.
Sometimes it just takes help in finding a good simply-styled piece - a dress or special evening co-ordinates from a suitable source that can stretch what is already there. Help in style and fitting can make the difference between being in discomfort for an entire evening or being able to enjoy it with confidence.
A cupboard full of fun-fashion accessories as well as the classic good stuff will get most through a season.
Planning and research for more formal occasions is recommended – what kind of evening it is, when it is, who will be there and what your role is – seems ridiculous but well worth the time
(Grazia lace trim top from SimplyBe, Meadowlark- sugar vest from Carmakoma, knitted cardigan from Oska.)
The season and when to get started…
The season and when to get started…
February to April for Spring/Summer
September to November for Autumn/Winter.
Main wardrobe pieces should be sourced as early as possible to ensure sizing availability. Highstreet short-order fashion pieces turn around quickly and change regularly - the art is in finding the right pieces at the right time and to learn to wait for the mid-season reductions to complete the wardrobe - especially for holiday-wear and cruise (winter holiday) wear.
Think about what you need…
Think about a budget…How much do you want to invest?…
Do you need just a day spent for direction?…
Or do you need someone to start your wardrobe from scratch?…
Got these worked out?…Then get in contact…
For more information about the service, fees and availability email us on bgshop2@biggirlsblouselondon.com
