Photography: Hazel Coonagh
Hello! And thank you so much for stopping by my page!
I thought I would take the opportunity to introduce myself and reintroduce myself to those who have been part of the Style Me Curvy family for a long time.
I started in the fashion industry nearly 16 years ago. During this time working as a plus size/ curve model, OG blogger, and fashion presenter for various media outlets.
Fashion and modelling certainly was something I fell into. It was never on my agenda or anything I felt would ever have been in my reach to do. I grew up with cripplingly poor body image, and I struggled with my weight hugely. By the age of 12 I was a size 22/24, and back then while the internet was around, there were no online stores, no social media, and certainly no one that looked like me in fancy magazines or anyone I could relate to on TV. So that feeling of overwhelm, not having the faintest idea of what to wear or how to style things, and above all always feeling different and left out of fashion. This is definitely the backbone behind how Style Me Curvy began. Because I never, ever, wanted anyone to have to go through the same experience, regardless of size or age.
How did I get into Fashion?
Me over the years as a curve model
Modelling was something I had been asked about numerous times around the age of 18/19 when I was a size 16. I would get stopped randomly by casting agents while walking down the street but usually came their comments were “if you’d loose 3-4 stone and become a size 6-8 we’d love to have you on our model board" or “you’ve such a pretty face, it’s just a pity about the rest of you”. I knew my frame just never was meant to be that size.
It wasn’t until I came across plus size modelling that I half-heartedly started to dip my toe into it not expecting anything to happen. I quickly began working in Germany in the catalogue industry followed by London, Milan, New York all the glossy-sounding places that weren’t always that fancy in real life. But it was something I was insanely passionate about, and I got to see a different side to a pocket of the fashion industry while gaining so much fashion knowledge from some of the most incredible people in the fashion industry.
Modelling still had its moments, I would go to casting for a plus size brand and be told no - sorry you’re too big to be a plus size model or photographers who didn’t really want to take your photos for your agency because they’d never want to use your images in their portfolio.. being a “bigger”model. This sort of ignited the fire in my stomach all the more for fashion and diversity. There had to be change and there had to be people out there wanting to be apart of that change too and thankfully there was! And many of which are still close friends of mine today.
My first ever blog logo back in 2010! Designed by comic artist Des Taylor
Throughout this time Style Me Curvy on blogspot had started ( 14 years ago!) . A safe space for people. A judgment free zone that included all sizes and fashion issues. And most importantly - hoping that no one had to experience that feeling of frustration or embarrassment navigating the fashion world.
So why are we here on Substack some of you might ask?
With social media outlets constantly evolving and becoming more prone to looking for short, quick content it also limits my ability as to what can be shared to genuinely be able to help people properly. I felt like it was time I came back to a space that I could include various elements of old and new all under one umbrella ( don’t worry you’ll still find my daily content on instagram and TikTok too!). But when you subscribe here, I can now write blog posts and newsletters that will go straight to your email inbox, include longer form video content past just 60 seconds on Instagram or TikTok - where I can properly explain in finer detail why I think certain things work and other things don’t. Like an online magazine to answer all your style and beauty woes and questions. Community is the heart and soul of what Style Me Curvy has always been about and I’m excited for this next chapter that I hope you’ll join me on too.
Lou xxx
How it works:
For free subscribers you’ll have access to two free blog posts per month and some video content.
And for paid subscribers for €1.25 per week you’ll have access to the following:
-All video content
-All blog posts
-A chance to have items from my wardrobe which I’ll be giving away
-A voucher giveaway once a month to any online retailer of your choice!
-To be actively involved in the Style Me Curvy Fashion chats on this website
-Style SOS : subscribers will have the chance to anonymously ask a style question / or issue they need fashion help with . And I’ll write a full blog post with style solutions personally to your question.
-Style Clinic Videos covering a variety of trends, occasionwear
-A style group masterclass every 1-2 months.
For Founding members: perfect for anyone who’s ever asked for personal styling from me!
This is limited to the first 25 people who become founding members. It will give you access to a years membership and a one on one style consultation online with me for one hour- establishing what you need help with along with with a follow up email of style inspiration and ideas of what will work for you .
All direct message replies guaranteed from me on any of your style questions throughout the year too!