News » #plus
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A Library of Dress designs: Chapter "S" ~ Part 2
Published Jul 13 2021 in #canadianfashion, #cherryvelvet, #madeincanada, #pinup, #pinupdress, #plus
Welcome back to part 2 of the sassy, sexy "S" dresses. We hope you are enjoying a look back at these feisty frocks designed to fit and flatter your curves.
SOOKIE
Good enough to sink your fangs in to! Diane was watching the HBO show True Blood when she took notice of the cute frocks worn by Sookie Stackhouse. There was a scene in particular that stood out; when Bill and Sookie travel to Fangtasia and she is referred to as 'Vampire Bait' in her flirty little sundress. And so, in the Spring of 2023 the Sookie dress came to be. We love her playful vibe with the full skirt and flirty gathered bust.
SOPHIA
Diane introduced Sophia to give a little extra va-va-voom to your style (à la Sophia Loren). This fetching party dress appeared in fall of 2012 with flirty peek-a-boo shoulders, a sweetheart neckline, three quarter sleeves and a beautiful full skirt that was lovely with a crinoline. This one was especially flattering for a fuller bust and only made once. The Sophia dress debuted at our Save-On Meats photo shoot, don't you love the nostalgic, retro diner vibe?
STACY STRIPES
The Stacy dress was first conceptualized in 2014 and from the beginning was designed to be made for striped fabric. If you look closely at the pattern, you can see how Diane planned it to be compatible with stripes which are notoriously difficult to match up and look good. The first sketch is the original design with cap sleeves.
By the time Stacy was produced in spring of 2019 the design was modified to have three-quarter sleeves and was offered in a jaunty banker pin stripe in two colours; Black and Navy. The V-neckline and gathers at the bust added interest while the vertical stripes were slimming (we love that!)
STELA
Stela was a fabulous party dress introduced for Holiday 2013. She was made in a stretch cotton sateen and her full skirt looked amazing with a crinoline. The scoop neckline was accented with a flirty notched detail. There was a bow at the empire waist and three quarter sleeves with gathers finished off the look.
SUZY
Suzy Sundress was a fun one; this cheeky shorter dress was designed for summer picnics and beach days. The cheerful prints, wide straps and sweetheart neckline were completed with Ric Rac trim around the bodice and pockets for a vintage look. This adorable dress was featured in our unforgettable Retro Road Trip photo shoot.
Revisiting these dresses brings back happy memories of good times at these fun photo shoots. We appreciate being a part of your celebrations and hope our dresses add joy to your events.
The next exciting installment of our dress archives will be the last one, T - Z dresses. Stay tuned ...XOX Cherry Velvet
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Beauty and the Belle
Published Aug 20 2020 in Cherry Velvet Dresses, Made In Canada, Pin Up, plus, Plus Model, Veronica Belle, Vintage Inspired
She’s one of the most familiar faces here at Cherry Velvet and for good reason: Veronica Belle’s iconic style – a blend of old-school glamour and pin-up bombshell – is a modelling match made in heaven.
It’s been five years since Veronica’s first Cherry Velvet shoot, which took place near Robson Square in downtown Vancouver in October 2015. That shoot saw her in a pair of now-retired styles that were a great match for her classic style: the Tatyana dress in “Burgundy Tiger” (a unique criss-cross bust design with a stylized tiger pattern) and the Aurora dress in “Guitar Picks” (a multi-coloured fabric with a sweetheart neckline, cap sleeves, and a side bow at the waist.) Both dresses were popular additions to the lineup, offering Cherry Velvet’s unique approach in creating dresses that fit curvy and plus-size customers in flattering and fun designs.
But the plus size model and body positivity advocate doesn’t just wear our dresses on photo shoots. She’s also a long-time customer herself, with plenty of our most popular designs hanging in her own closet. As a plus size 0X (about mid-range in Cherry Velvet’s inclusive sizing that runs from XS to 3X) she’s one of countless curvy women who have fallen in love with Cherry Velvet’s fun designs, retro charm, and classic elegance.
And it’s no surprise the camera loves her: a self-described “total ham” and huge fan of all things Disney, she grew up doing theatre and today is an accomplished singer. She performs with her husband, Ben Klein, a well-known international Elvis impersonator. With her 'Snow White' colouring and his matching black hair, they make a striking couple on the stage – a flashback to the classic looks from an old black-and-white film.
So when Cherry Velvet launched a dress that was equal parts old Hollywood glamour and retro pin-up – with a sprinkling of happily-ever-after princess – it was easy to decide who to name it after. The “Veronica” dress is a satin pin-up style wedding dress with a full circle skirt (with lots of room for a matching crinoline) and a banded waist with a picture-perfect bow.
If plus modelling and performing with her spouse don’t keep her hopping all day, Veronica has a host of hobbies to occupy her time: she’s artistic and loves to both paint and draw. She’s also a book worm (current read is the long-awaited new Twilight series book Midnight Sun by Stephanie Meyer) and she’s a big fan of true crime, from podcasts to books.
And she’s always been a little bit quirky: not too many kids have a Jaws-themed birthday cake – but she did, on her fourth birthday. Sharks are still one of her favourite animals today.
We love you Veronica Belle! Thanks so much for being uniquely, wonderfully you and such an amazing model for our brand ❤️
Christina Meyers for Cherry Velvet
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In Support of Anti-Racism & BLM
Published Jun 05 2020 in Anti-Racism, Black Lives Matter, Cherry Velvet, ethical, Ethics, local, opinion, plus, shop local, women in business
Out of respect and solidarity, we would like to use our public platform to reaffirm our values and share our support for the Anti-Racism movement.
Cherry Velvet is an inclusive company, not only dedicated to endorsing the rights and respect of women and all sizes including plus size, but also respecting people of all ethnicities, cultures, and faiths. We recognize Canada as a cultural mosaic and we appreciate everyone's contributions to our local community.
Diversity is fundamental to ensuring the strength of our communities and we are grateful for its part in building a safe place to call home.
It is important to think critically. Our words and actions, no matter how small, have more meaning than we can imagine. This goes both ways. They not only represent us but contribute to our society as a whole. Even the smallest pebble will ripple across a lake.
We believe there are many routes toward change, and one of them is education. This is the only way we can unravel the harmful values deeply rooted in our society.
As the world recognizes this significant, pivotal moment in Black History, we offer our humble support by sharing a few links related to the Black Lives Matter Movement. We hope these links will be valuable to our readers; whether you wish for more information, want to help but may not know where to start, or know anyone who may be in need of these resources.A Day In The Life: How Racism Impacts Families of Colour
Ways You Can Help :: Black Lives Matter
Black Women In Motion
The Black Health Alliance of Canada
The Black Legal Action CentreWe encourage you to take a look at these links, and within your means, take positive action (share the links, make a donation, or support local Black-owned businesses, etc.)
XOX Cherry Velvet
