Dear Addition-Elle,I think it's time we had a chat. You see, I have been frequenting your establishment for quite sometime now and while I have been eagerly spending your fashion dollars and partaking in your plus size fashion, something has been bugging me and I think it's time I got it off my ample bosom.
You see, Dearest AE, while I absolutely love the gorgeous Ashley Graham and all of the other beautiful models you portray in your advertising, I can't help but feel slightly disappointed. As Canada's largest (and possibly only!!) plus size establishment (aside from Penningtons, which you also own) you have the opportunity to do something epic, groundbreaking, and revolutionary. You have the opportunity to provide your clientele with the one thing we ache for the most.....images of women like us, wearing your clothes. Nothing against the babes you showcase as they may fall into the "plus size" category (according to your blog post: http://blog.additionelle.com/2014/07/09/plus-size/), but I bet if I had a look at your main demographic, it would NOT feature a size 14/16 woman. I would bet that your average clientele falls between a size 20 and 24 and does not have that flawless hourglass figure that you tout in your fashion editorials.
Now, don't take this personally, because I love that you provide options for us plussies, where there wasn't any previously, but I think we can make a big difference here. You see, I have taken the liberty to provide you with beautiful imagery showcasing YOUR customers wearing YOUR garments and looking absolutely sexy and fabulous...and more realistic to how your customers look when they put on your lingerie. Seeing as it's 2016, I think we can all agree that it's time to stop marketing focused on getting women to want to be someone else and instead provide them with marketing that speaks to who they already ARE and how great they would look wearing your clothes!!
Now, I know this might sound forward and maybe even a little brash, and you are probably thinking, what the heck does this one girl know about fashion and marketing and OUR business...well, I AM your business. You see, I am an avid customer (I have the receipts to prove it) and I am pretty sure if I feel this way, so do a lot of your other customers (at least that's what I gather from the comments on the social media sites, saying they want to see more "bellies" etc.) And I am sure I can hear your marketing director scoffing at this letter, saying things like "nobody would buy clothes if they were on "REAL" bodies", but just think how we feel when we try your pieces on our REAL bodies and realize that we look NOTHING like Ashley Graham when we put on lingerie?? It would be rather radical (and amazing!!) of you to provide us with a more accurate representation of OUR body types. And yes, I know Penningtons has been featuring the gorgeous Tess Munster, but can we get more of that action in the lingerie department of AE?
Seeing as you essentially have the monopoly on plus size fashion in Canada at the moment, I realize you don't OWE me anything, but I think you have a chance to do something amazing and I promise that you will see a spectacular return on your investments (which, at the end of the day, is the idea, right?)
Oh, and PS. if you could get ring lights on your mirrors in the fitting room, I GUARANTEE an increase in sales. Downward lighting from pot-lights is flattering on no one.
XOXO,Your Customer Who Is Built Less Like An Hour Glass and More Like a Brick
(All of these babes are wearing lingerie purchased at Addition-Elle....as you can see, we all look fab as hell)
Summer In The City ~ Winnipeg Photography
I love surrounding myself with creative people, so when I get asked to do fun, out of the ordinary photoshoots, I don't hesitate! Well, my stylist Kelly (known as hairbymisskellyo on instagram) needed a photographer last minute for their summer themed shoot, so I cleared my schedule (a night of Netflix n' tacos) and zipped over to the pool location for this fun shoot! Also, props to Miss Kelly for being chosen as a finalist for the Color Shot of the Year from behindthechair.com (another project we worked on together!!!) Enjoy this fun summer series featuring hair and makeup by the talented babes at the Sapphire Hair Lounge!
Before Trump Builds The Wall {Minneapolis Diaries} ~ International Boudoir Photography
We decided it would be a smart idea for us to head to Minneapolis this year seeing as next year it may not be a possibility if Trump decides to build the wall to keep us scary Canadians out. Just kidding, but we DID go to shoot some MPLS boudy babes and hang out with a babe to help her with her budding boudoir business! While we were in Minneapolis I also brought a whole bag of clothes to photography Jill & Nicole because I certainly wasn't going to waste an epic location by NOT shooting. Aaaand, seeing as we were there for July 4th, we wanted to get into the spirit of things and do a patriotic inspired shoot to celebrate the red, white, and blue!
She Slayed {Minneapolis Diaries} ~ Inspiration Boudoir Session
My morning client had cancelled her session at the last minute, so I had some time to use the beautiful morning light in our Airbnb. Makeup artist extraordinaire, Nicole was more than happy to oblige!! She rocked the Slay bodysuit that I had gotten from Winners and helped me fulfill my inspiration shoot around this gorgeous home. We took advantage of all the gorgeous details that were littered throughout this gorgeous house!
Do you have a gorgeously styled home that you would like to do your boudoir session in? If so, when you shoot me an email, let me know about your ideas as I am always inspired by small details and fabulous light! I am not opposed to venturing outside the studio, so we can definitely chat!
Get Ready to Party! ~ Winnipeg Celebration Photography
I have been waiting ages to post this session and release these shoots because they are totally amazing and awesome! Since the beginning of the year, birthday cake smashes for adults has become quite the trend and while I was totally on board with the idea, I wanted to shoot these sessions with a high-fashion vibe as opposed to the traditional route that we have seen them coming. The other thing I wanted to do, to set my sessions apart from the traditional, was to make them CELEBRATION focused, instead of just birthdays! Getting divorced and feeling fabulous about it? Let's celebrate!! Graduated uni and feeling adulty?? CELEBRATE IT! Just feel like eating cake and not feel guilty about it?? CELEBRATE IT! We will customize your Sassy Celebration Session during your consultation and help you cover everything from styling to colors and set design! The other fun thing about these sessions? You can invite your friends! EEEEEE!!! Take a look at the shots from our promo shoot and then head over here to find out how to design your own celebration shoot! I got my stellar team together for the promo shoot and Lilli Csuk did the gorgeous makeup and Jill came out to play the part of our party girl!
