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Plus size designer ripping up the runway

Writer : Caribbean E-Magazine on Monday, March 9, 2009 | 12:29 PM


IF you happened to be watching Black Entertainment Television’s (BET) Rip the Runway show last week, you might just have seen plus sized designs from one talented designer with Barbadian heritage.

For the fourth time, the Monif C. line created by Monif Clarke and her business partner, her mother Elaine Clarke, was a hit on the widely televised show.

Monif, who was in New York, has her roots in Barbados through her mother who is from Turners Hall, St. Andrew and her father who is from St. George. While on a recent visit to Barbados, she took the time to tell her story.

“I originally have a math and computer science degree. Most people are surprised to hear about that background knowing that I am a designer now but when I visited some family in England in 2005, I realised that I need a change. I always had a joy of fashion and after doing some research I decided this is what I want full time. I did some courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology and I launched my line later that year,” she said.

What is Monif C?
“Monif C is a combination of my first and last name. It is a designer plus size line which is sold online at monifc.com and in specialty boutiques throughout the world.”

“We make plus size clothing which ranges from sizes 14 to 24. We mainly make dresses from casual to elegant and last year we launched a swimsuit line. One of the suits was named after Barbados. It was called the Barbados V-neck plunge swimsuit and it was our best seller.”

The 30-year-old said that the Caribbean influences some of her designs. “I use a lot of vibrant colours like yellows, oranges and reds and I bring back a lot of fabric from Barbados and Trinidad for the clothes. I also like using fabrics like cotton eyelet, silk and jersey because I like how they fall on the body.”

“Our line is currently being carried in boutiques in Jamaica and St. Maarten. We would like to expand into other islands like Barbados and we have already been contacted by boutiques in the region about our clothing.”

In terms of her experience on Rip the Runway show, this year Monif describes it as exciting. “ I was happy to do it again this year. We have been out there with big designers like Sean P. Diddy Combs, Nelly and 50 Cent and that’s a good feeling. When we did the first show in March 2006, our website got 2 million hits. From there, we have also been on the Tyra Banks Show and we have been featured in the Oprah magazine.”

Speaking as a plus sized woman, Monif also gave some fashion tips for fellow plus sized ladies. “Dress your size. Some people like to cram themselves into small clothes but if you don’t dress your size, it won’t look good on you although you may think that it looks good.”

“Also, proper undergarments are very important, especially a good bra. There are also girdles out there with no bones that you can wear under your clothes and have smooth lines,” she said.

“Don’t have rules for yourself. People always say that plus size women can’t wear white or short dresses. I always say that plus size women are not big all over. That is a misconception. Most of the time we are either top heavy or bottom heavy or we might be big around the middle. If you have a nice collarbone or cleavage be more daring and wear something to show it. If you have nice legs, you can wear something short. Don’t think because I am big I can’t wear it,” she continued.

“As long as you have the proper size and the right undergarments and you put it together with your hair and shoes, and if you wish with jewellery and make up, you will look just as great as anybody else,” Monif added.

Business acumen
Although Monif has done well in such a short period of time, she acknowledges some challenges.

“The fashion industry is a very expensive industry to get into. Manufacturing costs are very expensive and sometimes it is difficult but I thank God that I have family and friends who have helped me to overcome this.”

She continued, “I am one of the first designers to do contemporary design plus size fashion and a lot of the time, as a black woman, it is difficult to find business mentors who have come before you to guide you. I always tell people that the fashion industry is 90 per cent business and 10 per cent fashion. I come from the math and computer science corporate arena so I understand business and that has definitely been a big help.”
Speaking about her plans for the future, this young designer said, “I am looking to expand into shoes and lingerie and other boutiques in the region and across the world.”

By Allison Ramsay
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