Welcome to Clements Ribeiro Swan SS13 Holiday
Inspired by Prada and Schiaparelli exhibition in trendy New York, for our fourth collection together, London based design duo Suzanne Clements and Inacio Ribeiro have evolved the Clements Ribeiro Swan for Evans name with a quirky, fun statement in playful prints and vibrant colours.
Even more exciting: for the first time, we enlisted the help of five of the most stylish and influential personalities in the plus size blogosphere to showcase the stunning collection on differing shapes – just as you all mentioned in our Style Dilemma chats – and to provide powerful inspiration, whilst giving a statement of the relevance of plus size fashion.
We posted a teaser on our Facebook page last week, as well as our exclusive ‘Meet the Bloggers’ video, and it’s finally time to launch the collection.
See what our bloggers have to say about the collection, and more important – welcome to the fun and fashionable world of Clements Ribeiro Swan SS13 Holiday…
- SHOP CLEMENTS RIBEIRO SWAN SS13 HOLIDAY NOW -
“Sometimes a woman just wants to get dressed up (for no reason) and instantly feel amazing at the same time. Sassy and classy in one collection? Yes ma’am!” – Marie Denee
“I chose the kiss shirt dress as it incorporated my love for high street fashion trends as well as being funky and bold.” – Callie Thorpe
“I chose to model the gorgeous swimming costume. It was very me as it was a gorgeous blue colour, it showed a hint of cleavage and it made me feel very elegant and classy.” – Georgina Horne
“The monochrome zebra print is fabulously kitsch and fun. Perfect for creating a bold look in my wardrobe this season.” – Nicolette Mason
“I picked the lobster because I’m obsessed with irreverent fun and bizarre kitsch. It’s hard to find patterns that are as fun as I want them to be!” – Bethany Rutter
Shop Clements Ribeiro Swan SS13 Holiday now.
Pin your favourites from our Pinterest board.
Enter our exclusive Caption Competition over on Facebook.
Style Your Shape, Shape Your Style – Launching the new Evans’ shape video guides
After a few weeks of hard work, we’re very excited to be able to share the launch of our brand new Evans ‘Style Your Shape, Shape Your Style’ feature. With a dedicated video for each of the four main body shapes, it has never been easier to learn how to dress for your shape.
Our Head of Buying, Lowri, talks through every shape, taking away the guesswork when it comes to colour, cuts and styles. Check out the videos here and below and don’t forget to let us know what you think!
If you’re not sure of your body shape, don’t forget to check out our Shape Calculator, and update your details on our website to receive tailormade shape advice in your email inbox.
What We’re Wearing
With London Fashion Week and Plus Size Fashion Weekend hot on our heels, we thought we’d turn our hand to sharing what we’re wearing this season at Evans HQ. Styling trends from monochrome to colourblock, contrast panels and sheer textures, see what our ladies recommend from the spring/summer collection:
Carina says: This outfit is perfect for those weeks between winter and spring. I love the stylish grey and black colour combination, while the multicolour knit and contrast coat adds extra interest by mixing lots of great textures. The electric blue court shoes finish the look and add a fresh burst of colour.
Nimet says: I love the way my sheer leopard print shirt looks with my biker jacket and these high waisted jeans give me a lovely silhouette. A pop of colour is a must for spring so I’d add these coloured courts and match some bright orange lipstick to finish my look.
To see more of the team and their wardrobe picks, as well as to shop their looks and see the full feature, click here.
Introducing Alex Monroe
With just two weeks to go until our exciting jewellery collaboration with London based designer, Alex Monroe, we thought we’d give you a preview of what’s to come at Evans with the new Alouette collection.
Alouette draws upon a dedication and love for nature, whilst paying homage to the glamour of the 1950’s that we all know and love at Evans HQ. The collection features natural forms and organic patterns inspired by the works of English textile designer, William Morris.
We chatted exclusively to Alex Monroe to grab an insight into his work, the collection and hear more about his designs.
Hi Alex. Tell our ladies a little bit about yourself and ‘Alex Monroe’ jewellery.
Ah, well. I’m 6 foot 4, 24 years old, and very handsome. I wish. Actually I’ve been making jewellery for 25 years now so I’m no spring chicken any more. It’s the only thing I know how to do. I have three lovely daughters and am married to Denise. I design and make every original piece of jewellery. I design at least two new collections each year which we sell at the London, Paris, New York and Tokyo fashion shows. It sounds glamorous but it’s blooming hard work. I love the time I get in the workshop best. That’s what I am; a jewellery maker.
When did you realise your love and talent for jewellery design and creation?
Oh, that’s nice to assume I have some. Sometimes I’m not so sure. I suppose it’s a progressive thing. I love making things, making anything, not just jewellery. And I think I’m continuously honing my skills so I’m not there yet. That’s probably what keeps it fascinating, always striving to do things a little better, always hoping for those elusive highs.
How does an Alex Monroe design come about, from start to finish?
Cor blimey! How long do you have? Here’s a condensed version:
- Initial idea or inspiration (eg. The inevitable pain of love, or freewheeling on a bicycle on a spring morning); it’s usually a very broad theme.
- Original research; museums, books, countryside, churches or whatever.
- Draw up some ideas.
- Develop your ideas into loose designs.
- Get into the workshop and start making.
- Take all the things you’ve made and construct them into pieces of jewellery.
- Stand back and have a look. Does your original inspiration show through? And does everyone in the studio want to wear the pieces you’ve made. Are they desirable, fashionable and wearable?
Is there a story behind any of the Alex Monroe pieces from the main/Evans collection?
Everything has a story behind it. For the Evans collection we looked back a generation or two at the fuller figure, but we didn’t want to reference the unattainable glamour of Hollywood. We imagined a child watching her mother getting ready for a party in the 60’s or early 70’s. That intimate personal glamour. The smell of her perfume and carefully fastening earrings or a necklace. Some of the inspiration comes from William Morris imagery too. Furling curling leaves. I think we’ve retained that nostalgic sense of voluptuous glamour.
Finally, what’s next at Alex Monroe?
Oh my days. Lots. We’ve started the year running exhibitions in Paris, New York and Tokyo. I’m writing a book. New collections. Lots and lots. It makes me tired just thinking about it. But it’s all fun so I’ve a lot to look forward to.
Don’t miss out on the Alex Monroe for Evans collection. Register your details here to be the first to know every update.
Evans Shape Studio: Spring/Summer 2013
Yesterday saw our much anticipated brand blogger event take place – a fun filled celebration of all things shape, Evans and Spring/Summer. With bloggers travelling through the snow from all around the country to meet up and preview some exciting new collections, it was our biggest and best blogger event to date.
Our bloggers were pampered with champagne and nibbles, as well as a team of hair stylists, make up artists and a professional photographer so they could dress up and strike a pose in the new season’s must haves.
Wearing their favourite pieces from our Scarlett & Jo, Collection, Live Unlimited and Alex Monroe ranges, our ladies enjoyed every minute of being thoroughly looked after.
All in all, a fabulous day of meeting new faces and catching up with some lovely blogging ladies – we’re already looking forward to seeing everyone again soon!
See what the bloggers were Tweeting live on the night by following the #EvansShapeStudio Twitter feed.
2012 Highlights
If you’re anything like us, it is quite likely that you’re reading this following a turkey-leftovers sandwich, basking in post-sale glory and taking a well-earned break before the New Year festivities get underway.
At Evans HQ, we can hardly believe that 2012 is coming to an end. It’s been a fantastic year of collaborations, patriotic celebration and it even saw the launch of our much anticipated Clements Ribeiro range. Take a trip down memory lane and check out the highlights of the year with us…
So where do we begin? We kicked off the year in style with seeing the Clements Ribeiro A/W12 collection at London Fashion Week ahead of their exclusive collection with us. We treated a selection of our bloggers to seasonal previews of the range for Evans, and started a series of posts to ensure the Evans woman knew exactly how to dress for her shape.
The month of May saw us win a Prima High Street Fashion Award in the 16+ category, in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, a cause that Evans supports throughout the year. We then hopped over the pond to attend Full Figured Fashion Week with EvansUSA and report back on the latest plus size trends from New York, and celebrated the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee (not on a river float) with a series of fabulous offers and competitions.
Going back to our Shape Advisor roots this year, we also launched some exciting events to bring Evans to you. Starting with Plus North, we were at the event to spread the word on ‘Shape’ and to meet lots of our lovely shoppers and bloggers. We kicked off our ‘Style Your Shape, Shape Your Style’ roadshows in Birmingham, Sheffield and Manchester, with teams of shape specialists, a mini fashion show and advice sessions…
Finally, the latter half of the year saw our big flagship store move to Marble Arch, with Look magazine, along with the exclusive Swan by Clements Ribeiro Christmas collection, phew! A big thank you also goes to our Bloggers for Your Shape – Marie, Georgina, Rebecca and Ulrike – for the fantastic post series that has run on Fashion Fix, and to the fabulous Lisa Riley for her continued support for Evans throughout her successful Strictly spot.
So ladies, it’s time to settle back and relax with some more sale shopping before the New Year’s merriment begins – after we have plenty more in store for you in 2013!
Merry Christmas
From everyone at Evans, we hope you have a very Merry Christmas with your loved ones.
With love,
Evans x
EvansUSA.com at Full Figured Fashion Week 2012
Last week we attended Full Figured Fashion Week in New York City, from June 13-16 2012, to introduce our US shoppers to EvansUSA.com and to meet some of our favourite plus size bloggers and members of the plus community.
Alongside the bright lights of NYC, we had a great time meeting inspiring, glamouous and gorgeous plus size women from around the world who had come together to celebrate plus size fashion. From the buzzing press event and the sunset cruise with a white dress code, to the Curves in the City shopping event and the grand finale fashion show (including 15 looks from EvansUSA.com!) we loved every second and hope you did if you were able to attend.
Here’s a little bit about the event and the creator of FFFWeek, Gwen DeVoe.
Full Figured Fashion Week (FFFWeek) is produced by DeVoe Signature Events (DSE), a boutique events management company with an extensive background in the production of fashion related events and a strong and effective mix of proven plus industry experience and success.
With over 15 years experience in fashion show production, Gwen DeVoe, CEO of DSE, Creator and Executive Producer of FFFWeek says, ‘It is time for designers, retailers, boutique owners and businesses with an interest in the plus size market to combine their resources and talents and partner with a plus fashion event that will rival other Fashion Weeks and Full Figured Fashion Week IS that event.’
Now in our fourth year as the exclusive producers of Full Figured Fashion Wee, DSE continues to receive accolades throughout the plus community and national and international media coverage of the event.
Here are a few of the looks we had on the catwalk and the stunning models who showed just how fabulous plus size fashion can be.
Clements Ribeiro for Evans: Blogger’s Preview
On Monday afternoon we hosted an afternoon tea at Evans HQ for some of our favourite UK bloggers to come in and get a sneak peek at our debut Clements Ribeiro for Evans collection, Swan, and have a dress up session where the lovely ladies could try on their favourite pieces from the collection.
The most popular items during the day were the red tea dress, the match stick print trousers, the bird print coat and the heart print tunic and dress. We’re happy to say that everyone seemed to love the collection and we loved hearing what the plus size fashion expert verdict was on the collection we’ve worked hard on to create a beautiful plus size high fashion collection for the high street.
The wait is almost over and the Clements Ribeiro Swan collection for Evans will be available exclusively online at evans.co.uk from Saturday 31st March 2012 and in the following UK stores from Monday 2nd April 2012:
Marble Arch, Bluewater, Lakeside, Metro Gateshead, Meadowhall, Trafford, Liverpool, Glasgow, Dublin and Belfast.
Sizes range from 14-32 and prices start from £25 - £99.
A big thank you to all the lovely bloggers who came to the event - Rosie, Naomi, Diane, Joanna, Becky, Diana, Amy, LaCara and Micheala.
Clements Ribeiro for Evans: Coming Soon
We’re only a few weeks away from the launch of the exclusive Clements Ribeiro for Evans collection, Swan. We’re so excited for you all to see our first collection with the iconic fashion duo Clements Ribeiro.
Clements Ribeiro is the partnership of husband and wife Inacio Ribeiro and Suzanne Clements. The couple met and graduated at Central St Martin’s design school and are now renowned around the world for the work which is routed in elegant shapes, bold colours and vintage inspired prints. Here’s a bit about the collection from Inacio himself.
‘Suzanne and I are very happy to be creating a line for Evans. Fashion is waking up to diversity and acknowledging the different needs of women of all shapes, colours and sizes. It is a very exciting opportunity for us to use our design skills, in order to create beautiful clothes for a market that has been largely neglected by the higher end of the industry. We are creating fantastic prints, great shapes and great knitwear, of course. We look forward to launching the first collection.’ Inacio Riberiro
Head to Evans.co.uk/ClementsRibeiro for more information about the collection, be introduced to the designers and play our fun game ‘Match the Print’ where you match the Clements Ribeiro prints in the quickest time for your chance to win an exclusive print signed by Inacio Ribeiro and Suzanne Clements
Hilary Alexander, Fashion Journalist, introduces us to Clements Ribeiro from the very start to the present day. The story of Clements Ribeiro is both a love story and story of a love affair with fashion.
For more details about Clements Ribeiro for Evans go to Evans.co.uk/ClementsRibeiro.
