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Plus size tops

Sharing the beautiful women we dress on YouTube.

It’s been a long time in the making, and now that it’s a reality, I wonder what took me so long! Launching a Plus Size Youtube channel http://bit.ly/2AU1ZPN is my 2019 commitment… and my why is all about introducing Plus size women, far and wide, to the Hayley Joy brand, of respectful Plus size fashion.

The beautiful Reana and I talking about how to wear print if you’re a 6XL

For far to long I’ve heard the same story about the frustration around Plus Size shopping, and that frustration is 100% justified. I’m a Plus size myself, and I know how it feels to go into a store when they’ve advertised that they stock Plus sizes, and not one thing fits. It’s disrespectful and soul-destroying.

Dressing a variety of sizes and shapes is a very big part of our beautiful world at Hayley Joy.

My commitment at Hayley Joy is to honour my Plus size truth. The entire store is filled with fashion that fits, no matter your size or your shape. I’ve also realised that in order for you to have the confidence to walk through the door, you need to see the clothes on real Plus size women, and that’s why I’ve launched a YouTube channel, showcasing the beautiful REAL women we dress at Hayley Joy.

Arlene and I talking about embracing colour, no matter your size or your shape.

Feel free to subscribe to the Hayley Joy – Plus Size, Youtube channel http://bit.ly/2R51d7Q

Here’s a how to in case you’re new to YouTube:

How to subscribe if you’re new to YouTube:

1. Sign into your YouTube app on you phone/tablet or your google account in your internet browser on your computer.

2. Sign in by using your gmail account and password.

3. Search Hayley Joy Plus Size Fashion on Youtube.

4. Click on any one of my videos and click on the red subscribe button under the video.

5. Click on the 🔔 next to the subscribe button to be notified when I post new videos. I’m so excited to share my evolving journey with you.

❤️ Hayley

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Not because I’m clever, but because I’m soooooo damn determined!

Being able to share this print journey with you, from a photo taken by me on my iPhone, to a complete garment, is indeed a very special moment.

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Ordinary to Extraordinary.

This is a print journey that starts with an out of focus orange Gazania Daisy taken in my garden, and ends in a fabric print that I’m so incredibly proud of. I spent days figuring out a way to get to the final result, and I do think that I went to the moon and back…probably unnecessarily…but it was sooooo worth the result, considering I don’t really know very much about fabric design. What I do know though, is that you don’t have to be clever, you just have to be determined!

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Out of focus, Gazania daisy, about to embark on a very exciting editing journey.

So what to do with an out of focus photo? I’ve been incredibly lucky to be part of the iPhone Photography School, and have been introduced to so many amazing apps, that are available to us all via the App Store. As I was about to delete the photo, I changed my mind and converted the ‘bad photo’ to black and white. Violá, totally blown away, I loved that the sprinklings of pollen looked like glitter.

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Converted to black and white, now I’m sparkling.

Whilst playing around in numerous apps I tried a mosaic effect, but I realised that it’s very in your face, so I carried on experimenting, and then happened upon a grunge filter which was perfect.

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The journey to get to the mosaic print.

On my buying trips to Hong Kong, I used to see these kinds of prints, in these grunge colours, and I so yearned for somebody to import them into South Africa. I was just never able to get any of the importers to understand the need for these kinds of prints. Being able to design them myself, and print them, and then manufacture collections out of them, is down to pure determination.

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Grunge print.

I’m passionate about Roses and could quite happily put them on every future print. I took a photo of a beautiful pink rose in my garden, and put it through the same grunge process.

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Pink rose from my garden.

I then went on an editing journey that took a very long time, actually an insanely long time, because I’m such a perfectionist. I’ve come to realise though, that if I want perfection, I’m going to have to learn patience.

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From B&W to Grunge…because anything is possible.

Placing the roses perfectly in the lines of the mosaic was a mammoth undertaking, but I taught myself how to do it and this Grunge Rose print is the result.

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Dreamed by me, designed by me, printed by me…I love the sound of these words.

I’ve printed it in plain, and then I had some real fun with it in my numerous apps, and I came up with some fun prints by adding coloured hearts. Hearts and roses work really well for me, they make me happy.

Red hearts and Grunge roses
Turquoise hearts and Grunge roses

Knowing that this process starts with a plain piece of white fabric, and in a couple of hours it’s printed fabric, and in another couple of hours, it’s a fabulous Plus size, Miracle shape top, makes me a very happy fabric designer, and an even happier fashion designer. I now have access to anything and everything I dream of, because if I dream it, I can now have it.

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Grunge print, Miracle shape top designed by Hayley Joy

 

❤ Hayley

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The endless possibilities of the Miracle Shape top.

I’m so proud of this incredibly rewarding shape. It allows me to accomodate all shapes and sizes, with the confidence that I need, to be able to convince my clients that I really do understand their needs.

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Miracle Shape top with Daisy detail.

So what exactly are the needs of a Plus size women? They’re actually pretty simple if you understand the requirements of a Plus size shape. Being Plus size myself, qualifies me to REALLY understand the needs.

When I started out designing this shape, the first thing that I created was a basic shape that had shape. In my experience on the floor in the store, I came to understand that we don’t put weight on in our shoulders, and we have a waist, yes we really do!

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Miracle Shape top in Multi coloured animal print.

I’ve taken this basic shape and interpreted many different styles onto it, and I love the response that they all get. This past Saturday in the store, really affirmed for me, how perfect this shape is for my market. I’ve built shape into the waist, and given the tummy, hips and behind the correct amount of swing, in order to flatter all shapes.

My reward for the commitment to attempting to accomodate all shapes and sizes is the gratitude received from all of you who wear this wonderful style.

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Miracle Shape top Zig Zag multi floral angle top.

We have a variety of different styles of the Miracle Shape top in store, and online at www.hayleyjoy.com.  I’m sharing some of my favourites with you.

❤️ Hayley

 

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In my wildest dreams……

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Passionate for Prints.

If you’d told me two years ago when I designed the Miracle Shape top, that I would have built up a following of clients, who would respond the way you all respond, whenever I make a new collection of these tops, I don’t think I would have believed it.

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Production ready for retail.

It is a dream come true, to know that every time I go fabric shopping, and I put this incredibly rewarding shape into production, you all respond exactly as I dreamt it, with such gratitude.

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Pink Paisley miracle shape top.

It is such a privilege to be doing what I’m doing…every.single.day.
❤️ Hayley

In store now in a variety of prints.
Sizes M – 7XL
Prices from R799 – R899

Hayley Joy
Shop 10
Dunkeld West Shopping Centre
281 Jan Smuts Ave
Dunkeld
JHB
(At the back of the centre)
011 325-2488

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A commitment to all Shapes and Sizes.

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Veronica, my true inspiration.

Being able to dress any size, and any shape, in my Plus size collections, is the highlight of my design career. When I opened Hayley Joy, I was determined to create an environment, where every woman felt welcome and respected.

My brief to Hayley Joy production was that every style I designed and put into production, had to be able to be sized from a Small to a 7XL, so when we worked on the new Miracle Swing camisole, I held my thumbs that it would look amazing on all sizes.

This photo of Veronica who is one of my oldest and dearest customers, proves that we are absolutely on the right track. I’m loving every minute of pushing the design boundaries for Plus sizes…NOTHING.IS.IMPOSSIBLE, and Veronica is the perfect example of that philosophy.
❤️ Hayley

 

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New Season, New Shape, New Collection…it’s called Ethereal.

Exciting times in Hayley Joy production…we’ve been developing a new shape, the Hayley Joy Miracle Flare Top, to add to our Plus size Miracle top collection.

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A Top called Ethereal.

With this style, my brief to my production team was ‘Ethereal’, I wanted something floaty but flattering. The challenge is always to be able to size from a Small to a 7XL without losing the aesthetic. My commitment is that every style must be able to be produced in all sizes. I also wanted a different sleeve design, I wanted a beautiful floaty sleeve, that would look feminine, be flattering, and above all else, be cool.

Huge advantage to being the in-house model…I get to try all new samples on. I’ve tried it on, and it’s a winner. I loved the feel of this top and I know you’re going to love it.

❤️ Hayley

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The simplicity of the Hayley Joy Miracle Shape top.

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Black and White Spot, Miracle Shape top.

How do I explain to you via a social media post, how incredible the fit of this very simple Plus size, Miracle Shape top is? The best I can do is post this photo, and tell you that after all these years, I still marvel at how the simplest of fabrics and designs still have the ability to blow me away.

When I first tried it on, my instant reaction was…wow look at how much shape I have, even after a ‘bit of a fall off the weight bus, winter’…eeeek!!
The fabric is definitely the reason for the wonderful fit. It is lightweight and has a slinky feel to it, but it doesn’t cling.

I’ve kept the design very simple and am letting the fabric shine this time. If you’re looking for a simple, casual, comfortable top for everyday, this is it.
For those of you who have already bought it, thank you for the feedback and I’m glad you are enjoying the simplicity and comfort.
❤️ Hayley

Sizes S – 7XL
Price: R699 (S-4XL)
R750 (5XL-6XL)
R799 (7XL)

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Is Shape even an option when designing for Plus sizes?

Yes it is, if you have a whole lot of patience and determination…oh and it helps if the designer is Plus size herself!!

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I’ve spent the last two years determined to create Plus size shapes with Shape. I’ve gone where I never thought I could go, and I’ve uncovered a tiny little area just under the bust, that I’ve worked with, that allows me to shape any size. For way too long, Plus size styles have been stuck in a rut of, however big the tummy and the behind are, that’s how big the area around the shoulders and the bust need to be. That’s the furtherest thing from design truth, it just needed somebody to take the time (a lot of it), and a whole lot of patience, to find shape. It really is there, and it makes the hugest difference to the fit of Plus size clothing.

Working with the new Hayley Joy Miracle Shape tops is like a breath of fresh air for me. Being able to tell clients that I will give them shape, no matter their size, is the most wonderful feeling, and then seeing the look on their faces when they see the shape for themselves, when standing in front of the mirror, is like winning a gold medal. I truly feel like I’ve done my own Olympics whilst designing these new shapes. All the hard work is perfectly cemented when I see the new Summer ’16 collections coming out of Hayley Joy production.
❤️ Hayley

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Illusions created by Diagonals for Plus Sizes.

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Pink and Grey Animal print Overvest with black Undertop.

In my never ending attempts to create slimming illusions, I have come to really appreciate the power of diagonal lines. With each new design I get to see how much slimmer I can make you look, by combining complimentary fabrics, and playing with interesting and flattering angles.

This fabric posed a challenge, as it actually has distinct horizontal lines that are set widely apart, which is not flattering for Plus sizes at all. Hayley Joy production and I pushed the boundary somewhat, and cut the panels in such a way, that you don’t notice the stripes. I soooooo love that we  can do that!! It’s one of the many advantages of me having my own production facility, we can play around with concepts that would never be entertained by a CMT factory, and if they did, it would be way to expensive. It doesn’t always make good business sense because it takes that much longer to hand cut, but I really loved the fabric and knew we could make a plan.

This multi fabric mesh overvest is in store now, and works perfectly paired with a plain black short sleeve Miracle undertop.

❤️ Hayley

Sizes S – 6XL
Price R899 for the Overvest, R599 for the Undertop.

 

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