As you saw I had a mini adventure to Manchester last weekend to go to the Curve Fashion Festival. As I’d injured my shoulder the Friday morning it meant I missed out on the Evans event (and my Travelodge that was non- refundable booooo) on the Friday evening and drove up the Saturday morning collecting Toni and Faith on the way! 

We arrived just after it opened and we caught the first fashion show and then wandered around. 

   
    
 
The loveliest people award had to go to the Very team (even if they did ask to take our pics as we were stylish , only not to see them again!!) as they were super friendly had great product knowledge and were running a style challenge! I loved the dress I picked so am thinking of buying it- what do you think? 

  
I then bought some pants from Curvy Kate for £1 each it was rude not to so I stocked up and brought them on holiday with me, alongside my other new pant addition Chaffree (more about those in another post) for now here’s me and GG in our matching ones!

  
I also took full advantage of the Scarlett&Jo sample sale, and the items I tweeted about from their account on the day I bought. First up was the gorgeous feather tunic I’d had my eye on since seeing the fabulous Em from Terrible Tumbles in it. It was a size 16 sample but I chanced it! I also got a gorgeous kimono as thanks for live tweeting which I love and wore my first day on holiday. 

   
 I picked up the autumnal skirt that’s similar to my black floral one in a size 24 it fits just not as snug as my size 20 does and finally a pair of floral trousers again like my blue floral pair but a size 24. Again they fit just as well as my 18’s if not a little looser at the waist. I wore these on the Sunday to visit my nephews before we went away and then to travel in they were that comfy! Total bargains! Here’s some of the lovely ladies wth Gifi toasting to the day! 

   
 I visited lots of the other stalls there anf the award for the best time at the stall goes to the Studio Eight Stall, we tried on dresses and got to chat to the buyer Ellie who’s product knowledge was off the chain and you could see she took real pride in every design even insisting on tying a dress the right way on Faith. She spoke about how they fit their garments and how all the items are designed for the range not just Phase Eight garments sized up. They had some beautiful pieces and if I need an occasion outfit I’ll be taking a look there for sure. I did love this scuba dress though and I think it would work for meals out as its not as formal as some of the others. (Sleeves are from my body suit there was no way I was taking it off!) 

  
We then collapsed as it was pretty tiring work! It was fab to see lots of familiar faces and new ones too- all inspirations in their own way. This group shot taken by Alfie sums it up well.

  
There were some seminars that I’d looked forward to but I had some very shattered bloggers I needed to get home so after a hunt for Almost Famous and amazing bacon fries and burger action we headed back across the M62 home. 
Overall the event was fab there were couple of improvements that could have been made one being seating – there wasn’t enough and the seats were small with arms so difficult to sit in for many. Secondly was the model diversity, the sizes in the catwalk didn’t represent the audience, now I know that’s the same in a lot of catwalks- not everyone who rocks up to LFW is a 6 are they? But I think a better job could have been made. To single out ASOS curve who’s sizing starts at an 18, and whose sample size they make is an 18 (I should know I got some here!) I’m unclear how they fit the models that walked for them as they weren’t a size 18. They did a fab job though and had fab attitude when walking and I don’t want to take away from that, but it could have been a few more models to represent the audience. 

Like I say it will be improved upon next year, as there’s plans already underway(keep the 1st October free if you’re interested!) but for a first the event I thought it ran well and I’m sure it will be bigger and better for 2016! 
Finally what did I wear? Well I opted to rep for ASOS and wore an Alice and You lace up  eyelet bodysuit from there with an ASOS Tall khaki midi eyelet skirt, I managed to get it in a size 20 which I was happy to see the Tall range go up to. I wore a black Warehouse belt (which broke) an old RI chain necklace , my favourite RI lace up heels and a new Pauls Boutique bag from ASOS in the sale. I also wore my new faux fur gilet/cardy/waistcoat but took it off before we went in as it was so hot in there! Thanks to everyone for the compliments on this outfit, I pushed outside my comfort zone with some VBO on show and a tight top, but I think the outfit did sum up my overall ‘fashion led but not edgy for the sake of it’ style! What do you think?