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A wedding should be a cause for celebration—not humiliation. Yukia Walker, founder of Curvaceous Couture, says that she "suffered one insult after another" when trying to buy a size-20 wedding gown three years ago. WWD writes:
Stores didn't have samples in her size, so she was forced to try on dresses with the backs cut out. "It was a very humiliating and humbling experience," Walker said. "My sister had to try on my wedding gowns for me. It was very disheartening. I had to get a size 16 and go on a crash diet. I ended up with a wedding gown that I hate."Last September, Walker opened Curvaceous Couture in Columbia, Maryland—a bridal shop that sells dresses in sizes 16 to 32. So far, it's doing fantastically—so well that Walker plans on opening additional branches in Atlanta, Chicago, and Dallas.
Luxury designer Reem Acra has just launched an exclusive collaboration with the store—opening a 1,000 square foot shop-in-shop at the Columbia location. "We're even doing ball gowns," Acra said. "Even if someone is curvaceous, it doesn't mean she can't wear a mermaid dress. Some things have embroidery and other embellishments. It's quite a big selection. Curvaceous Couture is buying my samples and hanging them in our shop-in-shop. Just to have a store focusing on the high end is a major accomplishment."
· Reem Acra [Official Site]
· Curvaceous Couture [Official Site]
· Curvaceous Couture, Acra Focus on Plus-Size Brides [WWD]