How a Des Moines boutique is uplifting plus-sized women using fashion shows

On the third floor of Mainframe Studios, you can hear music, laughing and heels clicking on the cement floors.

Models all dressed in their own unique looks were called into Urban Couture Photography's studio to have their photos taken. They were told to just be themselves and have fun for the photo shoot. Creating a space for them that is rarely allowed in department stores and social media.

Des Moines modeling event hopes to inspire 'curvy' women to stop hiding

Harlow and James, the Des Moines area's only plus-size boutique, hosted a photos and fashion session exclusively for curvy women Wednesday evening. The catchphrase was "NO. MORE. HIDING."

Harlow and James owners Brenda Garrison and Kelly Eddy are on the hunt for models who will participate in future fashion shows, photo shoots and be featured on the boutique's website.

"We have had people say it has healed their shopping trauma," Garrison said of their store.

The photo and fashion session turned out to be bigger than either of the owners expected. More than 80 women responded to Harlow and James model request. Garrison and Eddy narrowed down the applicants to 30 women.

Photo shoot helps women find community in Des Moines

"We have had a wonderful experience so fair," Eddy said at the event as models chattered and laughed in the background. "I mean you can hear them. We're meeting new friends and they're finding their own community. It fills our cup every day, but this especially has been a wonderful experience, so positive."

Each model had their photo taken by Valerie Carr, of Urban Couture Photography, where they could pose however they felt comfortable. After, the models sat down for an interview with Garrison and Eddy.

Recruiting more models will allow Garrison and Eddy to manage their fashion shows as opposed to having to be in them.

"We've both been plus size the majority of our lives," Garrison said. "We had experienced a lot of plus size women that don't think that they're worthy of looking good or having confidence. That was one of our main goals, to have people leave away from us with a smile on their face."

Harlow and James support 'makes you feel confident' says model

Taylor Nelson heard about the photos and fashion session through Harlow and James' email list. Nelson went to the store before the fashion show to have Garrison and Eddy help her pick her outfit.

"Not only are the clothes cute, but the support you have there makes you feel confident," Nelson said.

Nola Cartmill first heard about the event after having some photos taken by Carr. Cartmill is a chief diversity officer for her day job, and she said there is a weight bias in our world.

"We stereotype people who live in larger bodies in a way that is unfair," Cartmill said. "And I think it is fair to celebrate the beauty and the joy, and you can be beautiful and love fashion."

Akia Taplin found out about Harlow and James' modeling opportunity at an art festival. She saw a sign looking for plus-sized models and realized she had never seen anything like it in the area before.

"There's not really a positive space for people to talk about plus-sized bodies," Taplin said. "It's nice to have a space where you feel accepted and part of a community."

Shopping experience sparks partnership with Urban Couture Photography

Carr started as a customer at Harlow and James.

"Our businesses align really well," Carr said. "You're not just like shopping for things like you get a hug, you get to, you know, have a conversation, you get supported, you get extra like fitting and service and help finding things that look good for your body."

The three hit it off instantly. Garrison and Eddy remembered feeling so confident and comfortable with Carr's photography style that they wanted other women to experience it.

"Val has really been a huge part of us branding our shop with the photographs that she's taken, she makes everyone feel so comfortable in her studio. And right now she's got an exclusively curvy campaign going on and we're hoping that with the curvy model search, and promoting, that will help curvy women get in front of the camera a little bit more."

What are the next steps in Harlow and James' model search?

Garrison and Eddy will narrow the 30 models to a group of finalists, who will announced on Monday, July 15. From there, the public will get a chance to vote. The finalists will have a photo shoot with Carr and the store plans to complete the process with a reveal party.

"We will do this again next year for sure, and next year I bet it is going to be twice as big," Garrison said.

Where is Harlow and James, the plus-size boutique?

Harlow and James is located at 417 Maple St. in West Des Moines. The hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The store's clothing items can be viewed on the Harlow and James website, harlowandjames.com.

The store was also designed so "everybody feels welcome, not intimidated, and comfortable," Garrison said. It includes extra large dressing rooms with fans.

Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR.

Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Harlow and James fashion show makes space for 'curvy' women