Ashley Nell Tipton, Project Runway Season 14 Winner, Supports Working Wardrobes Plus Size Clothing Drive

While 60% of the men, women, young adults, and veterans Working Wardrobes serves are plus size, most of the professional clothing donations the organization receives aren't.  Curves Work is designed to solicit gently used work and casual clothing for Working Wardrobes' plus size clients.

"I partnered with Working Wardrobes because I wanted to be part of an organization that lifts people's spirits," said Ashley Nell Tipton.  "Working Wardrobes needs plus size clothing donations to help women and men feel confident on their journey to finding a job. This is what we need in today's world – to lift people up – and Working Wardrobes is doing that."

All too familiar with the bullying and stereotypes that come with being a full figured woman, and equally familiar with the lack of plus size clothing options available for women, Ashley used her love of design and fashion as a creative outlet to develop a flourishing career as a plus size fashion designer and advocate of fun, frisky, and fashion forward clothing for full figured women.  She turned the fashion world on its head by becoming the first plus size designer to be featured on Project Runway and ultimately went on to win Season 14. 

"Ashley is an inspiration to our clients who have overcome serious personal challenges in their lives, and who are now on the road to self-improvement and a positive self-image," said Jerri Rosen, founder and CEO of Working Wardrobes.  "When clients walk through our door, our job is to transform them from the inside out but that transformation has been difficult for our full figured clients due to a lack of plus size clothing donations.  We want each and every one of the clients we serve to feel great on the inside and look great on the outside so they can nail that job interview."

Watch Ashley's video promoting Curves Work here: http://www.workingwardrobes.org/curveswork/

Consider the following statistics:

• 67% of women in the U.S. are plus size.¹
• The average American woman now wears between a size 16 to 18¹
• The plus size market remains underserved at just 17% of the U.S. women's apparel market overall.   2
• Sales of women's plus size clothing increased to $20.4 billion in the 12 months ending February 2016, up from $19.8 billion at the same timeframe a year prior.  2
• U.S. teens purchasing in the junior size category dropped from 81% in 2012 to 73% in 2015, while teens purchasing plus size clothing grew to 34% compared to 19% in 2012.²
• While clothing options for plus size women remain limited even today, the demand for plus size clothing continues to grow. 

To support Curves Work during the month of June 2017, please donate gently used, good condition plus size professional and casual clothing at the Working Wardrobes Career Center at 1851 Kettering Street, Irvine, California 92614 on Mondays through Saturdays from 10:00am to 2:00pm.  You can also mail your donations to this same address.

Ashley will be speaking at the Working Wardrobes Smart Women event on July 19, 2017, at the Working Wardrobes Career Center.  For more information about how you can meet Ashley in person and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.workingwardrobes.org/flyers/meet-ashley.pdf. 

Visit www.workingwardrobes.org to learn more about the nonprofit, or visit https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/workingwardrobes/successpartner.html to become a Success Partner and support Working Wardrobes clients on an ongoing basis.

(1)  2016 Washington State University Study, Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles.
(2)  2015 NPD Group's Consumer Tracking Service. http://www.retaildive.com/news/why-plus-size-fashion-is-still-struggling-with-image-problems/419460/

About Working Wardrobes
Working Wardrobes does everything in its power to help men, women, young adults, and veterans overcome difficult challenges so they can achieve the dignity of work. The organization provides career training, job placement assistance, and professional wardrobe services in an environment of dignity and respect.  Since its inception in 1990, Working Wardrobes has served over 90,000 clients, including thousands of veterans.

SOURCE Working Wardrobes

Related Links

http://www.workingwardrobes.org