Made in USA B&Lu fashions dress the plus-sized ladies in fabulous style

By April MacIntyre Oct 9, 2010, 20:57 GMT

Sholl\'s minimalist wraps and cardigans were the antidote to the mass amounts of matronly, dowdy department store offerings, as she created fashion pieces for women in the 1x-5x size range (most stores carry 1x-3x).

A Minnesota entrepreneur started her own fashion company with just her own basement as a workspace, armed with the singular idea that fashionable pieces for plus-sized women can have panache and a beautiful cut and drape, and be easy to maintain and travel with.

The American company, B&Lu, began in 2000 in Christine Sholl's home with just a few select pieces.

Sholl's minimalist wraps and cardigans were the antidote to the mass amounts of matronly, dowdy department store offerings, as she created fashion pieces for women in the 1x-5x size range (most stores carry 1x-3x).

The B&Lu concept was born: unique, high fashion inspired and shaped styles in an extended range of sizes. Christine now creates dresses, jeans, tops, sweaters, jackets, pants, and skirts in sizes 14 and up.

B&Lu is a virtual fashion boutique for women with limited options in the retail venues.

Christine sent Monsters and Critics a wonderful, versatile and easy to pack cardigan called "Kendra," in a size 14 ( I am a 10/12) that fit in a very flattering way, a bit oversized the way I like a cardigan to look.  The Kendra packed well, not wrinkling at all in my suitcase, and it served as the perfect weight jacket when I went to Florida recently, where you go from humid warm/hot weather to freezing cold air conditioning constantly and need a piece like this jacket to throw on in restaurants, shops and hospitals.

The Kendra Cardigan is described as a Rayon "slub boyfriend style cardigan" which is roomy and comfortable. Rouched long sleeves with front pockets that layer beautifully for cool fall and winter days. Fabric is texturized rayon and very stretchy. 95% rayon, 5% spandex. Machine wash delicate or hand wash cold. Hang dry.

Best of all? The Kendra is 100% Made in the USA by B&Lu.

The Tyra Banks Show featured b&lu founder Christine as a leading expert on discussing the need for more eclectic and innovative plus size clothes for women.

She shared her own inspiration of how and why she came into the business as well as being a part of Tyra’s Beauty Inside and Out Campaign for the future. Her designs have been seen on Fox 9 AM Minneapolis and TLC's 10 Years Younger.

Some celebrities seen wearing Christine's genius designs are Octavia Spencer of “Seven Pounds”, Kaycee Stroh from Celebrity Fit Club 2010 and recently Oscar Nominee Gabourey Sidibe’s of “Precious”.
If you are looking for fab fitting clothes and have gicen up on the mall, visit Christine here: http://www.bandlu.com/contactus.shtml

Keep sending me your Made in the USA cool items and Small American Business tips!

April MacIntyre is Monsters and Critics' smallscreen and people/celebrity editor who is always looking for unusual American companies.  You can follow her on Twitter.