A dress design by Courtney Capazzi ’18, a fashion design major in the ’ (VPA) School of Design, is now available for purchase thanks to retailer Ashley Stewart, the leading plus-size fashion and social commerce brand, and iconic supermodel Emme ’85.
Capazzi’s design was selected as the winner of the 2017 Fashion Without Limits (FWL) EMME Fashion Award. FWL is an inclusive fashion design initiative co-founded by Emme and VPA’s School of Design to improve the lives of all women (including 100 million women above a size 12 in the U.S. alone) not able to find well-fitting, fashionable clothes to reflect their lifestyle.
“Going into our fifth year, we’re excited to slowly see American designers and retailers embrace women’s fashion more inclusively,” says Emme.
“I am excited to be a part of inclusive fashion, and I hope to continue designing with size inclusion and sustainability throughout my career,” says Capazzi.
Capazzi’s winning dress, which celebrates women’s curves, not only caught the eye of Emme and her fellow FWL judges, but also Ashley Stewart, which has embraced and celebrated women’s bodies in all their shapes and sizes since the very beginning. The dress is available from Ashley Stewart in coral and black.
“When designing the dress, I wanted to create a classic, form-fitting, sexy silhouette that was equally comfortable and flattering,” says Capazzi. “I started draping on the form, playing with folding and ruching, and the design quickly came to life.”
Ashley Stewart and Emme also recently launched Me by Emme, a new capsule collection of four spring and summer dresses spotlighting sleek, effortless and affordable style. For more fierce fashion and information on Capazzi’s dress and Me by Emme, as well as additional upcoming brand launches and activations, visit and follow @ByAshleyStewart and @ByAshleyTV on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
FWL is a global initiative where young designers in fashion design schools are taught an inclusive fashion education (pattern making, draping, illustration, design and grading) for women size 0-24 and above. FWL’s mission is to strengthen the impact of fashion design in women’s lives and the global economy. For more information about Emme and FWL, visit and follow @Supermodelemme on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
鶹Ƶ Ashley Stewart
Ashley Stewart is a global fashion and lifestyle brand that has propelled itself to be on the vanguard of social commerce. Since its founding in 1991 in Brooklyn, New York, Ashley Stewart has always stood for uncompromising style, fashion, confidence & empowerment for the woman who flaunts her curves. Today, Ashley Stewart offers the hottest looks with 89 stores across the United States, a leading and global e-commerce presence at , a powerful social media presence @byashleystewart and a growing multimedia and events arm at . Every year, through the Findiing Ashley Stewart Tour, Ashley Stewart traverses the country looking to recognize women who embody the ideals of the Ashley Stewart women: kindness, resilience, confidence, community and fashion. Through #ASGives, Ashley Stewart engages in programs such as the #AshleyCollegeTour to make long-term investments into the communities that have supported the brand for close to 30 years.
鶹Ƶ 鶹ƵUniversity
鶹ƵUniversity is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic , with a global footprint, and , 鶹ƵUniversity offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of 鶹ƵUniversity is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit .
