15 Years in Plus Size Fashion: My Journey to Launching Nohah Studio
For those of you who’ve been here over the past 15 years, you’ll already know that my commitment to plus size fashion has never wavered. I started this blog with one clear purpose: to make women like us feel seen, represented, and completely valid.
When I hit publish on that very first post, my mission was simple but powerful; to create a space where women who looked like me could finally feel included in a world that had excluded them for far too long.
The Evolution of Plus Size Fashion
Growing up, I rarely saw bodies like mine reflected in the media. Aside from icons like Dawn French and Victoria Wood, representation in plus size fashion and beyond was almost non-existent. And when it came to clothing? The options were even more limited.
At 16, I was a size 16. With each passing year, my size increased, and by my mid-twenties I was a size 32. Finding clothes that fit was difficult enough. Finding anything stylish felt impossible. Back then, it was Evans or nothing.
By my early 30s, things had started to shift. I was a size 22, and the plus size fashion landscape was finally beginning to evolve. Brands like Simply Be were becoming established, and the rise of online shopping opened up a whole new world of style possibilities.
At the same time, blogging was in its infancy and it changed everything.
The Rise of Plus Size Fashion Bloggers
A new generation of voices emerged, and plus size bloggers played a huge role in reshaping plus size fashion. While brands were still behind when it came to representation, bloggers stepped in to fill that gap.
We showed what clothes actually looked like on real bodies. Not just on a size 14 model labelled as “plus size” by the industry. We created visibility, sparked conversations, and built a community.
For nearly a decade, we were everywhere. Modelling, collaborating, designing collections, fronting campaigns, and even appearing on TV. It was an exciting, transformative time for plus size fashion.
A Dream That Never Left Me
Although I never landed that dream design collaboration, it never meant the dream disappeared. I always knew that one day I wanted to create something of my own within the plus size fashion space.
I had sketchbooks filled with ideas and business plans ready to go. But life had other plans. As a single mum, finances were tight, and building a fashion brand felt completely out of reach.
A Life-Changing Opportunity
Everything changed in 2019 when a friend recommended me for a freelance role managing social media for a new plus size fashion brand. After a video call with the owner, based in Morocco, I found myself boarding a plane to Marrakech just two weeks later.
Suddenly, I was immersed in a world of creativity. Modelling, planning, and helping shape a growing brand in the heart of an inspiring new environment.
By 2020, the business had expanded rapidly. We relocated operations to Lincolnshire, opened a warehouse, and I took on running the full UK side of the brand with my partner, Scott.
From photoshoots in Morocco to fabric sourcing trips in Amsterdam, it was an experience that taught me everything about building a business within plus size fashion.
When the brand eventually came to an end, I realised something important: this was my moment.
Introducing Nohah Studio
With the knowledge, experience, and stability I’d gained, I finally took the leap. And Nohah Studio was born.
After two and a half years of designing, developing, and sourcing, the brand is now ready. Production is nearly complete, the website is live for pre-orders, and I can honestly say it’s been the most challenging, and most rewarding journey of my life.
This is more than just a brand. It’s a continuation of everything I’ve worked towards in plus size fashion, creating clothing that truly reflects and celebrates us.
I’ll be sharing more about the journey soon, but for now, I’d love for you to explore Nohah Studio, share your thoughts, and join me in celebrating a new era of plus size fashion.