Special Feature: Nicole Nolan - Elocin Boutique

The first time I met Nicole Nolan was when I walked in to her boutique.  I can honestly say she is an amazing person.  She has encouraged me and promoted me from day one.  This curvy diva has style, grace, passion and drive.  I am excited to share this interview with y'all. I hope you see the fascinating and foxy person that is Nicole Nolan.

Hi I am Nicole K. Nolan CEO/Founder of Elocin Fashions LLC. Head Designer and Personal Stylist to the Curvy Community. 

Smart Curves: What does fashion mean to you? 

Nicole: Fashion means freedom. Freedom to express my innermost self and the energy that encompasses my character or sometimes my disposition for that moment. It is an extension of the essence of my creative being, my canvass, my Mona Lisa. 

Smart Curves: How did you become interested in Plus Size Fashion? Where did you get your start?

Nicole: I use to be a smoker. I'd smoke about a half a pack of cigarettes a day. And I have sons that were growing up. And i didn't want them to "Do as i do" so I quit. After I quit, I gained nearly 80lbs. I had nothing to wear that expressed who i was as an individual. At the time all i could purchase was clothes intended for my mother and my grandmother. So in 2002, I sat down did the research on the outsize market and created a business plan and named it "It's Just Me!" Well it's just me didn't began until 2008 after finding myself unemployed and my previous business venture, out of business. That's when I created ELOCIN -(NICOLE)  Plus Size Fashions LLC.

Smart Curves: How would you define your style?

Nicole: When people ask me to define my style this song plays in my head " I'm a little bit country, And I'm a little bit rock 'n roll, I'm a little bit of Memphis and Nashville,With a little bit of Motown in my soul"... That's my style- adventurous, sassy, silly, edgy, fun, sophisticated, youthful, with a lot of love. A melting pot. An expression of me with the client in mind.

Smart Curves: Where do you get your design inspiration?

Nicole: And that inspiration comes from the GOD within. GOD is my inspiration. HE named me victorious.

Smart Curves: Describe your collection that you showed at the Curvy Closets Plus Size Showcase. 

Nicole: First I have to send accolades to the lovely Colleen Stovall and Domonique Revere- Lincoln for putting together an amazing event. The Collection displayed at Curvy Closets Fashion Plus Size Showcase was called "Frazzled". I was overwhelmed with the new store opening, son's off to college, new atmosphere, different dressmakers, illness, and so finding myself in an unfamiliar territory., "Frazzled!". Too much on my plate was blocking my vision from the true source of my inspiration. But ELOCIN did not give up and we came threw with some nice pieces.

Model: Vanessa Hinds

Model: Colleen Stoval

Smart Curves: How do you prepare for a fashion shoot or show?

Nicole: Danielle, I'm going to tell you like I tell everyone  I don’t prepare. The only preparation I do is show up! I just prepare the garments and the professionals, the photographer, makeup people, etc, work their talents and I am extremely humbled and grateful for their gifts

Smart Curves: What one piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to start a career in fashion? 

Nicole: Anyone who wants to start a career in fashion make sure you was born to do it. Don't start because you are infatuated and because you think its glamorous because behind the scenes, its not. This is a very intense field and it requires a immeasurable amount of  creativity and confidence in one's self. But make sure that if you do decide to travel the  fashion road, you eat, breathe,learn, live, love it. 

Smart Curves: What trends do I see being big for 2013?

Nicole: ELOCIN ;-)

You can meet this dazzling woman for yourself at Elocin Boutique - 230 East State Street Trenton New Jersey.  This week she is having a pre-opening sale at the new location on all previous season merchandise. You can also check her out at www.elocinfashions.com and on Facebook at Elocin Plus Size.Don't forget to tell her Smart Curves sent ya!! ;)  

All pictures were provided by Nicole Nolan