About

Two of my favorite things to do are designing clothes and writing.  I am an American Independent Plus Size Fashion Designer, owner of Cassaundra’s Clothing Boutique, and a closet writer. I have never been published and I rarely let anyone read what I write.  I started this blog as a way to bring my two favorite things together and share with all of you.

After taking a five year hiatus from my fashion design business, I returned to two years ago. I learned, perhaps the hard way, that absence truly made my heart grow fonder. It wasn’t until I completely got out of the fashion business that realized how much I loved it. Without a doubt, I needed to take a break from the demands of my career but I also learned that my true passion was designing and this time I was going to do it on my terms.

One of my favorite books when I was a child was the German fable Rumpelstiltskin; he turned straw into gold! I feel like that is what I do in my design studio. I see a pile of fabric on my table and I have a vision of what it can become and I get to work cutting and sewing and TaDa it’s a dress (not gold but you get the idea)!

I am interested in fashion beyond my own collection and I have a bit of an interest in fashion psychology (if there is such a thing). I am always curious about why people wear what they wear. We have all witnessed a “What was she thinking” moment; not in a gossipy judgmental way but sincere curiosity. Not that I am some authority on fashion (I am far from it) but I do see fashion as an important form of communication. Wearing what you mean and mean what you wear is essential.

Like it or not, we are judged by our appearance before we are allowed to reveal how absolutely awesome we are on the inside.  I don’t think that we all have to have Tim Gunn dress us every morning but many fashion mistakes are the result of simply forgetting to proof read an outfit before going out in it. I don’t mean spinning in front of a full length mirror to check for lint balls and static cling but really asking yourself what story are you telling about yourself with your outfit. Are you telling the right story at the right time?

As a woman who has been at every point on the size spectrum, my hope for this blog is to share my fashion experience as well as be voyeur (not a creepy one) to other plus size women’s fashion experience. I want to see what other plus size women wear and why. Back when I was at the beginning of my career in fashion there was not much more that Lane Bryant (not that there is anything wrong with that) to shop for clothes but now there seems to be almost endless options for us plus size ladies.

I celebrated my 40th birthday last summer the day after I memorialized the one year anniversary of my father’s death. Two huge things happened a day apart and had a big impact on me and changed my perspective about my life. Dad died from congestive heart failure at the age of 62. The five years I spent away from fashion was spent in the fitness industry and among other things, I was a Certified Personal Trainer for 2.5 of them. I have come to a certain amount of acceptance around my body, I am not defined by the circumference of my waist but health is an issue I take seriously. The primary focus of this blog is the plus size fashion experience but I don’t want to overlook the need to live a healthy lifestyle.

Please feel free to comment on my blog and sign up to receive updates.

-Cassaundra Bourne

Contact email: cbourne@ccbcustomdress.com

Have you ever found the perfect dress and it was not available in your size or you like the dress but wish it was longer? Are you between sizes and have challenges finding the right fit? Cassaundra’s Clothing Boutique www.ccbcustomdress.com is an online boutique that features a customizable dress collection; office to evening, cocktail, and maxi dresses there is a dress for every occasion. Dresses are available in misses sizes 2-14 and plus sizes 16-28 and choose from petite, regular, and tall.

Fashion Designer and entrepreneur Cassaundra Bourne, owner and operator of CCB Custom Dresses had a vision of combining a classic collection of dresses with customizable features allowing customers to participate in the designing process. The dress collection is made up of 2 basic silhouettes and depending on your body type you choose an A-line or Sheath. The Dress Right for Your Body Type guide helps women determine their body type and choose the right silhouette for their shape.

Once the right silhouette is determined based on your body type there are many style options to choose from; neckline shape, sleeve length, and dress length. With 7 colors to choose from there are countless variations that can be combined. Shopping is easy; each dress option has a separate listing and each individual listing has customizable features. Dresses are sorted by silhouette than sleeve length and the dress length and custom sizing can be chosen in each listing. Once all design details are determined free custom sizing is available for women who are between standard sizing.

Your custom dress is made from excellent quality fabric and meticulous workmanship and shipped to you free within 5 business days from order (shipping time may vary for special order fabrics).

Services that take the guess work out of shopping are:

• free personal shopping service
• one free alteration
• free shipping to USA & Canada.

Cassaundra’s Clothing Boutique is on a mission to provide excellent customer service, designer quality garments at budget friendly prices.