[Valery] Tell us about the Dulce Traveling Boutique.

[Jessica] The Dulce Traveling Boutique provides access to the signature styles of today’s hottest plus-size designers in a very intimate setting. The idea was conceived with my good friend and business associate, Michelle Martinez. We provide attendees with a personalized, appointment-only shopping experience with wardrobe tips, designer fashion advice, and this season’s most sought-after styles and accessories. We feature an informal fashion show, designer interview opportunities and a chance to mingle with plus-size consumers for real, off-the-street dialogue on the challenges of shopping for a curvy figure. The traveling boutiques have been held in New York and LA, and we have plans for more in the near future.

[Valery] We all have bumps along the road – what has been your greatest challenge? Your greatest triumph?

[Jessica] My greatest challenge and triumph are actually one in the same: Proving myself in this industry and creating fashionable alternatives for women of varying sizes. Thin has always been regarded as the American standard of beauty, but I think the overall consensus is beginning to change. Plus-size fashion designers are beginning to get the recognition that they deserve and plus-size women are realizing that they can dress in the same trendy, stylish clothing as their smaller peers.

[Valery] We always love a great story – do you have one to share about yourself, the industry, yourself in the industry, etc.

[Jessica] Everyone always wants to know how I got into the fashion industry, which was by fluke, really. My sister – who looks a lot like me (we’re both size 16 and about 6 ft tall) – and I were shopping in Chicago, which has so many phenomenal boutiques. We were walking the Ave and going in store after store; we had money to spend and were ready to have a shopping spree. Well, you know what? No one – not a single store – carried sizes that would fit us. It was really frustrating, both because we couldn’t find fun clothing and because it’s a blow to your self esteem. No woman wants to have money to spend and no selection of clothes … it was what we call our “Pretty Woman” moment. That moment changed my life. I decided to do something about it; I decided to create a high-end, fashionable line of plus- size clothing so that I, my sister and other women like us would have fun, flirty options. Getting into the fashion industry has been challenging; so has getting the fashion industry to accept premium plus-size clothing. But we’re making huge strides forward and when I hear from a happy customer who loves herself in her new jeans, I know it was worth it!

[Valery] What can we look forward to in the near future with Svoboda?

[Jessica] Ultimately, I want women everywhere to know that curves are sexy, fun and feminine. I want the size 16 woman to be able to shop for the same fashionable items as her size 10 girlfriends. When you have clothes that fit and flatter your body type, you’re more confident, and if I can do that for even a few women, I’ll be happy! I want the women who don’t have access to plus-size clothing in their home town to log onto my website and be able to purchase fashionable clothing. I would also like to expand the website to include celebrity testimonials and other features, such as a full list of boutiques that sell my designs and a calendar of events for fashion shows and traveling boutique stops. Additionally, you will be able to find SVOBODA denim very shortly in Torrid stores across the country under our new white label, J. Svoboda. We also have plans to launch a new plus-size lingerie line later this year, so keep your eyes open for that as well!