We can finally announce that Lee Lee’s Valise is filming our own half hour television show which will air this spring. Here is the official announcement from TLC:

STACY LONDON PRODUCES NEW TLC FASHION SERIES ON ONE-OF-A-KIND BROOKLYN CLOTHING BOUTIQUE

New series follows husband and wife team as they set out to conquer the plus-size fashion world

(NEW YORK, NY) – It’s plus-size fashion without the minuses of mainstream retail traditions in TLC’s newest series. Executive produced by WHAT NOT TO WEAR’s fashion authority, Stacy London, with BBC Worldwide Productions, this eight-part series set to premiere in May 2012 will follow husband and wife business owners Lisa and Jim Dolan, as they revise and revolutionize the norms of plus-size shopping experiences in their clothing store, Lee Lee’s Valise. Each episode will focus on three different customers as their intimate shopping experience at the store, combined with Lisa’s distinctive clothing line, helps transform their lives.
The average size of an American woman is 14, but no average-sized American woman experiences a normal shopping experience at a typical fashion retailer as only 18% of clothes are a size 14 or over.  At Lee Lee’s Valise, women of all shapes and sizes feel confident, fashionable and sexy through Lisa’s custom-made designs, tailored business approach and bold NY personality. Through drama, laughs and a few tears, Lisa and her team will transform their customers’ wardrobe from shab to fab — all through the simple and personalized accommodations to fit and flaunt each unique body type.

Running a successful business with a unique focus may seem like a walk in Central Park, but for this outspoken duo, drama is inevitable. While Lisa and Jim have a strong opinion about each and every item in Lee Lee’s Valise, they always put the customer first. Often times the customer’s feedback and personal shopping experience plays a vital role in how Lisa designs her line and stocks her shop.

The series is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions for TLC. Executive Producers are Scott Shatsky with Stacy London and Julie Merson executive producing for Super Long Play . Elli Hakami and Jane Tranter are executive producers for BBC Worldwide Productions.

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*Please note that we are always open for business. If we are filming you can be sure that we will find a way to accommodate your needs. We might be closed for a day or two for filming but just email us and we will figure something out. Because Lee Lee’s Valise is all about the clothes…and our customers. So don’t hesitate to come on down to shop whenever you get the urge. We will be here.

  Tags: bbc, brooklyn, husband and wife team, Plus Size, stacy london, TLC, tv series News-Events  | Comments

It's a Wonderful Valise Event at Lee Lee's Valise!

Join us for our 1st annual It’s a Wonderful Valise Event!

Thursday, Dec 1st from 6:00pm-9:00pm

As you know, the name Lee Lee’s Valise originated from Lisa’s childhood. As a little girl she would spend her Christmas vacation in Long Island with her family. Before she would go Lisa would always pack her favorite clothes and toys in her grandfather’s battered valise.

Christmas was not Christmas without her valise full of toys!
Help us fill our valise with toys!

Come for champagne, Christmas treats, and be among the first to see our new  Holiday collection!

We will be accepting wrapped toys (marked boy or girl and age) for the less fortunate children of Brooklyn.
What better way to kick off the Holiday Season! See you there!

  Tags: Christmas, Event, holiday, holiday collection, preview, suitcase, toydrive, toys, valise, zuzus petals News-Events  | Comments

Wrap yourself up in Our Italian Wool!

Now is the time to add a new look to your wardrobe with our new Italian wool pieces that you can mix and match to make the perfect new outfit for the holidays.

Start your collection with Our New Annie Sleeveless Swing Sweater in our latest Italian fabric. It features vertical  Zig Zags in Dark Brown and Tan with a line of Gold between. This swing tops swings away right at the tummy line to give a superb and flattering fit that is sure to become a new favorite.You can pair it with our Franny in the same Tan and Gold fabric and add your Paula Pencil skirt as pictured above. Add a belt and a long necklace and you get a great new look.

Or you can just get the skirt and pair it with our Carol Wrap top as pictured in the second look.  These pieces give you options which are always great when you have so many different functions to attend during the busiest time of the year. The Paula Pencil skirt in the new Italian Brown, Tan and Gold Fabric is a rich and oh so comfortable piece that feels so right when you wear it. Perfect on its own or matched with the other two pieces to make a “soft suit” that will be a wonderful look for the Holidays. It has the superb lines of the Paula Pencil skirt with the wonderful “feel” of this rich Italian wool.

Our last photo is a classic look with our Carol Wrap top in black paired with a Paula Pencil skirt in Eggplant. If you only have one piece now is the time to get the other to get a great new look for the holidays.  There is the added benefit that if you pair with a Franny, Pencil skirt or Annie Swing Top in the new Black, Tan and Gold fabric you will have several new looks and plenty of options when picking out something to wear for the holidays. These pieces are all available separately but quantities are limited so make sure you get you building blocks that will give you all the flexibility you would ever want for the Holiday Season.

  Tags: cardigan, carol, designs by lee lee, exclusive, franny, fur bag, italian wool, missoni, Olivia Harper, paula, pencil skirt, ponte, ponti, sweater, tank top, wool, wrap top Trends-Style Last updated December 5th, 2011.  | Comments

Trick or Treat

Does a stay at the Bate’s Motel sound more fun than wearing a plus-size costume?

Does the thought of spending an entire evening in a polyester vinyl disaster giving you more nightmares than Elm Street? A store bought costume in plus-sizes almost never fits. It is hard enough to find plus-size clothing let alone a novelty item that you are only going to wear once. Why spend one to two hundred dollars on a costume when you already have the makings of a great costume in your closet. You can use some of your clothing as the canvas to build a costume with the addition of outrageous accessories and over the top makeup!

Here are some costume Ideas that not only fit your budget but your shape too.

Madmen – This is a great way to break out that cocktail dress you have been dying to wear! By adding accessories like a cigarette holder and going overboard with your updo and makeup you will have a hit!

Maniac – You can be a maniac with and over sized sweatshirt hanging off one shoulder, leg warmers, and a bucket of water!

70’s Funkadelic – You have that maxi dress from the summer! Add some peace jewelry, over-sized hoop earrings, a head band, or a great fro wig….and again…it’s all about the makeup. Paint some flowers on your face! Or just go crazy with the eyeliner!

School Girl – Get out your pleated skirt, attach a fake emblem to your blazer, a striped tie, knee highs, pigtails and carry an old school wooden ruler!

Greek Goddess – You put away your gladiators sandals so take them out again and add a maxi dress from the summer as well……a gold belt or pick up some gold curtain cord (minus the tassel) and save some for your Grecian updo.

20’s Gangster Girl – Pinstripe Pencil Skirt and a white blouse, Spanx fishnets, garter, suspenders, Fedora hat and you can pick up cheap tommy gun for effect. Oh, and the Mary Jane high heels you just bought for this season go perfect with this look.

Jungle Fever – Animal prints have been hot for a while now…you must own some. Add animal ears and tail or tease and mess your hair and go for a jungle princess look!

50’s Fabulous- Break out those Anna Lucias! Pair with a string of pearls and retro style wig for 50’s affect. Whether your June Cleaver or Lucy Ricardo You’ll be a hit!

When you are going to a party you will be with friends, or that cute guy you had your eye on lately. DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT wear any shape that you wouldn’t wear out. It’s all about your shape and showing it! Even though it’s Halloween you still want to flatter your figure.

  Tags: anna lucia, costumes, halloween, ideas for costumes, plus size costumes, trick or treat News-Events  | Comments

“Measuring in at 6’1,” Heather always makes a big entrance when she walks into the room. Her flashy outfits can’t help but get her noticed. A complete style transformation and an appointment with Stacy and Clinton may be just what this top diva needs.”

Watch Heather’s Transformation Tonight, September 13th for an encore presentation on TLC’s What Not to Wear!         8 pm EST ~Then come back and shop all Heather’s favorite looks!

  Tags: Clinton Kelly, plus size clothing, plussize, stacy london, styling, tall, TLC, transformation, What Not To Wear, wntw Trends-Style Last updated September 13th, 2011.  | Comments

Saks Fifth Ave

Did you see the article that >>>>Lucky Magazine wrote about the fact that Saks Fifth Avenue is closing Salon Z the plus size section of their flagship store? Lucky starts its report by saying “It appears Saks Fifth Avenue is trimming the fat from its Manhattan flagship store…and we don’t mean budget-wise.” Now what is that supposed to mean? That they had to get rid of the “fat” people? Why, is there something wrong with “Fat” people? That is really just another slap in the face to all of us from Lucky.

This snide and snarky comment is part and parcel of the way that fashion magazines and the fashion industry treats plus size. They make fun of it and put it down at every opportunity. Even when they are supposedly doing some straight reporting about a financial matter they have to take a shot, a dig…. it just can’t be straight up!

Why didn’t they take to time to investigate if there were other brick and mortar stores still available for the plus size consumer in NYC to go to find fashion forward clothing to try on in a store instead of buying blindly on-line? Why didn’t they ask some questions of plus sized designers who would want to display their wares in a store setting? Why is the closing of one of the few plus sized outlets just a joke to a fashion magazine?

The closing of Salon Z is an important matter for the plus size consumer. You would think that a fashion magazine would react professionally and treat this story with the respect that it deserves. If you have a chance you should make a comment on their website to let them know that we don’t think plus size is a joke. Here is the link to the article>>>Lucky

This feeble excuse for an article mentions that some other stores have “extended sizes” available. Most department stores only provide “extended sizing” which you know generally means ill fitting garments sized up from much smaller patterns. They never invested in true plus size designers who know the plus size customer and their particular needs.  Salon Z served as one of the few brick and mortar outlets where a plus sized woman could actually try on clothes in the store.

Lee Lee’s Valise remains steadfast in our commitment to serve the plus sized community. When we couldn’t find clothing that fit properly we went out and designed our own with our own private label. You can come to our brick and mortar store and actually see what you look like in the shapes and styles we have developed exclusively for the plus size woman. Then if you want to order on-line you at least have a pretty good idea of how that piece is going to look on you. We do things the old school way. Great fabrics, contemporary fashion forward styling and the perfect fit are available for you to try on in the store.

Salon Z has come and soon gone but we will remain to dress you for that special occasion. Or if you just want a new dress for work.  We are not going anywhere and we hope to see you soon.

  Tags: fashion, lucky mag, plussize, saks, salon z, trim the fat News-Events  | Comments