Each week at The Curvy Fashionista, we shine a lightweight on plus measurement professionals redefining what management appears to be like like and seems like. This collection isn’t concerning the plus measurement influencers or indie plus measurement designers (although we love them too). It’s concerning the daring professionals, powerhouses, and change-makers constructing their careers behind the scenes, breaking boundaries, and doing it with model, like Grace Varney. Since you can’t be what you can not see.
Final time, we featured the colourful Tiffany Heard of Hues of Africa, a journey curator and creator championing Black tradition and exploration across the globe. This week, we meet a powerhouse on this planet of insurance coverage tech and private model, somebody who’s unapologetically herself in each room she enters: Grace Varney.
Grace Varney: Constructing Programs by Day, Styling Confidence by Night time
Grace Varney didn’t chart a straight path to success and he or she’s the primary to say it. “My skilled journey has been surprising,” she tells us. After graduating with an English diploma in 2007 (in the midst of a recession), she discovered herself adjudicating unemployment claims earlier than pivoting into the insurance coverage tech world. 13 years later, she’s managing a crew at Optavise and making company techniques run smoother for the individuals who depend on them most.
However that’s simply a part of Grace’s story.
On the facet? She’s a daring and good plus measurement private stylist who not too long ago accomplished Legislation Roach’s Picture Structure course, styled NYFW attendees, and now serves as Volunteer Coordinator for Magic Metropolis Style Week. “I focus on serving to plus measurement ladies discover their model and confidence,” she says. “That has introduced me extra pleasure than I assumed doable.”
How Grace Exhibits Up in Two Worlds
As a company chief working remotely, Grace nonetheless makes it a degree to indicate up as her full self. “I convey pleasure, compassion, and assist to my crew,” she says. “My job is to battle their battles with them, pay attention, and strategize. With out them, my work has no that means.”
In her styling work, she shifts the highlight. “My private model is loud,” she admits with a smile. “However once I’m with purchasers, I tone it down so they can take up all of the house. I develop into their cheerleader, sounding board, and information.”
Confidence in Tech and Textiles
Being a fats, queer girl in a male-dominated tech house hasn’t been straightforward. Grace has confronted misogyny, fatphobia, and harassment, even leaving her job briefly earlier than returning stronger than ever. “Transferring from Alabama to New York gave me the permission to exist in my pores and skin,” she shares. “Now I convey that vitality again to the South and attempt to give that very same permission to others.”
Confidence, for her, is that this: “Saying what you imply, current in your physique with out caveats, and doing what you need, with out apologies.”
How does she construct it? “Limiting social media, shutting down unsolicited opinions, surrounding myself with loving folks, and uplifting others. A smile and a praise price nothing.”
Plus Dimension Fashion Knowledge from Grace Varney
Grace’s high styling tip? Decorate and tailor like a professional.
“We don’t have as many choices, so equipment develop into your superpower,” she says. “And don’t wait to drop pounds to search out your model. Begin now. Put on what feels good.”
She additionally advises stepping exterior your consolation zone one occasion at a time. “If one thing makes you nervous, put on it simply as soon as. Let somebody see you. That’s how confidence grows.”
Her last gem? “Get a tailor. It’s not as costly as you assume, and it’ll take your look from okay to polished {and professional}.”
What’s Subsequent for Grace Varney
Grace is obvious about what comes subsequent. “I’m staying in my company position, however all of my exterior vitality is concentrated on my styling enterprise.”
She’s studying to stitch, aiming to increase her expertise to tailoring, upcycling, and garment development. She’s engaged on her web site, growing a presentation for native organizations, and focusing on her spot on the subsequent Eloquii NYFW runway. And? She desires so as to add 15 new purchasers within the subsequent 12 months.
Sure, she’s doing all this whereas managing a full-time crew. Grace is the definition of a Curvy Boss.
Celebration Seems to be Like…
Dinner and drinks with mates. Coming residence to her canine and three cats. A giant mattress and a superb e-book. Grace doesn’t simply work onerous, she celebrates absolutely, too.
And if she may share that dinner desk with anybody?
- Legislation Roach
- Woman Gaga
- Beth Ditto
We’d like to be a fly on the wall.
Know a Curvy Boss Like Grace Varney?
We function plus measurement professionals identical to Grace each week proper right here at The Curvy Fashionista. If you recognize somebody creating change and main with model, we wish to know them!
As a result of daring, fats, proficient professionals deserve the highlight. And Grace Varney is only one instance of what brilliance appears to be like like once we take up house!
