70 replies to this topic

[Lola16]

BIG BROOKLYN STYLE
Premieres Tuesday, May 29 @ 10/9c

Big Brooklyn Style follows Lisa and Jim Dolan as they redefine the norms of plus-size shopping in their Brooklyn clothing store, Lee Lee's Valise.

Each episode focuses on three different customers and how their intimate shopping experience at the store helps transform their lives.

Pretty sure that this is the plus size store that they feature on WNTW. It's executive produced by Stacy London.

The NY Daily News has a photo of Lee Lee:

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/television/tlc-big-brooklyn-style-customers-feel-better-article-1.1084626

I always thought she was an older woman, kinda like the dorm mom on Facts of Life.

[scarlett45]

I liked the second episode more than the first. The solid colored dress from the second episode was cute. However those wrap dresses ALL looked the same. All of them. With the chunky belt just ugh. I did appreciate the smaller long haired curly brunette- I hate my knees too. I admit I don't have that difficult of a time finding clothes, I can do tops, dresses and most skirts in the regular section and head up to plus size in basic pants, but it's nice to know that someone acknowledges plus size women come in different shapes.

[MiniDriver]

Not really impressed. It's one long sales pitch for the boutique. The owner seems a lot more concerned with people liking her stuff than helping people find styles that suit their body type. When I was a plussy, I would have liked her stuff. They seemed ideal for hourglass shapes.

I don't think the clothes would look good on columnar figures or women with broad shoulders and narrow hips.

Edited by MiniDriver, May 29, 2012 @ 10:14 PM.

[Hildegard802]

Won't be tuning into this again. Never have liked this woman's clothing; never will. Macy's plus size department sells waaaay better stuff than this. However she may be in "real life," she's nothing I want to watch on TV. This is just another half-assed reality show.

[Lindenholly]

OK. Saw the collection. Liked many of the clothes... even though the dresses were basically all the same pattern.

Now what?

[Lola16]

It's one long sales pitch for the boutique.

I've only gotten through the first episode so far and it's like an infomercial.

The sizes they carry are 10 and up. Crap. 10 is now plus sized? I remember years ago, my cousin and I went into a plus size shop to get something for her dad's girlfriend who was large. The saleswomen were all large and glared at us. I could not get out of there soon enough. I don't think if I was 1x or larger that I'd appreciate cousin Kate who claims to be a size 0 picking out clothes. I definitely think I'd be tempted to deck her if she said she was "6 meatballs away" from being plus sized.

Kate is Lisa's 24-year-old cousin. She's been working at Lee Lee's Valise since the day the store opened -- she stopped by for a visit and never left! Born and raised in Queens, Kate is a size 0, but she feels she fits right in at Lee Lee's. Kate is convinced she has the family curse: tiny until 27 and then plus size. Kate figures she's about six meatballs away from realizing the curse.

I have yet to hear Lisa give anyone advice on how to dress their exact shape. Only thing so far is the Fran drizzle open cardigan thing that wasn't specific to any one woman.

What was confusing to me was during the beginning of the second episode, Lisa says to her husband, this was the worst winter, spring has to be better. I'm thinking, we had such a mild winter in NY, what is she talking about? Then is dawns on me, sales. Sales are down at Lee Lee's so now they have a 12 episode series that showcase their clothes. Surprised there isn't a web address ever present at the bottom of the screen.

[Maddingcrowd]

I appreciate the fact that she is designing for plus size, however I really hate the loud prints. I don't find anything attractive about ugly, jarring prints especially for plus size clothes (I'm plus sized myself). The new college grad going for interviews would have looked better in solid color pieces. These loud, microfiber dresses seem to match up to what Stacy and Clinton always put larger women in and I think they are ugly.

[Lola16]

And the bride to be's name is PRESHUS? Not Precious but PRESHUS. Oh man.

These loud, microfiber dresses seem to match up to what Stacy and Clinton always put larger women

This store is where S&C send the plus sizes to go shop.

[vintageguitar]

I really wanted to like this show. Why do people think that all plus size women need to wear clothing in that slinky/stretchy knit jersey fabric? Don't get me wrong, I have some knit jersey pieces in my wardrobe, but I also wear woven cotton, tweed, denim and silk. I like pieces that have shape and structure.

All of her dresses seem like they are cut from the same pattern and she just uses different prints. Does she sell slacks/pants in her store? Please tell me they aren't made from the same stretchy fabric as the dresses. And since when does a black and white pattern say "spring"? All of the clothing was so dark. Does she have items that are more colorful?

[dirtybubble]

Zzzzzzz.....

I don't know if its because this show came on so late or what but I had trouble staying awake through it. I didn't even realize there was a second episode to watch.

I was hoping this was more of a makeover show, similar to WNTW, but it focused on plus size women. I agree with previous posters that it just seemed to be an infomercial about this woman's shop. I liked the wrap dresses but yeah they all seemed to be the same design but in different colors and with different accessories.

I don't think if I was 1x or larger that I'd appreciate cousin Kate who claims to be a size 0 picking out clothes

Girlfriend is NOT a size 0. I'd put her as a size 4 or 6 but no honey you aint no 0.

I definitely think I'd be tempted to deck her if she said she was "6 meatballs away" from being plus sized.

LoL!

[phynesse72]

It's a cute show but I find Lisa's schtick grating after 10 minutes--I had to hit the mute button a few times. Her assistant Kate acts like she is constantly auditioning for her next tv job and that gets tiresome too. Otherwise what I do like about the show is that it showcases different size, colors and shapes of women we do not usually see on the tube. I did get a few ideas for the show--I loved the belted cardigan leggings outfit she found for the picky (can't show my knees) client. If her assistant can dial it down a bit I would probably watch again.

[Lola16]

All of her dresses seem like they are cut from the same pattern and she just uses different prints. Does she sell slacks/pants in her store? Please tell me they aren't made from the same stretchy fabric as the dresses. And since when does a black and white pattern say "spring"? All of the clothing was so dark. Does she have items that are more colorful?

It seems like she had 3 patterns with lots of prints prior to Spring 2012. Now she has 8 patterns with prints & solids. There's ton of color that we saw, just dark colors, nothing light & bright.

They made a huge deal of taking photos for the website and then we see Lisa taking the photos herself. I thought maybe that was just for filming and they actually used a professional. Nope. Check out the amateurish website. The photos are badly cropped and you can't even really shop online. What's the point of the show then? Having plus sizes fly to Brooklyn to shop? (shakes head)

[yslchyc]

What a terrible show and what hideous clothes. They all seemed to be variants of the Diane Von Furstenburg wrap dress and while that style might be flattering to some plus size women, it definitely doesn't flatter those who aren't built like her with a lot of bulk on top and thin (or relatively so) calves.

All of those prints shrieked fat lady - at least to me.

Those are the best she can come up with. Both Bloomies and Saks have good plus size departments (relatively so) especially in New York City and have a much wider range of styles. Hell there is a tiny shop in Los Angeles that has a better range of styles.

[Lola16]

All of those prints shrieked fat lady - at least to me.

I didn't like the solid color blue dress with the poofy sleeves. I did like the maxi dress with orange/brown print the one woman bought for a cruise.

[camom]

Check out the amateurish website. The photos are badly cropped and you can't even really shop online.

And yet at some point they said that most of their business was online. Maybe the crappy website is why they had a bad winter.

As a plus size myself, I was interested in this, but I doubt I'll watch again. I just can't imagine what else there is to see. I was also hoping for a WNTW-type makeover show.

[aliyameadow]

I wanted to like this show (wasn't really sure what it was going to be, but anything plus sized will get at least one look from me), but the people were so LOUD. I couldn't take it. And as others have mentioned, the dresses all looked the same, only different prints. Not everyone needs a big belt under their boobs, either. I realize it's a TV show, but do people normally go into a store and pour out their lives to the sales clerks? That was a little strange.

Also, I couldn't figure out what the deal was with the store - did she design all the goods? Did she design dresses and have other brands for other stuff?

I didn't realize there were updates at the end until too late. What happened to the woman who was going to interview for a job - did she get it?

[Auruor]

Not really impressed. It's one long sales pitch for the boutique.

Word. One long infomercial for the store. And all the dresses seemed so similar... does she sell pants? Tell me she sells pants.

[designing1]

I didn't realize there were updates at the end until too late. What happened to the woman who was going to interview for a job - did she get it?

I can't quote verbatim, but they said something like she'd been on a number of interviews and received several offers.

And yeah, that was one dress (and one black tank underneath to make it more modest) in many unattractive prints. I'm not sure there'll be anything else to see in future episodes; this seems to be geared to viewers who buy into shows based on the personalities of the participants, rather than the actual content.

Edited by designing1, May 30, 2012 @ 2:26 PM.

[Jodster]

Awww, I must be alone in loving this show. Maybe I was just extremely happy to see someone designing plus-sized clothing with sleeves that go to the elbow. I have literally been all over my huge (but sparsely populated) state, and every damn plus-sized top either has no sleeves, cap sleeves, or ridiculously short sleeves. We have one Macy's in the state and it does NOT have a good selection of plus-sized clothing. I would kill to have access to clothes like those shown on this show. I'll have to check out her website.

I thought the show was kind of joyful and gave me a little boost to start my day (watched it on DVR).

Edited by Jodster, May 30, 2012 @ 2:40 PM.

[PRgal]

The sizes they carry are 10 and up. Crap. 10 is now plus sized? I remember years ago, my cousin and I went into a plus size shop to get something for her dad's girlfriend who was large. The saleswomen were all large and glared at us. I could not get out of there soon enough. I don't think if I was 1x or larger that I'd appreciate cousin Kate who claims to be a size 0 picking out clothes. I definitely think I'd be tempted to deck her if she said she was "6 meatballs away" from being plus sized.

A very vanity sized size 10? Maybe size 10 cut for women who are curvier than a "standard" 10? Anyway, if you think about it, someone who is under 5' tall and a 12 or even 10 is generally more "plus" proportionately speaking than a 6' tall, size 14 woman. And if you look at what's considered plus by the fashion/modelling world (i.e. over size 4), then the majority of Hollywood actresses are plus, despite being 0s and 2s. It's proportion!

[Lola16]

And yet at some point they said that most of their business was online. Maybe the crappy website is why they had a bad winter.

Really? Oh man. Lisa's husband used to post on here (WNTW board) a lot. Jim, if you're still reading, hit me up and I'll hook you up with some gratis website help. For reals.

I was also hoping for a WNTW-type makeover show

I think they should do 1 shopper per 30 minute episode. Focus a little more on that person's body type and explain which styles work & why. Then get into the prints, solids, design aspect and accessorize. I was hopeful with the bride-to-be and the older woman going on a cruise. Plenty of opportunity to show multiple outfits and accessorizing.

[dirtybubble]

I think they should do 1 shopper per 30 minute episode. Focus a little more on that person's body type and explain which styles work & why. Then get into the prints, solids, design aspect and accessorize. I was hopeful with the bride-to-be and the older woman going on a cruise. Plenty of opportunity to show multiple outfits and accessorizing

I love this idea! The commercials made it seem like this was gonna be a one woman makeover show, to me anyway, so I guess I was just bummed to get the candid type reality show of this woman and her shop.

[camom]

Unfortunately, there probably isn't enough variety of clothing in the store to do a makeover of a single woman. Apparently there are only dresses (which, frankly, look very similar) and some tops. Some of us do like to wear pants!

[Lola16]

Some of us do like to wear pants!

In the second episode, they featured leggings and a pencil skirt. Not sure if they carry regular pants. But definitely, you could put together outfits like 2 day-to-evening dresses, 1 fancy dress, 1 skirt, 1 legging, a few tops, sweaters and accessories.

[designing1]

Check out the amateurish website. The photos are badly cropped and you can't even really shop online.

The website is amateurish to be sure, but you do appear to be able to shop online. If you click "Spring Has Sprung" on the home page a menu of items appears on the left (clicking directly on the "Online Boutique" menu isn't working.) You can choose items and place them in your cart; whether checkout is working is something else again. Based on the menu, they appear to carry a full range of items.

Edited by designing1, May 30, 2012 @ 9:29 PM.

[shopper gal]

Really? Oh man. Lisa's husband used to post on here (WNTW board) a lot. Jim, if you're still reading, hit me up and I'll hook you up with some gratis website help. For reals.

I wondered if that was her hubby. I think we'd all like some inside dish if you are still out there!

As a plussy - I was thrilled to see this show...but the execution, hmmm. It does seem to pimp the store, but I want to see more variety in the clothes. They have to sell more then the wife's designs. And ditto on the pants comment. A lot of us wear pants, and by pants I mean dress pants or denim...NOT leggings.

I also agree that all the dresses featured work for one specific body type - tomato on stilts as I like to call it - gals who carry their weight around the mid section with decent legs. And I still don't understand the idea of throwing a belt around the big ole gut and draping yourself in drizzle. I dunno, what about women with broader shoulders, or women who *gasp* carry their weight in their legs. The models didn't look particularly tall, yet all the dresses fell above or at the knee. So I shudder to think what my 6 foot frame would look like. What about the cute maxi styles that are out these days?

And finally - poor Preshus. I'm actually kinda glad it's spelled that way, but you know she's heard many a Precious reference. She was like Precious, light.

[Lola16]

If you click "Spring Has Sprung" on the home page a menu of items appears on the left (clicking directly on the "Online Boutique" menu isn't working.)

Wow, way to hide the merchandise. I clicked shop the boutique and just got treated to the same top in many different prints. This really needs an overhaul especially since they have a tv show.

A very vanity sized size 10? Maybe size 10 cut for women who are curvier than a "standard" 10? Anyway, if you think about it, someone who is under 5' tall and a 12 or even 10 is generally more "plus" proportionately speaking than a 6' tall, size 14 woman

The women appeared to be average to tall but hard to say without a frame of reference. I have to go to Brooklyn next week. I'll have to see how far away this is in comparison and report back!

Maybe I was just extremely happy to see someone designing plus-sized clothing with sleeves that go to the elbow.

A good portion of the dresses were sleeveless or cap sleeves and paired with a cardigan that drizzled.

I didn't realize there were updates at the end until too late

My DVR cut it off but because the shows were back to back, a couple updates from the first show were shown before the second episode aired.

And finally - poor Preshus. I'm actually kinda glad it's spelled that way

She was lovely and seemed sweet. Can't get on board with the spelling of the name, never been into phonetic spellings or backward spelling of names. Sorry Preshus!

[Paula in Playa]

Hell there is a tiny shop in Los Angeles that has a better range of styles.

Where???

[Hildegard802]

The Macys store in my state has a horrible plus size section. Order online. Free shipping for certain $$ amount and free in-store returns.

Waaay larger selection. I've checked out LLV's site and would go naked before I'd wear that stuff. And I'm 57 yoa.

[GamecockGirl]

I was super excited to see the show after visiting LLV (more below) and loving WNTW, but I ended up so disappointed with the show that I didn't make it through the second episode. I didn't like the multiple crying testimonials and the "Lee Lee changed my whole life!" message repetition, as it was way too heavy handed. Let the viewers arrive at the conclusion that she rocks; don't tell us that over and over and in a variety of ways. Yes, she's great at what she does and took a risk to open the place, but every big girl who enters is not an emotional project in need of rescue by LL. It feels very patronizing to me, in spite of the "yay, big is beautiful" message. I agree with other posters who felt the show was one big advertorial, with a lack of enticing plot lines. For example, the "will you be my model?" flattery was quickly diminished when we saw it was merely a casual photo shoot with amateurish results.

I have actually been to the store, so I can chime in with some insider info. (To help you assess, I'm a size 14/16 and about 5-8", so I'm on the smaller end of the plus size world and occasionally find that "regular" store clothes are a little too small -- especially in the bust area.)

When I was there, about two years ago, Jim did all the consulting with me, as LL was out. I actually thought he was much more knowledgeable than portrayed in the show. He immediately pulled several outfits for me that I tried on. The store, at least at that time, was a mix of LLV's designs (which is the bulk of what we saw last night) and some high-end name brands that one would see in Nordstrom Salon Z. The prices for everything are also Salon Z-ish, with a LLV wrap shirt running around $150. Jim brought me lots of designer jeans to try on, but none of them fit me well (my hips/rear were a little too small for them). I bought one of the infamous wrap dresses at $175-ish, a gorgeous cocktail dress (around $300), and one of the wrap shirts (which is actually made in silk or a silk blend). The wrap shirt is fantastic and is really a special item, well worth traveling to Brooklyn for (and paying that amount of $ for).

I really enjoyed the experience, as Jim was wonderful, patient, etc. and picked out a range of things for me to try on (including a maxi-dress, which I didn't like -- way too Mrs. Roper for me). It was hard to part with the $ I spent there, as I'm usually one to stalk TJ Maxx for my wardrobe at a much lower cost, but Jim gave me such a customized and personal experience that it made me feel happy to support a small boutique store like that while I was in the NYC area.

All that said, I didn't feel like my experience meshed with what I saw on TV. While I would say it was fun for me to be in a place with so many options for someone my size, I wouldn't say it was something that I would describe as "life changing." It was a good time, I dropped a few hundred that I really shouldn't have, and I still love my purchases. Although that wouldn't have made for crazy good TV, I don't think what we saw last night was good TV, either. I think they're going to have to rethink how they shoot the show and develop some great plot lines, or this show may not last long. (Even the Kardashians could only shoot so much footage in DASH before they branched out to other topics/venues!)