This week we are launching Lauren Virginia x ROOLEE - - a gorgeous collection hand-picked and designed with Lauren Virginia! Lauren is a fashion and beauty content creator that women of every size turn to for inspiration and the best styles. We took the chance to talk with her so we could help you get to know Lauren and understand what is most important to her. We can't wait for you to see and love this collection as we do!

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I’m Lauren Richardson from Fort Worth, TX. I’m a mom of 3, a plus-size content creator, and a total dresses lover. I’ve always loved fashion and putting together outfits ever since I was a little girl. I’ve been sharing my fashion journey since 2010 and I’ve loved every second of it! I especially love to share how to style clothing on a plus-size body and how girls that don’t look like the societal body norm can still feel confident in their own skin!

Shop this look: The Nellie Floral Maxi Dress, Mini Nellie Floral Dress

How would you describe your personal style?

My personal style is a mix of boho and closet staple pieces. I usually keep the same staples around and add trending items in my closet every season to spice up my looks! I also LOVE dresses (it’s basically my entire closet!) and will find ways to dress them up or down. I try to keep everything I wear mom-friendly, so everything I wear allows me to chase my cute kids around all day!

Where do you draw inspiration from?

I love to draw inspiration from multiple places. I love to watch the fashion in Europe and how I can incorporate that style into what I currently have in my closet. I also love to draw inspiration from what other plus-size fashion creators are wearing and how they are styling clothing. There are so many creative and fashionable women out there!

Shop this look: Bluebonnet Ruffled Midi Dress | Bless Your Heart Plaid Blazer, Rodeo Queen Tiered Maxi Skirt

What motivates you?

I’m very motivated by the idea that one person can change the world. It sounds cliche, but I really believe that to be true for my life. I feel so blessed that I can use the platform I’ve grown online to raise awareness for the importance of good mental health, and how plus-size people are treated poorly in society. I think that if I keep sharing my experiences with the world, and offering solutions for how things can change, then they actually will start to slowly change. Sometimes people who are different just need someone brave enough to speak up for them - -  and I want to be that person.

Shop this look: Blue Hearts for Kathryn Sweater, Free People Moxie Low Slung Jeans, Lone Star Shacket, Moody Girl Velvet Dress, Deep in the Heart of Texas Blouse, Deep in the Heart of Texas Skirt

What sparked your interest in fashion and beauty?

I have loved fashion ever since I was a little girl. I always used to get so excited for back-to-school shopping and the idea that I could style outfits that I loved every day. As I got older and went to college, I was able to start to share my love for creating outfits on my blog.

Ever since 2010, I have shared how my style has morphed and how I’ve been able to continue to find ways to style my body as I had kids and gained weight through different hard times in my life. I think fashion is a great way to express yourself, and it can be a real confidence boost when you feel good in what you’re wearing. I love to teach others how to find that inner confidence with the fun world of fashion!

Shop this look: The Dallas Shirred Dress | The Nellie Floral Maxi Dress,

Tell us your go-to look!

My go to look is wearing a flowy midi dress, either some cute sandals (I love Teva sandals!) or a pair of Vans, a cute hat, some funky sunglasses and a tinted lip gloss. If I’m not wearing one of my many hats that day, you’ll definitely see me with a huge mom bun on top of my head.

Shop this look: The Dallas Shirred Dress, Virginia May Flutter Sleeve Dress, Bless Your Heart Plaid Blazer, After School Special Cropped Sweater, Magnolia A-line Eyelet Skirt

Give us some of your favorite styling tips + tricks!

1. Ignore the size on the tag. Women’s clothing sizing can be all over the place! Focus on finding the piece of clothing that fits you best and that you feel comfortable in. The number or letter on that tag means nothing.
2. Closet staples are everything! I think every woman should have a good pair of jeans, some black leggings, a couple tee’s they love, and a dress that helps them feel confident. Everything else added on top of that can be trendy and fun!
3. You can never go wrong with a dress and comfy shoes. You look fancy and everyone thinks you look so good and put together. In reality, it’s almost like wearing your comfiest pj’s out in public.
4. If your hair looks crazy that day (mine looks wild 99% of the time)...just throw on a hat. You’ll look put together and no one will ever know what lies underneath!
5. If you don’t love a current trend, it’s ok to skip it! The most important thing you can do for yourself and your body confidence is to dress in what makes YOU feel good. If the trends are crazy that year, just stick to closet basics and you’ll look chic.

Shop this look: Bluebonnet Ruffled Midi Dress | Magnolia Puff Sleeve Eyelet Blouse, Magnolia A-line Eyelet Skirt

If you could give advice to your younger self, and women everywhere, what would you say?

If I could go back to my younger self, I would tell her to not worry about what others think or say about her. Other’s people’s opinions and comments about you have nothing to do with you and everything to do with them. If you ignore those that aren’t in your corner and work on loving yourself through good times and bad, you will find your self-confidence.

To the women everywhere: please love yourselves where you’re at. That’s a big ask, and it’s hard some days. You need to realize that your power comes from your mind and heart and not from your body size or outward appearance.

Shop this look: Virginia May Flutter Sleeve Dress, Bless Your Heart Plaid Blazer | The Dallas Shirred Dress

What are you excited for people to see from your collection?

I’m so excited for people to see my heart poured into these pieces. When picking the designs and fabrics, I kept in mind all body sizes and if they would feel good in this clothing. I really hope that those who wear these pieces feel confident inside and out, and know they are more than their body size.

Shop this look: The Lauren Virginia Dress | Virginia May Flutter Sleeve Dress

What is something you want people to know about why this collection is important to you?

I want people to know 2 specific things about my collection.

The first is that I am so thankful for Roolee for being willing to expand their sizing for my collection up to a 5X. Right now in the fashion industry, it’s so hard for plus size people to find clothing that is cute and fits them. Even at my 3X size, it is difficult…so if you are a 4X or 5X it is even harder. This collection was created for literally every body size, because I think everyone deserves to have clothing that helps them to feel confident in the amazing body that they have.

The second is about a specific piece in my collection; the Blue Hearts for Kathryn sweater. I created this sweater specifically in remembrance of my sister that passed away in 2016 at the age of 9. Her favorite color was blue and while she was fighting for her life, we decorated her hospital room with blue hearts. Now that she’s passed, we use blue hearts to symbolize her spirit in our lives today. The blue heart to me symbolizes love for others and yourself, miracles big and small, and remembering to find joy in your life, even when it feels really hard. While you wear this sweater, I hope everyone will be able to remember those things in their lives as well. 💙

What piece from this collection is your favorite? Share with us in the comments!
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