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    How I got my job as… the founder of this plus-size label

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    This week, we speak to Hannah Thompson, Founder of RUNE, a mid to plus size clothing label prioritizing quality and comfort over fashion trends.
    Welcome to the Emirates Woman weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths that led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they’d give to those starting out; and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome.

    As someone who’s always had a challenge finding the right clothing for her curvy body type, Hannah started RUNE as a form of self expression, determined to bring a change in the industry.
    To delve, into her journey further, Emirates Woman sat down with to see how her journey began.
    What was your favourite subject at school?
    English and art, I was really creative and that carried me through school. I really didn’t enjoy maths and weirdly I feel like it’s the thing I probably use the most these days!
    What was your first job?
    I worked at the local newsagent as a newspaper delivery girl. It meant early mornings and a lot of walking, but I was so focused on earning money that I stuck with it. It taught me that not everything you do has to be enjoyable…but if it gets you closer to something you want, it’s worth it…
    What brought you to Dubai?
    I have visited Dubai a number of times in the past, mostly for work, and feel like the buzz around the business side of the place is unmatched. There feels like there’s real potential from a business perspective and really that is why we are looking to branch into the Middle East.
    What inspired you to enter the fashion space and launch Rune?
    I’ve lived in a bigger body my whole life and have always felt let down by the fashion industry when it comes to sizing for plus-size and midsize people. For 20 years, I wished I could buy high-quality, well-designed clothes on the high street or in designer stores… but they just didn’t exist. I used to spend a fortune having clothes made, so I decided to create a brand that offers exactly that: thoughtful design and high-quality pieces for bodies like mine.
    Talk us through the concept?
    RUNE is a mid/plus size-only brand, built and designed by someone who has always lived in a curvy, midsize body. We sample all of our garments on a size 16, which means that when we scale up to a size 28, the pieces still fit properly. Unlike much of the fashion industry – which often just adds extra centimetres everywhere – our approach ensures that the fit remains intentional and flattering at every size.
    What are the key elements of your role?
    Where to start! I tend to wear a number of hats within the business but generally I am the person that works closely with design and production, working with our designers on creating the best style of clothes for our audience.
    Talk us through your daily routine.
    Right now, as a founder in the early stages of growing a brand, most of my day is spent at my laptop, there’s a lot to do and not many of us doing it. I’m usually up around 6am and try to get through as much as I can while the inbox is still quiet. I do make sure to carve out time each day for a walk, just to get outside, clear my head, and reset. It’s become a really important part of protecting my mental health and staying focused.
    What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow the same footsteps?
    Prepare to fail — especially if you’re entering an industry where you don’t have a wealth of experience. And when I say “fail,” I mean the small things that feel huge when you’re building a new business. I’ve found that those small failures here and there are part of the process.
    Tell us more about Rune and its pieces?
    RUNE began with a resort wear line, inspired by my own wish to find high-quality linen and summer pieces that actually fit. We focused on creating timeless summer staples in neutral tones, with a strong emphasis on fit. From there, we developed pieces from our existing collection in different colourways and styles as they were very popular with our customer.
    What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
    Speak to your customer and trust them. They are your best place to get feedback and it’s FREE. Use it.
    And what is the worst?
    Hmm, I have taken some risky advice in the past when it has come to cash flow and I wish I had considered it a little more and explored bringing on the right strategic partner earlier on. Having support, financial or otherwise, can be game-changing, and it’s something I’d encourage other founders to consider sooner rather than later.
    What’s the biggest challenge you have had to overcome?
    Honestly, the biggest challenge has been cash flow and financing. Running a fashion business is hard, and footing the bill for future productions and almost taking a risk and assuming what people will want in the next season is like playing a dangerous game. Rune is totally financed by myself personally, so it’s tricky but we have been very lucky in how things have run so far, but it feels like the biggest challenge currently.
    What’s the future of the brand?
    International offering. At the moment, we are London based and ship to the EU and only occasionally work internationally. My dream is for RUNE to be worn by people all over the world as I feel there is such a market for high quality, plus size clothes that look great.
    For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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      I Tried Over 20 Pairs of Plus-Size Leggings—These 4 Made the Cut

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      Finding plus-size activewear is tough, to say the least. Everything is either too tight or too camel-toe-y or too loose or too ugly (sorry, not sorry). And honestly, having good workout clothes makes working out actually bearable for me. One of the most important parts of a good workout to me is having a good pair of leggings that don’t slip or slide and actually make me feel confident, but finding a good pair of plus-size leggings is equivalent to finding a needle in a very large haystack.
      While it’s not a one-and-done motivator, I’ve been on the hunt for activewear that makes waking up at 6am to do squats just a liiiiiittle more bearable. I’ve tried on dozens of pairs, but these are the ones that actually made the cut. TBH, some of these even make me want to book that yoga class I’ve been talking about for months. Flattering, comfortable, and cute? What more could a girl ask for.
      For reference, I usually wear a size XXL.

      Our Social Editor Keely wore these on a casual day in the office once, and I went to Nordstrom the next day to try them on. On her, they looked like the perfect black leggings: cute with an oversized sweatshirt, but also durable enough to actually work out in.
      These didn’t disappoint. Nike leggings are a little weird size-wise, so I had no idea what size to try on. I took both a 1X and 2X in the fitting room, and the 1X ended up being the perfect fit. I think these would be great for a yoga class (especially hot yoga) because the material is definitely sweat-wicking without being too compressive. I also would totally wear these on a normal day, so these work double-duty. On me, I didn’t feel like they were worth the price after I’d found leggings that did the same thing at a lower price point, but if these are in your price range, I would definitely go for them.

      For the price, these are incredible. I have another pair from this brand from a few years ago, and they have lasted so long without any pilling. I basically survived with these exclusively as my go-to workout pants for months, and they’ve still managed to keep their shape and style.
      So, I had to try another pair. I tried on an XXL in these leggings (because that’s all I found in store), and they were great. I wouldn’t call them my favorite leggings of all time, but if you’re working on a budget, these are a great option. I did a few squats in the dressing room to test, and they stayed in place well without having to hold them up or move around, and had a good amount of compression.
      I would wear these for all kinds of workouts without worrying about them not holding up. (The online sizing is definitely limited on these, however, as they only go up to an XXL).

      We’re huge fans of Girlfriend Collective here—their ethics and commitment to both diversity and sustainability makes supporting them feel good, and that’s without even going into how good their products are.
      I ordered these thinking I’d return them after I tried the magic that are the next leggings, but these are a VERY close second and will certainly not be leaving my closet anytime soon. I actually immediately went to work out once I put them on because I was excited to show them off. These are extra sweat-wicking, which makes working out in them extremely comfortable. It’s honestly kind of cooling on the skin (is that even possible lol?), so I’ll definitely wear these for my most intense workouts.

      Everyone I talked to said I had to try Fabletics plus-size leggings, and this adventure finally got me to order a couple pairs online. DING DING DING, we have a WINNER! These were truly the best leggings I’ve ever tried on. I got the leggings with the highest amount of compression because they had incredible reviews, but I was really nervous about the sizing. I went with what the size guide told me, and upon first receiving the leggings, I thought there was no way they’d fit. They look so tiny before you put them on your body, but they stretch to fit you perfectly.
      I love the compression and feel of these leggings so much. I’ve worn them to the gym a few times (tiny flex, yeah, I work out, what’s it to ya), and I can’t imagine a workout where these don’t work. I love them for weight-training, but when I went for a treadmill run (HUGE flex for me, but I should admit it was a five minute warm-up and was more of a light jog than a run but whatever), they stayed in place the entire time. Truth be told, I’ve had these for a few weeks now, and they haven’t begun to pill even though I’ve washed them a few times.
      Basically, I’d buy these over and over again. I’m planning to place a lot more Fabletics orders in the future; their sports bras are calling my name! I picked them up in red and black because I knew I’d wear them constantly.

       

      I Recreated Famous Pinterest Outfits on My Plus-Size Body

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      in beauty and fashion

      5 Things to Buy Before Spring Arrives

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      Despite what the weather might imply if you take a peek out of just about any window in the continental United States right now, February is coming to a chilly close, which means one thing: spring is on the way.Yes, we’ll probably be shivering and wearing our snowboots through March, but the time to stock up on winter gear has finally passed, and it’s time to look forward to brighter, happier days—and get our closets stocked too. (I don’t know about you, but after this quarantined winter, I don’t know that I’ve ever looked forward to spring this much.)
      Ready to strip off your layers of wool and down coats to reveal something lighter and brighter? Here are five places to start:

      1. Wide-Leg Pants

      Millennials, don’t get your panties in a bunch just yet. (It’s worth noting that I, albeit a young one, am also a millennial, so there’s no reason to panic here). Your skinny jeans can stay at the top of your stack of jeans if that’s your cup of tea, but if you’re looking to try something fun and new, a pair of wide-leg jeans or trousers were made for you (it also doesn’t hurt that they’re basically one step up from sweats). Think: full lengths, high waists, and legs just a bit wider than your straight jeans.

       

      2. Minimalist Knitwear

      For the perfect transition from winter to spring wear, invest in the minimalist knitwear trend. Rather than the chunky, oversized sweaters and cardigans we’ve been bundled up in for six months, these are thinner, lighter, and tighter. Bonus points if you wear a matching knit bra-top layered underneath.

       

      3. Bridgerton-esque Prints

      Yes, I know, “florals for spring,” and what not, but really, what is spring without some floral wardrobe pieces? This spring’s are more in your face than years past, with dreamy floral prints that will take us back to our favorite Netflix binge.

       

      4. Eyelet Lace

      In a move that feels like the polar opposite of our loungewear, feminine, dreamy eyelet lace is making its way onto the spring scene. The detailed, larger cutouts make just about any piece they adorn look a little more interesting, and could be in the running for your first non-winter walk around the block.

       
      5. Something Pink

      After a long, dark winter, nothing sounds better than the bright, chilly colors that spring is offering us this year, and at the top of that list is bubblegum pink. If you’re still hanging onto your sweats, trade out a grey pair for one in the hue; or if you’re ready to wear real clothes again, opt for a top or dress that you’ll reach for all spring and summer long.

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      in beauty and fashion

      The Best Places to Shop for Plus-Size Underwear

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      The year is 2008. You’ve just arrived at the mall with your best friend, lip gloss poppin’, bangs straight as paper, with just a hint of glitter lining your cheekbones. You and your bestie know that you have one destination in mind: Victoria’s Secret. It’s their semi-annual sale and you’ve both planned to pick out six cute pairs of panties for $25 (which is kind of expensive if you also want to get Auntie Anne’s, but you’ll make it work). You walk into VS, your best friend makes a beeline for the undies section, and you follow closely behind. The two of you exchange knowing looks and then dive into the madness of the busy store. Noticing that the shelves are organized by sizes—extra-small on the top—you squat to search through what’s on the bottom row, and then realize the sizes stop at extra-large, and the extra-large looks like a medium. To curb your disappointment of yet another store not selling your size, you grab a “Strawberries and Champagne” body cream and check out.For some of us, the aforementioned feeling of disappointment is all too familiar. It’s the feeling of walking into a store with high hopes and walking out empty-handed because they don’t sell our sizes. As used to this feeling as I am, it always puzzles me when I notice that companies don’t prioritize inclusive sizing in underwear—it’s essential for Pete’s sake! Just like any other woman, plus-size women don’t want to have an underwear drawer full of only baggy, full-coverage panties. We want sexy, versatile, fun undies, too! Here’s a list of companies that make that possible:

      If you’re looking for comfortable undies

      Editor’s Choice:

      Play Cheeky

      Prior to my first time trying Parade Underwear, I would always see people talking about them on Instagram. Let me be the first to say it: they live up to the hype. I also love how inclusive their site models are. I feel seen, heard, and supported by these undies! 

       

      If you’re looking for sexy matching sets

      Editor’s Choice:

      Savage X Fenty
      Savage Not Sorry Half Cup Bra with Lace

      Do you remember where you were when Rihanna first dropped Savage X Fenty? I was in my best friend’s dorm room, huddled over her computer, counting down the minutes until we’d be let into the site. Since that day, Savage X Fenty has consistently created for the curvy girls—and for that, we thank Queen Rihanna.

       

      Editor’s Choice:

      Kaia Contour Plus

      Similar to Savage X Fenty, Adore Me makes cute and sensible undies for plus sizes. Before brands like these, I just assumed that people like me (over a size 12) weren’t meant to wear sexy lingerie. Turns out, we looked great in it! All we needed was a little extra fabric and a community that was encouraging. 

       

      If you’re looking for different style options

      Editor’s Choice:

      Third Love
      Petal Lace High Rise Brief

      Here’s the thing, I’ve never been a thong-lover, but this company has converted me. If you’re looking for a one-stop-shop for all of your underwear drawer needs, you might want to check out Thirdlove. They have high-quality, cute, and affordable options for your favorite styles. Whether you’re a boyshort fan or a brief kind of girl, you’ll find what you’re looking for.

       

      If you’re looking for something different

      Editor’s Choice:

      Feel Free Boy Short

      Sometimes we want to wear undies and just undies. These are the type of underwear you want for lazy days, lounging around the house, and binge-watching Bridgerton (for the fourth time). 

       

      Editor’s Choice: 

      First Line Leakproof Bikini LC

      Not only are these super comfy, but they have built-in leak protection for light period days (plus they’re antibacterial and odor-repellent).

       

      As a person who would rather be pantless on all occasions, I recommend you give yourself a gift and show your underwear drawer some love by trying out the companies listed above. Moreover, from one plus-size girl to another, no matter your race, size, identity, or age, you deserve underwear that makes you feel beautiful and prioritized. More