About this project
$13,254
159
Cabiria Plus Size whimsical, sensual style in sizes 12 - 24 is launching it's SS13 Collection - AND NOW WE'RE GOING FOR STRETCH GOALS!!
Hi, I'm Eden Miller and I'm the founder, owner, and designer of Cabiria Plus Size, whimsical, sensual style in sizes 12 - 24.
Cabiria was born out of a desire to bring whimsy, sensuality and luxury to the plus size world. We make high-end, daring clothing in sizes 12 - 24, and want to be on store shelves this coming Spring. In order to get there, we’ve launched this campaign to meet our initial production costs.
Where the money will go:
The $8,000 is to pay for grading (sizing up and down) costs for each pattern, factory production fees (higher here in the US than abroad, but so important to keep skilled jobs local), shipping costs, website development, and marketing to let the buyers know about our SS13 line. We want to be part of the network of independent shops, and produce the garments to place in brick and mortar boutiques throughout North America, online retailers, and our own e-store.
the Cabiria SS13 Lookbook - Trastevere Collection
WE ARE NOW THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PLUS SIZE PROJECT EVER ON KICKSTARTER!!
Thanks to you, we have exceeded every other plus size Kickstarter project, both in percentage over goal raised, and dollars raised. That's the way to show people that as a market we exist!
I have big plans, including expanding production abilities, printing our own fabrics, showing the line at trade and trunk shows, upgrading our website and e-store, expanding into new markets, and paying photographers, models, assistants and web developers, etc. a fair wage for their services.
STREEEEEETCH GOOOOOOOALS!!!!!! (said like the Telemundo Futbol Announcer)
Stretch Goals are dollar amounts that can make Cabiria really fly. I've come up with quite a few, but keep in mind this is not an aggregate total - this is the cost of EACH THING, and they are pretty conservative estimates.:
With $400 I can buy the beautiful hangtags and labels I want, handscreened by a small, independently owned American shop. DONE!
With $900 I can buy the most amazing Bemberg lining that's in limited supply, but could become a signature look for the company, especially as a finishing trim or full lining. It's in one of the last "guts and notions" suppliers left on the Lower East Side, in an area that used to be the Tailor's District.
With $1000 I can buy ad space in Plus Model Magazine, Skorch Magazine, DailyVenusDiva, Just As Beautiful, and a few other plus size fashion online magazines to promote pre-sales and encourage retailer and direct customer interest.
With $1250 I can work with The Apparel Agency or Indie Design Association to streamline production delivery and make sure it's all done according to industry expectations.
With $1750 per location, I can do a trunk show with models and refreshments at a plus size boutique interested in doing pre-sales, for instance in New Orleans, St. Paul, Toronto, and Chicago. (this pays for flight, meals, hotel, car, models, refreshments, signage, gear, etc.)
With $4000 I can pay the models, photographer, locations, makeup artist, hair stylist, and additional crew to shoot a Fall/Winter photoshoot, and for digital photo cleanup.
With $6000 I can hire a part time assistant during the production and delivery cycle.
With $7000 I can expand the product development and include sizes 24 - 30.
With $8000 I can rent booth space and show at Women's Wear in Nevada (WWIN) or Pool/Magic Expo which could potentially get us into large department stores and boost us to the next level.
With $9000 I can have 500 yards of custom printed silk jersey made so there would be no sold out fabric patterns ever again.
With $15,000 I can develop the Fall/Winter 2013/14, and purchase fabrics for production of the second season.
That's only $65,550. We can totally pull that off here on Kickstarter!
I've been so lucky to work with incredibly talented professionals who've helped me develop the line and shoot a gorgeous lookbook and catalog, but the cost of production is a huge hurdle.
the Cabiria SS13 Collection Catalog
Why should I donate if I'm not a plus size woman?
The world is full of messages out there telling people that they don't deserve good things if they don't fit a certain size range, are the correct shape, color, height, etc. To be plus size becomes a moral crime, and people absorb this judgement as a personal fact, lowering self esteem and self worth. When there are no beautiful clothes of equal quality in stores, it perpetuates this ugliness. It's a step in the right direction to send a message that ALL people deserve the same positive options and access to beautiful clothes.
Plus, our donation swag tote bags, mugs, chocolates and Gregory's Coffee fit everyone perfectly.
About the Designer:
I have spent over two decades working as an award winning costume designer and wardrobe stylist for film, television and theater, among other roles in the garment industry. I am also a size 18 - 20, and know how frustrating it can be to want the luxurious fabrics and fine craftsmanship available to smaller sizes, but feel the offerings in most stores aren’t right for your age, spirit or professional needs, or they have nothing even approaching a plus size.
Why is Cabiria Different from other Plus lines?
Cabiria is made entirely in the USA, using sumptuous fabrics, ebullient prints and colors, and beautiful craftsmanship. Each fabric is available in a limited quantity, so ordering a run creates exclusivity for each store and each customer. We believe in cutting for the fullness of the plus size figure, ease of movement, considerate details that make you feel good in your clothes, and for long term wearability. This creates a community that is entitled to the same choices available to straight size women. Modern classics that have no use for shy attitudes. We deserve better clothes!
the plus size market and our place in it
What does Cabiria mean (& how do I say it)?
pronunciation courtesy of a nice Italian lady on Forvo.com/languages/it/
I took the name Cabiria from the 1957 Italian film “Nights of Cabiria” by Federico Fellini. In the film, Franca Marzi plays a woman of stature, size, and most importantly, unapologetic, smoldering sexiness. Looking through mid-century European cinema, I found a trend of big, brazen women unafraid of life. Cabiria is dedicated to this attitude of daring audacity.
the sketches with lots of fabric options not yet produced
What's Do I Get?:
I thought long and hard about what would appeal to all genders, sizes, and desires, and what would tie in with the beautiful scenery of mid-century Trastevere - a neighborhood in Rome, just west of the Tiber River and south of the Vatican. This is what I came up with:
a coloring book!
complete with the name of each style and the actress and film that inspired it. It's in PDF form so you can just download and color away as many times as you like. And yes, I skipped class the days Rose Fabricant at Pratt taught faces and hands. Color them in yourself and improve the sketch! Please!
a bistro mug!
it's curvy and kinda sexy for a mug, right? I 'shopped our logo on this one but you'll get this classic 14 oz. Italian bistro mug capable of handling a doppio con panna any morning.
Gregory's Coffee! (a full bodied Italian roast, naturally)
this is one of my favorite incentives. Gregory's Coffee is an independent (yay!) coffee chain with a store on 39th and 7th Ave., a block from Cabiria's pattern and samplemaking facilities, and 1.5 blocks from the production factory. They make great coffee, and this one is an espresso blend with beans from small farms in Brazil, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. I like the idea of small businesses in the Garment District supporting each other, and this coffee is yummy!
a shopping tote!
yeah, I use exclamation marks a lot. Anyway, this big, heavy canvas tote is black and white, with our logo right there so you can declare your love for black and white movies and curvy clothes while shopping for radicchio and Asti Spumante at the mercato degli agricoltori or Eataly.
chocolate AND espresso, together!
delicious dark chocolate covered espresso beans will jump start your candy eating experience! Superior Nuts and Chocolate have been making great chocolates for many years, and make lots of versions. If dark chocolate espresso beans aren't your thing, they have other flavors and even decaf. Decaf candy!
In Summary:
We celebrate women in beautifully made, well cut, modern clothing that shows off their figures. Our fabrics and workmanship are comparable with high-end labels, and our prices are comparable with better designers in the RTW market. This is a market base that already exists for straight size women, and is well represented in stores for them. We fill a niche for plus-size women who want high quality clothing, extraordinary fabrics, and who aren't afraid to be noticed.
I am bringing my years of expertise, high standards and love of beautiful things to you. We deserve better clothes, and together, we can bring them to stores this Spring!
Risks and challenges
Putting together a collection is a balancing act with many moving parts. The season delivery schedule is determined by stores, and in a more meta sense, the weather, so hard deadlines are going to be in place. There are also pitfalls in dealing with stores' buying requirements, as well as production facilities' minimums and scheduling. There are a myriad of challenges in place for a physical stock based project.
Luckily, I've been in fashion and film for over 20 years, and am now a very skilled plate spinner. I've also put in a ton of legwork letting people in the plus size communities know about the line, and getting them interested in the clothes. I'm my own harshest critic and hardest worker, but that also means I deliver results of which I can be proud and willing to wear.
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Funding period
- (30 days)