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fashion

red carpet to real world

Constance Marie steps off the set and into the design studio for her new fashion line with the real woman in mind.

I know I am pretty athletic as an American, but when it comes to being an actress I’m a little chubby,” says one of TV’s most notable Latina actresses. It’s hard to believe these words could ever come out of the mouth of the naturally lithe Constance Marie, but in the Hollywood world of size 00 ingénues, it’s easy to see why.
When the co-star of George Lopez received samples of couture gowns for red carpet events, some of those tiny designs were a bit tight for the former dancer. And when auditioning, she was told some roles were being given to actresses with “different” body types, she says.
“It’s pretty brutal,” she admits. “Then, I think of the average woman who has to do her own thing and has no one there to help her.” So she stepped in, taking tips and tricks learned from fashion designers, star stylists and wardrobe department pros and cleverly incorporated them into her newest endeavor, The Constance Marie Collection.
“I can only do this from the perspective of being a Latin woman in Hollywood,” she says, “But I’m designing for real women, for women who are a little fuller.”
When stylists would present her with outfits for event appearances, Constance Marie would add belts, rewrap dresses or add personal touches that reflected her personal style and flattered her figure.
“For the last two-and-a-half years I have been trying to do a clothing line,” she says. Through a packed schedule, Constance found time to work with fabric, design and styling during the one-week breaks she got after three weeks of straight filming George Lopez. The result is a collection boasting pieces that suit women at every point in their lives: work, play and even some evening wear. “[I’ve created] everything for me. The real me is casual. Then I have the ... me that has to work. I can relate to all of it.”
One of her favorite pieces is a champagne dress with straps wide enough to hide bra straps, and fitted to camouflage what she calls “some extra tamales.”
Growing up, the actress of Mexican descent says her family’s modest means inspired her to be extra creative with her clothes, altering and recreating them. And her line, available at Mervyn’s department stores and through her website, is an homage to affordable style and community involvement.
“I am really interested in businesses that give back,” she says. Mervyn’s, for instance, provides at-risk children a type of credit card called Child Spree, and BIYAYCDA.com, which also sells her line, donates a portion of proceeds to providing at-risk students with tutoring and scholarships.
Though committed to her craft of acting, and most recently producing, Constance is also dedicated to her new profession as a fashion designer. “I want to do this as long as I can, as long as I’m doing good and giving back.”

Constance Marie’s
Fashion Rules to Live By

Following three simple rules makes the art of dressing easier, if not effortless.

1 Constance Marie’s universal rule: No horizontal stripes. She never wears them, but if you must, pick a really thin stripe, she says.

2 If you are have an apple shape (meaning you are carry more weight at your core, stomach and waist), wear tops that have an empire waist. Shirts cut on the bias and that flare out might camouflage some rolls and hide dreaded muffin top.

3 Everyone needs a pair of “booty lovin’” jeans. Look for a pair with stretch for added comfort and a more flattering fit. In addition to having spandex, jeans in Constance Marie’s line have an extra 2.65 inches to the back.