Meet Andrionna Williams | Mental Health Advocate & Clothing Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrionna Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrionna, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I would say FREEDOM… The freedom to make my own schedule so I didn’t miss anything when it pertained my family. Financial freedom being able to set weekly and monthly goals and crush them. Being able to set my own rules and be available to live life rather just exist!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am the CEO of Curvy Gurl Collection… being a plus size woman was not easy especially when it came to clothing. I hated the tablecloth prints, the nude bland colors and ugly abstract prints. I wanted pizzazz, flair, definition, vivid colors, splits, class, sheer, sex appeal, and snazzz and the only way I was going to get that was if I created it myself. So I did just that… I made plus size fashion fun, flirty, and sexy and I flaunted it. Daily I would get asked where did you get that pin striped suit, where did you find that beautiful skirt, or honey you wearing those jeans… and I would say ME! I designed it… Then I would get hit with do you design and sew for others… at that time I didn’t but I soon started!
Being a plus size designer wasn’t easy… plus size women weren’t deemed gorgeous because our sizes were two digits. We are often told “Wow you are pretty for a BIG gurl!” which still tickles me when I hear it. Even though we were strictly plus size we ran into the smaller women wanting the designs to fit them as well or people wanting us to do smaller size designs- but that was NOT what I envisioned. So we decided to name the brand Curvy Gurl and we designed for women sizes 10 and beyond. We found that women had several problem areas like a small waist but huge butts and hips and their pants buckling in the back or the pants legs too short or way too long… or a small bust and large arms so cute shirts wouldn’t fit them. We heard and seen the concerns and we altered them. We then started designing clothes to fit every womans body to a T… haute couture!
No one wanted to take a chance on plus size clothing they truly felt plus size women didn’t shop and spend money, when that was the furthest thing from the truth. Plus size women shopped alot especially where they felt comfortable. So we made it comfortable! We had one on one consultations and fittings with mirrors everywhere, purple carpet runway and a purple Queen chair and our clients were able to stroll around the showroom try on clothes, take selfies, and get alterations done while they waited. Curvy Gurl provided an amazing experience. Then graduated to doing fashion shows and opening a modeling agency and we brought the best out of every woman we came in contact with. Curvy Gurl promotes self care, love, and respect… being not only comfortable but confident in the skin you are in!
Weight doesn’t define you… character does!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well I’m an artsy fartsy type of person but also a history buff and a lover of humble beginnings so our week would consist of: Breakfast at the Marietta Diner then stop by and grab tickets for the MLK home tour for the next day then hit the World of Coca Cola after being in there for hours then we can walk around take pictures dinner at CUTS Steakhouse.
Little Five Points, Black Wall Street, Chateau Elan, Lake Lanier, Piggly Wiggly in Decatur, the Trap Museum, Linnethia’s Lounge, BURN Cigar Bar, Gus Fried Chicken, Krab Queenz, Ruth Chris, Fox Theatre, The Aquarium, Piedmont Park, Lenox Mall, Phipps, Botanical Garden, St. James Live, and the list goes on!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My three sons are who keep me motivated and never giving up!

Website: www.andrionna.net

Instagram: simplyandrionna

Linkedin: Andrionna Williams

Facebook: Andrionna Williams

Image Credits
Getty Images Freddy O Cheyenne Drive Productions