2023 Participant Biographies

I am Cher Poitevien, a personal stylist specializing in bra fits, undergarments and plus-size fashion. A fashion junkie since my teens, my stylist journey began when I tried to curtail my retail habit. My closets were bursting at the seams, but SHOPPING and BUDGET are two words that I just couldn't make work together. It was time for Plan B; I went to work part-time at a plus-size clothing retailer solely for the discount. During one of my first shifts, I approached a woman who told me she was there to find an outfit for a family function, and then burst into tears. I instantly knew her pain because it was my own - wanting to look and feel beautiful, but thinking that it's hopeless because of your size. There was no way I was going to let her leave my store feeling that way. After a few questions, I set her up in a dressing room, pulled a few outfits and proper undergarments, and we got down to business. An hour later, she was ready to purchase an entire outfit, sexy new bras and panties, shoes and accessories. And she was crying again, and laughing, and hugging me. And the usually not-very-emotional me was crying and hugging her back. As they left the store, her mom hugged me and said "Thank you for making my daughter feel as beautiful as she is." And I knew then that I had found my true calling. It's not difficult to make a woman look beautiful, but there is a special kind of magic that emanates from a woman who FEELS beautiful.