Introduction to Cinched Collections

It's time for us to redefine the term "curvy".

People typically associate the word "curvy" with plus size. However, there are soooo many curvy size 6 or 8 women who also struggle to find clothing that properly fits, but there have been very few brands that cater to this niche market. The average size woman in the US is currently between a size 16-18. However, there are still huge disparities between regular and plus sizes in the market.

Cinched Collections is an e-commerce apparel line that is specifically curated and designed with curvy black and brown women in mind, including sizes S-5X! The styles have additional inches added accordingly for women with prominent bust, thigh, and hip areas. This line includes tops, bottoms, dresses, and jumpsuits. Women of color are heavily advertised within marketing campaigns to promote self-esteem and representation! The clothing is produced in NYC by a minority-owned manufacturer.

Many women tend to struggle finding clothing that properly fits. However, this issue disproportionately affects women of color specifically. They also rarely feel properly represented within mainstream media, especially within the fashion industry. Cinched Collections embraces curvy, black and brown women while having them at the forefront of the brand! This brand allows them to finally feel seen and heard within the fashion industry. I conduct surveys to gather customer insight before starting the product development process for each collection. Women of color need to feel represented and empowered, especially while coping with the traumas that this past year alone has presented.

Cinched Collections open doors by outsourcing and employing people of various backgrounds, especially people of color. We as minority women in the fashion industry are often subjected to various forms of discrimination and toxicities such as microaggressions, wage discrimination, social alienation, lack of opportunities and acknowledgement, etc. Our goal from an environmental perspective will be to promote equality, reduce burnout rates, and increase cultural acceptance within the workplace. Cinched prides itself in promoting a healthy and motivating work environment for all employees!

Cinched Collections is also partnering with local NYC Universities and fashion programs to employ their talented students as fashion and social media interns. This will be a well-rounded internship program that allows students to work directly with the owner to learn the inner workings of running a fashion startup. These students will be able to receive college credit. Cinched Collections stimulates New York financially, educationally, and culturally. We’re determined to continue contributing to the well-being of the community while reshaping the fashion industry!

Also, we are often the blueprint for trends and culture in fashion; however, we rarely get the proper recognition for our significant contributions to the landscape of the industry. Cinched Collections embraces curvy, black and brown women while having them at the forefront of the brand! They will finally feel seen and heard within the fashion industry.

Curvy, women of color deserve a brand that is made to cater to our needs.

About the Founder: Ashley Joyner

As the Owner and Founder of Cinched Collections, I was inspired to create this clothing line to fill major voids for women of color within the fashion industry. I have studied and worked in fashion merchandising and product development for nine years.

I have seen the struggles that many women of color including myself experience at the hands of the fashion industry such as microaggressions, wage discrimination, social alienation, lack of opportunities and acknowledgement, etc. I faced extreme burnout, depression, and anxiety while working as a buyer/merchandiser in toxic corporate retail positions. I even once lost 10 pounds within a week due to stress and a lack of appetite. I’ve learned a lot of what not to do within a leadership position and company organization. I knew that this was just a stepping stone and a setup for God's purpose in her life.

While creating this line has been far from easy, it serves a greater purpose by catering to an extremely underserved market.