“I would say that my shop is a place for people that are very underserved in our community—plus-sized women, minorities and the LGBT community,” says Jenny Hayes. "Everybody’s really embraced here and I feel like—you’ll see my customers come in here and make friends with each other. They follow each other on Instagram. We have this little thing going where we like post our outfits. Its very connected. Everybody’s really connected. We do these photoshoots with everyone. We are starting a walking group. It is way more than just a little shop.” Photo: Tyson Call
Jenny Hayes is the owner of Buxom Modern Plus Boutique, which specializes in vintage-inspired and modern clothing for women in sizes L-6X. She grew up in San Diego, but now calls Salt Lake City home. Frustrated at being unable to find the clothes she liked in plus sizes, she solved the problem herself! Buxom Modern Plus Boutique specializes in things you can’t normally find at the big box retailers, such as corsets, cotton dresses, costumes, cocktail dresses, extra wide calf boots and retro styled clothing.
Anastasia Furrow is a plus size model, as well as employee at Buxom Modern Plus Boutique. She left the corporate world for the unpredictable world of fashion.
Every month, SLUG Style features a distinct and unique member of the community and asks them why they do what they do. Exploring more than just clothing, SLUG Style is an attempt to feature the people who give Salt Lake City flavor through personality and panache.
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“I worked in construction and interior design before I opened the shop,” says Jenny Hayes, owner of Buxom Modern Plus Boutique. “I just got tired of that lifestyle and decided that this would be fun.” The store opened in June of 2014 and has been greeted with much success.
“My life feels so different from before I opened this shop to after,” says Hayes. “Like the relationships that I’ve formed with the women that come in here. I’ve always known that it was kind of loaded—opening a plus size shop is much more than just clothing. I feel like its a statement. Its a statement about body positivity and loving yourself.”
“I just love how fashion speaks,” says Furrow. “It tells a story without you having to say anything. I like that someone can look at me and kind of already get a feeling for what I’m all about before I say m
“I like retro—I’m inspired by retro things,” says Hayes. “I think my personal inspiration comes more from my youth. I kind of did the mod thing, and the goth thing, and I think I have a little bit of residual leftover from my fashion experience. I like theatrical things for myself.”
“I had in my mind that Buxom wasn’t just gonna be a shop—that it would be kind of a little community and I really feel like that has happened,” says Hayes.
“I kind of just took the initiative and came in right when (Buxom) opened,” says Furrow. “Jenny and I have been friends ever since. We did photoshoots together. We both have the same overall goals with what we want in our careers.”
“[My style] is very modern—lines—that’s what I like. Wearing all one color but modern and with an edge to it. I love that,” says Furrow.
“Fashion is a way to express yourself,” says Anastasia Furrow. “It is a way to change up your day. If you put on a beautiful dress and you feel extra fine it just kind of makes your day more awesome.” Anastasia has worked with Buxom Modern Plus Boutique as a model since it opened, and recently began helping run the store as well.
“I would say that my shop is a place for people that are very underserved in our community—plus-sized women, minorities and the LGBT community,” says Hayes. “Everybody’s really embraced here and I feel like—you’ll see my customers come in here and make friends with each other. They follow each other on Instagram. We have this little thing going where we like post our outfits. Its very connected. Everybody’s really connected. We do these photoshoots with everyone. We are starting a walking group. It is way more than just a little shop.”
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