Grid of images of inspiring women

The Year of You 2021

You are our muse and this is your year.

Inspiration and wisdom from women supporting women in our Lane community — a little bit of everything from fashion to family to the life lessons that unite us all.

03/
21 March

Celebrating Women's History Month

Our fearless forward-thinking founder Lena Bryant blazed the trail for all of us back in 1904 and we are here, over a century later, to carry the torch by celebrating women — all women. This month and every month. Because when we support each other, we are truly unstoppable.

Maddy Jones photo 1

Maddy Jones

Maddy is the legit definition of “we don’t know how she does it.” Between super-momming and running the show at PLUS Model Magazine — the leading fashion publication for the plus size community — she inspires with a smile & incredible style. We’ve worked with her for 15+ years and have loved every second (& snapshot)!

Every woman needs JOY in her life!
Maddy Jones photo 2

Her style

PROUDEST CAREER MOMENT
Being included in the (Lane Bryant) Mother’s Day campaign with my daughter has been the highlight of my career. When my daughter was diagnosed with Autism, they said she would not speak or do much of what typical developing children would do, and there we were representing special needs families with the most notable name in the plus size fashion industry. WOW! That was such an incredible moment for our family.
WOMEN FROM HISTORY + TODAY THAT INSPIRE YOU
My grandmother Eladia Rivera. She was taken out of school in the 3rd grade to help her family tend to the farm. Even though she had limited education, she learned to read, helped raise three successful children, and supported my grandfather as a pastor’s wife. I try and honor her every day, no matter what I’m doing.
HOPES FOR WOMEN OF THE FUTURE
I hope that the next generation of women will own their space and not allow others to dictate how they feel about themselves or put limitations on them. I hope that the footprints I leave behind will show a woman who tried, failed at times, yet had some success and lived an authentic life in service to the plus size industry.
PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT RITUAL(S)
I’m a big advocate for self-care. Meditation and working out have been essential in my life. Both positively affect my mental health by allowing me to feel good about taking time out of my busy day to do something for myself.
WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE
Comfortable, Fun, Sexy!
YYOUR PERSONAL “POWER SUIT”
I think anything you wear can be your “power suit” because your power comes from inside. I do lean towards dresses because a dress can say so much about a woman. A dress embodies the woman who wears it.
EVERY WOMAN NEEDS _____ IN HER CLOSET:
Well-fitting foundations (bras & panties).
EVERY WOMAN NEEDS _____ IN HER LIFE:
JOY.
BEST LIFE ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED
Never make a decision on the spot. Always take time to think about it before you make a final decision.
Steal her style
Maddy Jones photo 3 Maddy Jones photo 4
Marcy Schaffir photo 1

Marcy Schaffir

Where do we begin? Marcy keeps the Lane wheels rolling, and she does it with major heart. She truly cares for the community she serves and always strives to know us better so she can empower us with the fashion we deserve. She leads with purpose, style and grace — inspiring us every day and reminding us why we’re here.

I am proud to work every day creating confidence so that every woman can achieve what she wants and deserves.
Marcy Schaffir photo 2

Her style

PROUDEST CAREER MOMENT
Discovering my calling at Lane Bryant. Early in my career I was ambitious and focused only on career advancement. Now I realize that my purpose is to support and empower women, particularly those in underserved communities. This is the gift that Lane Bryant has given me. I am proud to work every day creating confidence so that every woman can achieve what she wants and deserves.
WOMEN FROM HISTORY + TODAY THAT INSPIRE YOU
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a pioneer and role model for living life with purpose and persistence. I love her quote, “Fight for the things you care about but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” But my late mother was my first inspiration. She was a working mom of four who started her career as a school librarian and ended it advising a President of the United States on educational policy and distance learning.
HOPES FOR WOMEN OF THE FUTURE
I am an advocate for gender equality. Women and girls represent half the world’s population and, therefore, half of its potential. My hope is that women have equal rights, equal opportunities and equal pay. As a leader and a mother of a daughter, I try to be a role model and provide opportunity, mentorship and exposure.
TO FEEL EMPOWERED:
I sing out loud!
HOBBIES THAT DEFINE YOU
Musical theater has been a part of my life since I had a role in my 4th grade musical, Tall Tom Jefferson. I have performed, directed and founded a college arts group (which still thrives on campus today!), and served on the board of directors for two theaters.
3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE
Simple, Approachable, Stylish.
YOUR PERSONAL “POWER SUIT"
A little black dress with a great pair of shoes.
EVERY WOMAN NEEDS _____ IN HER CLOSET:
More space.
EVERY WOMAN NEEDS ______ IN HER LIFE:
Laughter.
BEST LIFE ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED
My mother believed if you can dream it, you can do it and I believe that, too.
Steal her style
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Tasha Jones photo 1

Tasha Jones

We’ve gotten to know Tasha over the last four years through our relationship with Dress for Success — an organization devoted to empowering women by readying them for the workforce. First a DFS client, and now an ambassador, Tasha’s unique style and drive to give back make her an inspiring partner and collaborator.

My hope is that women are not still facing significant ‘firsts,’ deep into the future.
Tasha Jones photo 2

Her style

PROUDEST CAREER MOMENT
Moving out of my comfort zone, to go after a job that would be difficult but rewarding.
WOMEN FROM HISTORY + TODAY THAT INSPIRE YOU
Maya Angelou and Michelle Obama.
HOPES FOR WOMEN OF THE FUTURE
My hope is that women are not still facing significant “firsts,” deep into the future. I hope to inspire them by highlighting & normalizing women in roles and positions that matter.
PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT RITUAL(S)
I reflect on what I’ve been through, and where I am now.
HOBBIES THAT DEFINE YOU
Volunteering.
3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE
Versatile, Timeless, Bohemian.
YOUR PERSONAL “POWER SUIT”
A maxi dress.
EVERY WOMAN NEEDS _____ IN HER CLOSET
A dark blazer.
EVERY WOMAN NEEDS ______ IN HER LIFE
A mentor.
BEST LIFE ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED
Don’t fret over the decision to do something you want, based on how long it will take. That time is going by whether you do it or not.
Steal her style
Tasha Jones photo 3 Tasha Jones photo 4
Gwen DeVoe photo 1

Gwen DeVoe

Can we just add Gamechanger to Gwen’s already-impressive list of titles? She is the innovator who gave us Full Figured Fashion Week, long before body diversity was the conversation it is today. She has played a major role in diminishing the divide between true fashion and the plus size community — and for that, we are eternally grateful.

I hope that we continue to see the seeds that women have planted in various industries come to full blossom.
Gwen DeVoe photo 2

Her style

PROUDEST CAREER MOMENT
One of the proudest moments of my career was when Full Figured Fashion Week was featured on page A1 of The New York Times. That article helped legitimize my event and highlighted a consumer industry that deserved more of the spotlight.
WOMEN FROM HISTORY + TODAY THAT INSPIRE YOU
I continue to be influenced by my Mom who died from breast cancer several years ago. My Mom was one of the strongest women I’ve ever known. When I feel challenged in life, I always think about her incredible strength and resilience and how she hung in there until her life ended. That is how I want people to remember me – a strong woman. Currently, I am inspired by Stacey Abrams, the political strategist who turned a moment into a movement by successfully mobilizing the African American vote in Georgia. Her “let’s get it done” attitude is remarkable. I’m a huge fan.
HOPES FOR WOMEN OF THE FUTURE
The last few months have been very inclusive for women and I hope that we continue to see the seeds that women have planted in various industries come to full blossom. I mean, we have a female Vice President of the United States – how much inspiration is that? I hope to inspire other women by creating positive content that will encourage them to show up as themselves and use their authentic voices to break down any barriers that may be holding them back from being successful.
HOBBIES THAT DEFINE YOU
All my life I have rooted for and nurtured the underdog. I love creating opportunities for people that are often overlooked for one reason or the other. To this day, I continue to look out for the underdog whenever I can.
3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE
Comfortable, Classic, Chic.
YOUR PERSONAL “POWER SUIT”
My power suit consists of any brightly colored maxi wrap dress (especially in a good print), a well-fitting single-breasted jacket (preferably leather), a pair of Converse sneakers and great hair and makeup!
EVERY WOMAN NEEDS _____ IN HER CLOSET:
A wrap dress.
EVERY WOMAN NEEDS ______ IN HER LIFE:
A village of praying, positive and inspirational friends.
BEST LIFE ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED
A friend once told me that “dreams remain dreams until you take action.” I am proud to say that I have taken action on quite a few of my dreams.
Steal her style
Gwen DeVoe photo 3 Gwen DeVoe photo 4

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