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wp-yahoo-style-1042-yahoopa-blog · 6 years

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How a purple backpack designed by Serena Williams will support domestic violence victims

#TheCurrent: Serena Williams introduces a purple backpack with Allstate Foundation Purple Purse to support domestic violence victims. (Photo: Allstate Foundation Purple Purse)

Yahoo Lifestyle would like to introduce you to #TheCurrent, a column by fashion editor Julie Tong, in which she gives her stamp of approval to some of the latest fashion products and launches.

On average, 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). October marks Domestic Violence Awareness month, and in honor of this occasion, Serena Williams, world tennis champion, wife and mother, is doing her part to support victims of domestic violence.

For the second year in a row, she will act as an ambassador for the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse. “Being a voice for women’s empowerment has always been incredibly important to me, and having Olympia has only made that more significant,” Williams says to Yahoo Lifestyle. “Right now, one in four women experience domestic violence in her lifetime. As a mother, I want to make sure that every little girl, including Olympia, won’t have to face a statistic like that when she grows up. I want people to know how to see the signs and where to get resources, like those through Purple Purse, so they can help someone in need.”

In collaboration with the Allstate Foundation, Williams has designed a special purple bag to kick off this year’s Purple Purse Challenge. “A purse is symbolic of a women’s financial domain. We’re thrilled … Serena Williams took that to heart when designing the purse … and we’re confident it will encourage an even greater number of people to get involved and support the participating nonprofits,” Vicky Dinges, Allstate’s senior vice president of corporate relations, tells Yahoo Lifestyle.

This year, in lieu of a traditional purse, Williams has designed a purple backpack. It is made of soft purple leather and suede and features two front zippers and a tassel key chain.

The bag is meant to represent the invisible abuse so many women face on a daily basis: financial abuse, something 99 percent of domestic violence victims experience. The annual October challenge galvanizes nonprofits across the country to raise money in support of domestic violence survivors. In 2017, the Purple Purse Challenge raised over $4 million, and since its inception in 2014, it has raised over $10 million.

Serena Williams attends the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse launch of a national street art campaign to raise domestic violence and financial abuse awareness in New York in June. (Photo: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)

The funds raised go toward providing domestic violence survivors access to child care, food, and shelter, as well as financial training.

“When designing it, Serena Williams sought to create a purse that could house all the necessities for her daily life as she embarks on frequent travel, runs errands, continues to settle into motherhood, and pursues her entrepreneurial and philanthropic endeavors,” Dinges shares with Yahoo Lifestyle. “She recognizes that all women — no matter what they do — rely on their purses to hold the tools essential for success in their daily lives. Designed to carry a woman’s everyday items, the backpack is practical, while making no sacrifice when it comes to style.”

The organization says that 300 of Serena Williams’s “Purple Purse” backpacks will be distributed to shelters across the country in an effort to raise money for those affected by domestic violence.

To date, more than $60 million has been invested to support over 1.3 million survivors. Although the backpack will not be for sale to the public, you can still do your own part to support domestic violence survivors by donating online or purchasing a purple tassel key chain for as little as $10 on purplepurse.com.

If you are in need of assistance with domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224.

Read More from Yahoo Lifestyle:

• Kendall Jenner emerges from her fashion week drought to walk in Burberry show • The major Bella Hadid runway trend you can copy for $13 • First deaf, transgender model is signed to the same agency as Gigi Hadid and Gisele Bündchen

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#_author_id:7764d670-9c76-11e6-a1e3-04cfcffa9d9f #style #serena williams #fashion #purple purse #allstate foundation #domestic violenc #domestic violence awareness #new #news #domestic violence #purse #backpack #_uuid:d7947faa-35f8-387b-8dbe-27f1c2f5c866 #_draft:true

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wp-yahoo-style-1042-yahoopa-blog · 6 years

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How Gabi Gregg is championing plus size swim for ‘real’ women everywhere

Gabi Gregg for Swimsuit for All. (Photo: Courtesy of Swimsuits for All)

Gabi Gregg (aka GabiFresh) is one of the fearless leaders moving the needle in the the fashion industry’s booming body positive movement. She’s been credited with popularizing the “Fatkini” trend back in 2012 and has since collaborated with the inclusive line, Swimsuits for All for several seasons now. Her latest collection for the brand is called “Power Play,” and for it, Gregg has done something she’s never done before. The plus size influencer and swim label hosted an open casting call in Los Angeles to discover 9 real, curvy women who would become her campaign co-stars.

Gabi Gregg and the 9 real women cast for Swimsuits for All campaign. (Photo: Courtesy of Swimsuits for All)

More than 500 women showed up to the casting call for a chance to be featured. Some women even flew across the country for a chance at the opportunity. How did Gregg ultimately choose her 9 campaign co-stars? “I didn’t go in with any specific expectations or limitations because I really wanted to have an open mind when I was casting. The only thing I knew for sure is that I wanted to have a diverse range of women, especially when it came to body types and race and size” Gregg tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Confidence was also a big considering factor. “We asked each woman, why she was there, what wearing a swimsuit meant to her and a little bit of her story. That way I was able to gauge her confidence and how she would be on camera.” The campaign was shot at Santa Monica Pier in California and features women sizes 10-26 (all sizes which are available in the collection). It was important to Gregg to not just show “the typical hourglass body” but “women of all shapes, sizes, and races” so that women everywhere “could see themselves reflected.”

Models and Gabi Gregg in the new Swimsuits for All campaign. (Photo: Courtesy of Swimsuits for All)

Gabi Gregg for Swimsuits for All. (Photo: Courtesy of Swimsuits for All)

But for so many plus size women, swimsuits— especially bikinis can feel daunting to wear. For this reason, Gregg has offered a few tips to help you build your body confidence if you are not quite ready. The first step is to “be conscious of who you’re following on social media…make an effort to really follow people who reflect your body type and what you look like because I think the power of representation could not be overstated enough.” By doing the opposite and following and seeing women who “don’t look anything like you, that can be very harmful to how you feel about yourself.”

The second tip is to look for styles that “make you feel the best” when shopping for swimwear. Gabi cites high-waisted swimsuits as good options, bikini tops with underwire for extra support, and especially a “great cover up” can go a long way. According to Gregg, “instead of relying on an old ratty t-shirt to cover up, it’s a really sexy and stylish way to still feel that confidence.” There’s a few stylish options available in the collection too, like the one Gregg wears below.

Gabi Gregg in one of her collection’s cover ups for Swimsuits for All. (Photo: Courtesy of Swimsuits for All)

But while Swimsuit for All has become a beacon for body positive swimwear, not all swim labels have followed suit. One noticeable example is the cult, celeb favorite label, Solid & Striped. The brand came under fire earlier this year after releasing a swim campaign which featured 12 thin, white models and only one model of color (Jourdan Dunn). The campaign struck a chord with many people who called out the campaign’s lack of diversity and representation. This prompted the brand’s CEO to issue an apology, promising to “do better.”

In this case, Gregg recognizes that the campaign was, yes “beautifully done” and the “women are gorgeous,” but it’s still “disappointing to see a swim campaign with all the same size, and mostly the same race.” But she also sees a silver lining. “The backlash, and the kind of controversy around that campaign shows how far we have come as a society. People are raising their voices and saying, ‘hey we want to see more diversity, this isn’t cool.‘” If this image came out a few years ago, “it would’ve just been seen as normal.”

Although there have been strides, such as Ashley Graham‘s 2016 Sports Illustrated cover, more diverse model casts on the runway, and established brands like Loft expanding into plus, there’s still more work to be done.

“We definitely need to see more diversity in all campaigns across the board and specifically in swim, as swim is a different category where we have a lot of skin exposed and women still feel a little insecure about their “flaws,” says Gregg. However, with the help of brands like Swimsuits for All, we can “help push the needle and move the industry forward and show that you can have fun and look beautiful and be confident in swimwear regardless of your size.”

Head to swimsuitsforall.com to shop the new GabiFresh collection and find your perfect swimsuit just in time for summer.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

• The ultimate ankle boots shopping guide: Shop 32 boots under $250 • QVC just released early Black Friday deals and these are the best ones • Meghan Markle’s glam style, in plus sizes: Jason Wu’s new Eloquii collection is seriously sexy

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wp-yahoo-style-1042-yahoopa-blog · 6 years

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Today only, Target is having a massive sale on all kids' gifts: Shop our top picks

For one day only, on Saturday, Nov. 17, you’ll able to take 20 percent off all kids’ gifts. (Photo: Target, Art: Yahoo Lifestyle photo-illustration)

Get a head start on gift-shopping for all of your kids at Target. For one day only today, Saturday Nov. 17, you’ll be able to take 20 percent off all kids’ gifts. From Barbie dolls and Minecraft to toys for budding architects and chefs, there’s plenty to choose from. But hurry, don’t wait too long to shop! Before you know it, the sale will be over. Below, shop our top favorite picks. The editors at Yahoo Lifestyle are committed to finding you the best products at the best prices. At times, we may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page.

SkeeBall The Classic Arcade Game

SkeeBall The Classic Arcade Game. (Photo: Target)

Bring the arcade home with this portable SkeeBall set. It includes 5 balls and 4 hoops. It’s the perfect game for just one or the whole family!

Shop it: $30, target.com

Boxer Interactive A.I. Robot Toy with Personality and Emotions

Boxer Interactive A.I. Robot Toy with Personality and Emotions. (Photo: Target)

This isn’t your ordinary robot. You’ll be able to play 10 different games with this little guy and it expresses a wide variety of emotions too! It’ll be your kid’s new lovable companion.

Shop it: $80, target.com

MindWare Dig It Up: Dinosaur Eggs

MindWare Dig It Up: Dinosaur Eggs. (Photo: Target)

A must-have for any dinosaur fans. With this kit, your child will be able to excavate and chisel away to discover his own little dinosaurs. It comes with 12 eggs total and each include a different dinosaur. All you have have to do is soak the egg and they can start chiseling away!

Shop it: $25, target.com

Cool Maker KumiKreator Friendship Bracelet Maker Activity Kit

Cool Maker KumiKreator Friendship Bracelet Maker Activity Kit. (Photo: Target)

For any fashionista, this kit will allow your child to create up to 10 bracelets for all of her friends. She can choose different designs with its 88 pre-loaded colorful spools and create a bracelet in a matter of minutes!

Shop it: $30, target.com

Nintendo Switch with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy-Con

Nintendo Switch with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy-Con. (Photo: Target)

This portable gaming device has 3 play styles: TV mode, Tabletop Mode, and a Handheld Mode. It is designed for single players as well as multiple players. It also has Wi-FI capability and a battery life that can last up to 6+ hours. It’s a must-have for any avid gamer.

Shop it: $300, target.com

MineCraft Good vs Evil Comforter

MineCraft Good vs Evil Comforter. (Photo: Target)

For all MineCraft lovers, they will be able to cozy up at night underneath this warm and soft blanket. Depending on their mood, they’ll be able to switch the blanket to sleep under the “evil” side up or the “good” side.

Shop it: $33, target.com

Magna-Tiles Clear Colors 74pc Set

Magna-Tiles Clear Colors 74pc Set. (Photo: Target)

For any architect-to-be, this set is a great tool to test their creativity. With 74 tiles, your child will be able to easily stack and invent new structures everyday.

Shop it: $120, target.com

Party PopTeenies Mega Party Surprise Set

Party PopTeenies Mega Party Surprise Set. (Photo: Target)

If your child loves surprises, this is designed with 3 special poppers that have surprise dolls inside. Altogether, there are over 50 pieces to play with, from dolls, to pets, furniture and more.

Shop it: $40, target.com

Melissa & Doug Pizza Party Wooden Play Food Set with 18 Toppings

Melissa & Doug Pizza Party Wooden Play Food Set with 18 Toppings. (Photo: Target)

For any budding pizza chef, this is a must-have. Pretend to throw a pizza party with over 50 toppings and 6 serving slices. The best part is that when you slice through the pizza, it actually makes “slicing” noises!

Shop it: $17, target.com

Barbie Careers Zoo Doctor Doll & Playset

Barbie Careers Zoo Doctor Doll & Playset. (Photo: Target)

For an inspiring veterinarian, this Barbie set comes equipped with baby animals, a medical station with tools and accessories. She’ll be able to start her “training early” with this career-centered set.

Shop it: $18, target.com