Redbook magazine revealed the 10 winners of its first Real Women Style Awards, and a local made the cut. Georgette Niles of Overbrook beat out over 3,000 contestants in an online competition. A team of judges including Jessica Simpson and celebrity stylist Brad Goreski reviewed 25 finalists and voted Niles’ style — “classic, with trends thrown in” as she describes it — one of the best.
The winners are featured in the September issue of Redbook, which hit stands today.
“I get inspiration from different mediums like magazines and other plus-size bloggers when I see them wearing something that is on trend or breaking fashion rules. It gives me the courage to do that as well,” Niles says. “I am also inspired by color because it’s vibrant and I think that shows off my personality.”
The win is a boost to Niles’ self-confidence.
“It’s a journey I started three years ago of learning to accept myself and accept my body and like who I am instead of trying to conform to society’s standards of what a woman should look like,” she says.
Redbook partnered up with JC Penney for the style awards to highlight all fashionistas, no matter their body type or budget. “I would like to inspire other women to feel comfortable about themselves,” Niles says. “It’s not about a plus-size woman or a straight-sized woman. It’s about women embracing their bodies and being healthy towards themselves.”