District of Curves Fashion Showcase

 Last weekend I decided to go to DC on the fly with fellow blogger Natasha, Dressing room 8, for District of Curves Fashion Showcase. I wasn't sure what the show was going to be like or what designers were showing but I wanted to see what DC has to offer in terms of plus size fashion.

We started the day covering the Modeling 101 Workshop hosted by Ausha Smith.  Ausha is the founder of Rèussir School of Modeling, Acting & Refinement and a model herself.  Models was given some simple but much needed (and sometimes forgotten) marketing and modeling tips.  Ausha was VERY hand on with each model and the was #droppinjewels (inside joke...sorry)

Side note: if you ever want to learn about modeling. runway  I would suggest her school as your choice.

I saw these model walk and can tell they worked hard.  I looked at a few of these girls and saw serious model material. From a woman who watched models for a large portion of her career, that is saying a lot.  After seeing these models, I was excited to see them rock that DC runway. 

At the show, we met up with some other bloggers, models, designers and we had an amazing time before the show dancing to Prince and having a serious blogger party!!!!

With Crystal Diggs,  LaTonya BubblestheSocialite Mann, KT-Lex Baker 
Love you ladies!!! Throw my duces up!!!

Now THE fashion....

Over all I really enjoyed myself and DC Fashion Showcase.  I will defiantly be making this trip again. This is a show I am very happy I did not miss.

Photos provided by M. Amstrong photography

STYLE EYE ON LANE BRYANT+ SIRIANO COLABORATION WITH SPOKE MODEL DANIELLE BROOKS

“We took a lot of inspiration from 1950s ice cream parlors. I wanted there to be a lot of prints and stripes and textures, but still feel modern, with a little vintage feeling as well. I think the clothes are really great, wearable, fun and fresh, and that’s what we wanted to see.”-C. Siriano

A few weeks back I let you guys know that one of the HOTTEST designers of our generation has come over to the bright side and releasing his collection for Lane Bryant Feature.

I have LOVED Christan for so many years.  Working backstage for MB Fashion Week for his show as well as project runway, I have witness first hand this man greatness.

For so many years I've craved to wear this designer.  To have this apart of my closet is a bit of a tear jerkier for me.  Plus size women have always had one designer they really wish they could put on their backs and spend their hard earned money for and having Siriano grace my body is making me super excited!!!

ON TOP OF EVERYTHING!!! Danille, Tastee from "Orange is the New Black", is show us just how amazing chocolate thick skin looks in Siriano.  This is not the first time Danielle has rocked Siriano.  Just this past awards season she rocked custom Siriano on the red carpet of the Emmy awards.

Danielle said “Being plus-size, it’s very easy to put a woman in black or navy dress,” she says, “but to get to show color on my chocolate skin is really fun for me, and it’s not an option that always comes around.”
“Right now, I’m embracing it and learning to love my size where I am, and not be ashamed of being plus-size,” she says. “What is there to be ashamed of? I’m sexy. I’m fine. It’s just a number that we’ve given it. I wear a size 14. That number, I could change it to 0, it won’t matter. I’m embracing where I am and trying to stay fit and healthy in the midst of that.”

AMEN TO ALL OF THAT!!!!

The Christian Siriano for Lane Bryant collection hits stores today April 28th. 
Click here to purchase

BEYONCE "LEMONADE" RELEASED VIA TIDAL

At 12:08am on a Saturday night the "beehive" finally received what they have been waiting for.
After a 3 year hiatus Beyoncé release "Lemonade" exclusively on Tidal, a online movie and video streaming cite and app, owned by her husband, Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter.

I feel the need to tell you that I am not  a Beyoncé fan.   I may jig to a song in the club and appreciate her dancing and  stage present but I have never bought a CD or seen her in concert.
I like to say "I'm not against the B-Hive....I'm just indifferent to the B-Hive"

I got the notification that "Lemonade" had dropped on Tidal so naturally I was interested.  I first went to social media to see what people saying.  It didn't help my feeling when I saw people saying "I need 3 days to learn all the dance moves".  I thought "OH GOD!!!  Another dance, feel good video with over the top sexy outfits she barely wears for AN HOUR!!!" NOT INTERESTED

I'm old enough to remember watching the extended version of "Thriller" on TV for the first time and felt that Beyoncé was biting AGAIN from the greats to make more money off of her poor fans. 

Safe to say I started the video with a pre determine notion of what I was going to see.
I was shocked at what I actually saw.

Beyoncé started in bare makeup, a hoodie with her voice and her heart on her sleeve.  I could tell this was not her average "Single Ladies" kind of video.
With titles like "Intuition", "Denial", "Anger", "Rage" running across the screen I realized that this was a story of a women who had dealt with the ultimate betrayal...infidelity.

I said to myself "Where the rumors true?"  Was their marriage really in trouble while they were touring the globe???? When Solange went off on Jay in the elevator...was this the reason??? Was Jay Z stepping out on one of the most beloved and famous women in the word????"

I came away with an even bigger message.

I was mesmerized by the beautiful cinematography, fashion wardrobe, the Louisiana bayou feel and the beautiful shades of black women throughout the video.  I realized at that moment I was going to witnessing a women hurt and how she got over that hurt through the anger, pain, her own betrail (my feelings of what I saw not what was said) and getting back to her roots to find solace.
I was witnessing pain.  I was witnessing truth.

"Lemonade" is about what all of our grandmothers said to us...."When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!!!"Take what has happen to you that is bad and make it into something good.

I'm not a music blogger but I am a women.  This hour plus long video and 13 track record is something women for generations will play when pain and hurt has entered into their  lives and need music to handle it.

"Lemonade" will be the album she is most remembered for.  THIS IS HER THRILLER!!!!
 
Am I a fan of Beyoncé now?  I cant say....but I will say this, when I see great work I will not deny it. 

Congrats to Beyoncé  and  Jay-Z!!!! Thank you for sharing something so personal.

If you haven't seen the video click here to subscribe to Tidal and start streaming it.

All opinons are from NEC STYLE
Photos via Tidal