1920'S LADY SINGS THE BLUES

Let me first say Happy Hollow's Eve stylistas!!! Its so funny that I'm able to share this shoot with you guys on Halloween.  You can take this as a costume shoot but for me it was much more than that. 

I recently had the opportunity to collaborate with a fellow stylist and a new photographer. This was my first time collaborating with a stylist with me as the model.  The stylist and I threw around a few idea and came up with a 1920's theme.  I was excited about the theme and called on designer GATSBYLADY for a dress.  I never had anyone coordinate a photoshoot for me.  Being a stylist I have always coordinated other or my own shoots. The control freak in me was a bit hesitant but you have to try new things right?


What I got was nothing I suspected....

First lets talk about this dress!!! I cant say express how amazing I felt in this dress.  Well constructed well made ad fit me right in all the right places.  The moment I put the dress on everyone was saying how great it looks. 

GATSBYLADIES creation was to die for.  I could dance and move all night in the dress.  Red isn't really my color of choice but it worked well with everything.  The flapper was also from designer and a shall can also be purchased for my stylistas that want arm cover!!!

When I received the photos back I was very impressed.  Lighting, color, the play with shadows and props.  They really made everything come together.  Our mission was to show that women of all sizes can be beautiful. we have to push to show that women of all sizes can style and rock a shoot.  I'm so impressed by what we have come together to make.  This shoot shows it can be done!!!!

You guys know I do a outfit breakdown right about now but I'm going to change it up a bit.  Instead of a outfit breakdown, I'm just breakdown the people who made this photo shoot possible. 

Dress & Flapper: Gatsbylady

Makeup: Jay Manuel Beauty Products

Stylist: Mr. Gumby

Assistant: Tan Bee

Photographer: Powardbysoul

CIRCLE OF SISTERS: ASHLEY STEWARTS HOLIDAY LINE PRESENTATION

At NYC Circle of Sister event I was able to see Ashley Stewart Holiday 2016 lineup.

The collection was filled with everything you need for the Christmas Holiday.  Red sequins, fur trim, gold bomber jacket and sexy boots!!!

Below are some photo of the collection.  So get your money ready ladies.  Your going to love what AS has in store for you this Christmas!!!

Ashley celebrated there 25th Birthday. Happy Birthday!!!

photos by: Matey Ghoslow (photomgp)

JIBRI PLUS SIZE BRIDAL COLLECTION

If you've been following me then you know that I love JIBRI.

This past week I got a chance to see the new bridal line. 

Its been hard to keep this a secret because I LOVE this designer so much and it was well worth the wait. 

First to show you some pics of bloggers/influencers who were in attendance. 

Below is a message that sums up the collection from Jasmine the designer behind JIBRI

"I wanted to create some pieces for the brides I encounter the most....the unconventional bride. These pieces work for brides everywhere from destination weddings,  second-time brides, Brides over 30,  courthouse weddings, etc. These are pieces for the unconventional bride with an unconventional way of wanting to represent herself fashion wise"

Prices range from $550 - $2500. Pieces will be available online Wednesday June 22nd.
If you would like to see more from JIBRI click here

STYLE EYE ON: HONEYSUCKLE CLOTHING

About a month ago, while in District of Curves Fashion Week,  I saw Honey Suckle Atelier and fell in love with her designs.  I wanted to highlight the designer, Jasmine Swartz, because not only do I have my stylist eye on her but I can see her designs changing the plus size fashion industry.
Below is my interview and photos of her collection

Enjoy...

NEC: What made you want to become a designer?

 Jasmine:       I started designing when I was very young because I was plus sized and lacking clothing options. Through-out the years of hearing complaints from my fellow plus sized friends about straight sizing clothing brands, as well as having my own dilemmas, I felt I had a insider advantage of what plus size women wanted & I needed to do something with that information.

NEC: When did you start Honey Suckle?

Jasmine:        I started in 2015, right after college graduation. I had been brewing up some ideas even before graduation because I knew I did not want to design under someone else's label & felt I always had great designs/shaped for the plus sized body.

NEC: How How would you describe your line?

Jasmine:    My brand is an accumulation of vintage silhouettes with modern day flare.
I always admired fashions from the late 1940's to the early 60's, and it shows through my designs. These silhouettes are extremely flattering on almost any body type and size & it can be dressed up or down depending on the personal styling.

NEC: The Plus size fashion industry is starting to be flooded with new designers.  How does Honey Suckle improve  the plus size industry?
 Jasmine:  I feel my brand improves the plus size movement because it acknowledges the fact that every body is equal but not the same. Many big plus size brands today still fail to realize this.  They offer very little options to the plus size bodies that are not tall & hour-glassed shaped. I want to make my clothing as customize-able as possible by offering options to fit the pear shaped, busty-ier queens, tall, or short.  We offer online tailoring the garment without coming in to be measured.

NEC:  I love the garments from DC Curves.  What was your inspiration for this season?

Jasmine:      This season's inspiration was the Egyptian Queen, Cleopatra & the beautiful colors found along the Nile River. I designed an 11-piece ready-to-wear resort collection for plus sizes, which was debuted at the District of Curves Fashion Showcase back on April 23rd. I wanted to give women who needed clothing for their Spring trips or Summer get-a-ways a fun and wearable selection that would not break the bank. So the pieces are very simplistic in fabrication and construction, but the fine detailing and visual interest makes the outfits stand out & look fabulous.

Since starting, Honeysuckle has been showcased in Pink the Runway 2015(Oct. 2015) & District of Curves (April 2016)

NEC Stylistas get a 30% off discount on purchase. Go to www.honeysuckleclothing.com Use discount code "dcuves16"

Visit Honey Suckle @

Instagram: @honeysuckle_atelier

Shop: honeysuckleclothing.com

FB: Honeysuckle Atelier

photos courtesy and property of Mickey Armstrong 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