FULL FIGURED FASHION WEEK 2018: WHITE CRUISE & MY #1 OUTFITS

Full Figured Fashion week is in its 10th year and with that came the most sought after event of the week, the All White Cruise upon The Hornblower.  Since its inception 8 years ago this event has grown in size and in the message sent to the fashion world. 
The age old unwritten rule that if your plus size you cant wear white has been around for as long as I can remember.  The construct of this rule for the plus size women has been loosen and I like to believe this event had something to do with it.  Every year, I see women show up and show out.  not only in fashion but in self love, personality, boldness and perfection in every outfit executed.  This year was no different.
Couple with all white, I saw a sea (no pun intended) of fashion and trends that was right on point with trends of 2018.  Trend such as lace and off the shoulder dresses were represented all over the ship.  But, the best things on the ship be far was the fun, friendship and love participants showed each other on the momentous 10 year celebration.

Take a look at some of the fashion and fun captured on this year boat ride. 

                 

Sponsor Ashley Stewart runway show highlighted their latest fashion collection of all white. 

 

The Brawn models from Bae Walk also had a chance to show their model skills on the ship as well. 

The party never stop through the night!!!

Such an amazing night and one that wont be forgotten.  Thanks to DeVoe Events and Ashley Stewart for hosting another years amazing event.  As I do every year, here is my favorite outfit from this years all white boat ride. 

 Sandra Caped Romper and Vanessa Body Con Lace Dress

Congratulation to you ladies.  

You both showed that women of all sizes can wear all white and make it look classy and sexy!!!!

Photo credit to www.xltribe.com,

LA PECOSA PRECIOSA and Vanessa Mays-Hinds

STYLE EYE ON PLUS MALE MODEL BENJAMIN MONTANEZ

Hello Stylistas!!!!
Taking a bit of a break to prep fore events later this year but I wanted to highlight a few people this week that I following and who I think you should follow as well. 
Say hello to Benjamin!!! He is an emerging male models and all around nice guy.    Now you guys know how much I stand for the plus male models so when I got the opportunity to ask him a few questions I felt I had to share him with you all. 

Here he is...

NEC: Tell me a bit about yourself.  Where you’re from? What you do for work  and or for fun.   

BM:  Lets see. What to say about me...Well I am originally from a small town in California  called Lemoore, but I am currently living in Highlands Ranch Colorado where I work  as an EMT in a downtown Hospital in the Emergency Room. I’ve been in the medical  field for over 13 years now, it’s not always the easiest job but I love it.  As for a social life I am a Single guy, no wife, no girlfriend and no kids so really I  don’t have much of a social life. I do enjoy going to the movies and of course the  gym. I’m super excited about it being Halloween though, it means all the haunted  houses will be opening...so if anyone in the Denver area is trying to go let me  know...haha  

NEC: Love how you use my interview to find your Halloween date....Clever you are!!! So to help with that how would you describe yourself?

  BM:Way too laid back…I’m completely go with the flow, I never really worry too much about time and  schedules...Unless I have to be at work. 

NEC:  What was your personal style? What is  your favorite clothing item?     

BM:  HAHA...My style? I really just wear what I feel comfortable  in. I will wear a button down shirt and a bowties one day and the next day I feel just  as amazing in a pair of holey jeans and a hoodie. I do however stay mainly with  darker colors if that counts.    My favorite article of clothing at the moment is a pair of Flex jeans from Brooklyn  Laundry I got from Maximus Trax. I actually have never had a more comfortable pair  of jeans.

NEC: Any brands you have worked with in the past?  

Any brands you would love to  work with?   

BM:  I am currently working with Large Lad Clothing ​ and ​Maximus Box  both of which have amazing clothing and selection for the plus size men. 

  Brands I would love to work with would be first and foremost Dr. Martens. I wear  Dr. Martens quite often and I absolutely love the comfort and style of them. After  that it would be Adidas, Dockers, Levi, South Pole and Marc Ecko to name a few. 

NEC: Why become a model?    How will Bengamin "the model" help improve the plus size community?

BM: I have spent most my life battling with my weight, I was bullied in school and  verbally abused over it during my previous marriage. I know that there are plenty of  people in the same situation and I know that it’s hard to stay positive

through it all. This is why I want to do it.  I want to be the one to show a  generation of plus size men,and women, that their size doesn’t define the. That  beauty is not a number on a scale.   

I would like to feel that modeling as a plus size man is helping to show others  that looking good can be done at any size. I would also hope that maybe by modeling  the overall outlook of plus size models will change for the better. 

NEC: How do you want to be remembered for?  What is your motto in life? 

BM: Why? Am I dying?  Well if I am, I would like to be remembered as someone that made a difference. I  want to be known as one of the many amazing people that pushed for body  positivity and helped changed the idea that you don’t have to be a size 32 to be  attractive   

NEC: What are some organizations, charities or social issues you work with or deal  with?  Why are these close to your heart?  

BM: I help with an event every year called the 9health fair. It helps people in the Denver  Metro area get affordable health screening and basic blood work.   I do it because I know what it’s like to have thousands of dollars worth of medical  bills you can’t pay. So if I can help someone get the medic care they need for a cost  they can afford then way wouldn’t I.    I am also putting on the first annual “Onesies on Broadway” event in October.  Basically it’s just going to be an annual event that we get people all together at a  local bar to raise a little money for a local charity as we all wear our best onesie  pajamas. This year we will be raising money for “ONE Colorado” an organization  that helps LGBT youth. 

1,000 thanks to Benjamin for giving me the opportunity to get to know him a bit more. 

If you want to see more for him follow him on FB or Instagram @ BenjaminMontanez

Now its your turn!!!! If you would like to be featured on NEC STYLE email me with photos and a bit about yourself or leave comments below

NYFW MENSWEAR: CARLOS COMPOS SS17

 “Sabor Cubano.”

Carlos Campos is well known for creating collections that are colorful and all over patterned suits.  During NYFW Campos spring collection is nothing like he has done before.  With nomadic colors and wide bands hanging from the garments, the collection was architectural and mute.

 A lot of the collection was relaxed and effortless.  With wide leg pants, oversize jackets,  jumpers and loose fitting shorts, you cold see that Compos had a new direction.  Almost uniform like.   The white, brown, cream, black and navy was broken up by a two types of pattern.  One was stripe and the other a green and blue square/stripe pattern shown towards the end of the collection.  

Some of my favorite looks...

Accessories was simple and not overt powering.  Chucks, and rolled ascots on a few of the models gave you a feeling of Cuban tobacco farmer which was what Carlos was going for. 

I know you guys are going to think the only shows I went to had a Cuban feel but this just was the growing trend for menswear.

Over all the collection was different from Compos.  Compos  BASIC colors seems to be cleaning his palette.   With all the complication and drama of 2016 maybe this is exactly what men need and want.  Compos designs have been known to push the fashion button forward.  Maybe that fashion button is saying lets embrace a culture that was once labeled wrong and give into simplicity.  In a time of vigorous individuality maybe the man of 2017 just wants a simple wardrobe.  A blank pallet so his worlds are seen more than his clothing.  But hey...this is just fashion right!!!

NYFW MENSWEAR: JOSEPH ABBOUD SS17

 “I know who I am and this collection is very consistent with my philosophy of clothes.”-Joseph Abboud

Open up NYFW Menwear second day was acclaimed fashion designer and one of N.E.C. Style favorite male designer, Joseph Abboud.  When your show starts at 9am you open with a great atmosphere and great food.  Breakfast was served, which is unheard of at fashion shows.  The imitate tables of 4-6 celebrities, bloggers, stylist and buyers was a great touch to the beigning of the day.  "We want it to be civilized" Abboud said.

While waited for the show to start you couldn't help but notice the setting of the runway.  Linen rugs, green trees and linen drapes softened  the brick and steak found throughout the venue.  Looking around you could tell the show was going to be a mix of soft fabric and hard lines.

Although the setting was different from the traditional fashion show, the collection was classic Abboud.  Structured but in no way boring.



The suits were  cut slim to the body but the leg of the pants was slightly flair.  Abboud said he wanted to keep with the spring colors of white, ivory and khaki but giving us a hint of Cuban "Ernest Hemingway Voyager".  You can see his Havanna influence in the lapel pins, shoes, and ivory oversize hats.

Overall the collection made me excited for Menswear Spring.  I've always loved the classic cut to Abboud but was very happy to see the softer fabrics and brighter neutral colors.  Kicking off menswear week with this collection has warmed my pallet for more shows to come.