THE CURVY CON: DIA & CO FASHION SHOW

Plus-size beauties ruled the runway at theCURVYCon’s first-ever fashion show, a stylish celebration of body diversity. TheCURVYCon’s, body-positive convention was conceived by plus-size bloggers Chastity Garner and Cece Olisa, had its first fashion show in the three years since its start. The fashion show, hosted by plus-size style subscription service Dia & Co, featured designs by Rachel Roy, Rebel Wilson, Molly & Isadora, Nanette Lepore, and Girl With Curves, just to name a few.

 

Over 20 model including, Liza Golden, Precious Lee, and Marquita Pring hit the catwalk alongside WWE wrestler Nia Jax, and curvy YouTube vlogger Loey Lane.

This was my first plus size show of the season and I'm very happy to say it wasn't my last. The fashion on the runway was good and stylish but I wanted more.  Truthfully, I am use to more fashion forward clothing during fashion week but I do realize the purpose of this show was to highlight fashion designs that women would by able to purchase right now.   With that in mind, and the idea that their was a time that plus size fashion was not even available during fashion week, the show was great.

I thought the models did a very good job and was happy to see women of all different sizes, shape and ethnicity.

The Curvy Con was a two-day event September 8th to 9th in New York City was a bonanza of style, group workouts, and body-positive dialogue aimed to promote inclusivity in the fashion industry. If you missed it you can read up (and maybe see some photos) on yahoo style. Click Here

To shop these collection you have to sign up with Dia and they will send you pieces from the collection.  sign up for Dia & Co HERE

TOP TRENDS IN PLUS COATS 2016

The temperature is falling fast and I have been shopping for a new coat.  there are some fantastic trending winter coats out there.  so much, I'm having a hard time choosing one!!! my research wont be in vain.  I decided to share what my stylistas trends in plus size coats

Enjoy!!!

TREND: SHEARLING

Lane Bryant Sweater Coat

I like this coat for days that are not too cold and I want to show off my outfit. 

TREND: GRAPHIC FUR

Lane Bryant

TREND: SPRING-HAPPY SHADES

both from Eloquii

I love wearing color in the winter.  if you do too, then this is the trend for you. 

TREND: OVERSIZED & Drama

Full Beauty

Lane Bryant

I'm more partial to this Trend for 2016.  Maybe its because I think it will be a colder winter but I also love the exaggeration of a long swinging coat.  i can wear it open, on the shoulder or close.  Most I see are in black but but a few designer carry some in color. 

TREND: crazy capes

Both from Eloquii

McCarthy Seven7 Collection

Trend: Cold weather Accessories

Hot hats, cool color gloves, wide printed scarfs.  You name it...its out there.  The key is this trend is to not over do it. I put everything on then take one thing off.

OOTD: ASHLEY N. TIPTON OUTFIT @ CIRCLE OF SISTERS

I attended the fashion show at Circle of Sisters Expo in NYC this past weekend. 

Circle of Sisters is a event catering to black business women.  Its a place to network, shop and discover new businesses.  This year I attended the fashion show sponsored by Ashley Stewart. 

Circle of Sister fashion show was entertaining.  I got to see some great  female designers from NYC show their designing talents. There were so many designers and so many beautiful clothing that I cant share all but here are a few pieces I really enjoyed.

BLACK LIVES MATTER

COSTUMES INSPIRED BY "THE WIZ"

 The highlight of the show was watching R&B singer Joe hit the sage as models walked in these amazing knitted outfits. 

Back to my outfit....

The weather is holding up so I decided to wear my Ashley N. Tipton skirt and fly away crop top to the event. I paired with an ombre belt and rocker clutch.  Because this is an expo I wanted to walk about and meet some of the vendors.  We can't do that comfortable in heels so opted for boots which a great idea.

All in all I had a great time.  Thank you to Ashley Stewart for inviting me.

Ashley showcase the Holiday line....one word...sexy!!!! But that's a whole other post coming soon.

OUTFIT BREAKDOWN

Crop Top & Skirt : Ashley N. Tipton

Belt: Lane Bryant

Boots & Tights: Torrid

Bag & Jewelry: Thrift store find

photos by: Matey Ghaslow Photography

OOTD: DATE NIGHT DRESS

Friday is about the only time I 'm able to get out for some romantic bit of fun.  Yes I am single and yes I do date so I make it a point to have something in my closet I can wear that is not complicated but sexy for pop up dates. 

Being sexy and comfortable is hard right?  Wrong!!!!
The time that I felt most sexy is when I felt the most comfortable. This dress is short for my everyday wear but is just right for being sexy.  The fabric is a stretch cotton like material so it doesn't feel over dresses like some other dresses.  Patterns are my favorite thing in fashion so this makes me very happy with the multi square effect. ON TOP OF EVERYTHING IT HAS POCKETS!!!  

For hoping in or out of my UBER or short walking distances, this dress is killer. I love the amount of leg I am showing for a date night in this dress.   I've never let me size make me feel like I couldn't wear patters (as most other advise against) This dress keeps it fashionable and the obi tie belt defines my shape giving me a shapely look.

Remember....

When you feel sexy you are sexy 

 OUTFIT DETAILS

Dress: LuLa Roe

Belt: Lane Bryant

Shoes: Ashley Stewart

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