Truth be told, this is my first Full Figured Fashion Week. I was half expecting to be ignored and lost in a crowd of fabulousness. This did not happen. Instead, minutes after I walked into the building for the exclusive media only event in midtown, I spotted Madeline Jones, the Editor-in-Chief of Plus Model Magazine. Funny enough, we were both wearing matching green and blue (can you say “twinning”?)
The media event was a great experience. Madeline and I were both escorted around a beautiful space where we got the opportunity to chat and take selfies with designers and influential people in the fashion space who are showcasing this week. I met and spoke with some incredible people like Hal Rubenstein, Hannah Olson of Hannah Caroline Couture, Sharon Tharp of XPANDASOX, Tia Lyn who designs gorgeous plus size lingerie, and designer Marla Wynne Ginsburg.
Hal Rubenstein, Madeline Jones, and Me
XPANDASOX
Me, Yolanda Williams, Madeline Jones, Antoinette Cheek
After the media event, I found myself sitting with a Who’s Who of the plus size industry at a delicious Cuban Restaurant downtown (#Delicious #BestIdeaEver). At the table were Madeline Jones, Marie Denee of The Curvy Fashionista, Yolanda Williams of Just Curves, Antoinette Cheek of The Curvy Corp Girl, and Suzanne L. Ujaque of SU-Style. There’s nothing quite like some inspiring fashion, cocktails, arroz con carabonas, and great conversation with amazing people to get a Tuesday going.
Post-lunch, I headed to the afternoon Small Business Panel with Marie and Suzanne. The panel was extremely useful for a budding entrepreneur. I’m pretty sure between the audience and panelists, every conceivable topic was covered ranging from SEO to branding.
Me and Marie #bloggerlove
As much as I enjoyed the events, what made the experience up to that point truly valuable were the connections I made. For the rest of the day, I hung out with Marie – someone whom I admire and who inspires me in this blogging pursuit. Marie is such an open and genuine person; beautiful inside and out. It felt like hanging out with a close friend, getting ready together to go out. She also gave me such good advice on marketing and blogging and I felt blessed to get a sneak peek into the brain of the queen of social media #bloggerlove.
The last event of the day was the Devoe Magazine Launch party at Katra Lounge. The party was already bumping when Marie and I arrived, and to my delight, dancehall was the music of choice for the night. Throughout the evening, I met some more bloggers including Sarah of Curvily and the one and only Sabrina Sevance of Big Women: Big Love.
Yolanda Williams left, Sabrina Servance (second to right), Nikki Carter
Based on my day, I can confirm that Full Figured Fashion Week NYC truly is the Grammy’s of the Plus Size Fashion world and this girl feels genuinely blessed to be a part of this event. I’m looking forward to attending more events on Friday and Saturday, and will provide updates next week!
Now, I wouldn’t be a great stylist if I didn’t include some looks in this post. Please check out these dresses I like, inspired by my first day at Full Figured Fashion Week
Click on Each Image to Purchase
$89.99 / available up to size 32
$69.90 / available up to size 3x and 5x in blue
$29.99 / available up to size 3x
$29.99 / available up to size 3x