Full Beauty & Style- Full Figured Fashion Week & The Curvycon

 

This week I had the pleasure of being in the same space as some of the innovator’s, creators, and leaders of the #Full Beauty / Curve movement. I started my week off with the Official Welcome Party Luau given by Ms. Gwen Devoe creator of Full Figured Fashion Week.
There I met the likes of Ms. Sharon Quinn of “Model Behavior” she was the coach for #FFFWeek2015 hosted by “#FitforMe” Fruit of the Loom.
I live in central Jersey and I usually drive to NYC, but this week I decided that it would be more economical for me to just take public transportation, and plus it was raining and I hate driving in the rain. I do not do the Subway, but to get to this event in Midtown I had to go underground! I was very proud of myself, I took the New York bus to the Port Authority ( I’m not going to mention that the highway was flooded and the driver kept going as if it was nothing, oh I just mentioned it), I followed the signage to the subway and hopped the E train and in 5 stops I was there!

“Sometimes Our Destiny Is Closer Than We Think”.

The party was amazing all of the guests were beautiful and the Food was off the chain! A Fat Girl party with great food great music and lots of dancing! How could this not be the grandest party ever! Although I was a newbie, to say all the models and staff were very welcoming and accommodating would be an understatement. It was a great event! I also met some of my favorite fashion Bloggers such as #Mariedenee of The Curvy Fashionista, Farah from #Estrellas Fashion Report, I had the pleasure of meeting some of the FullBeauty.com team ( they were formerly one stop plus) and a host of other inspiring and enlightening people. Although their exposure to me was quick I pray it was lasting !

If you are going to a Luau this summer or just want to sport the trend here are some inspiring looks:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 2 for me was the #FFFWEEKBUSINESSPANEL meeting. I almost skipped this event because my youngest son was graduating to middle school and my second oldest was graduation from High School on Wednesday and Thursday and I needed to get things together for them, but as I prayed and contemplated my choices, my spirit spoke to me and told me I needed to be in the mist of this and it would be good for me.

This was a rather intimate (about 25 people) setting in a beautiful Midtown space with a panel of some of today’s sharpest and brightest innovators. They gave tips and insight on ways to effectively navigate today’s business climate. We discussed everything from Social Media Marketing and strategy  building, to trademarking and licensing, branding, and even the usefulness of addressing negative comments and how to use it as a tool to promote positive responses to negativity.

Not only was the #businesspanel on point but the attendees were a wealth of invaluable information. Having so many different people from so many different levels of success all with the same goal to advance and help others was so powerful!

Day 3 was the White Party: # CURVESATSEA although I had one of the coveted tickets, I had to forgo this one. know, I know, I was not happy at all. I was watching all the beauties from the comfort of my bed! Thank God for #socialmedia I was able to still feel the energy and live vicariously through my fellow #curvygirls . My little one graduated that day and my bigger son was graduating the next day, so for the better peace in my heart, head and my boys I sat this one out. But there will always be next year!

For some White Party inspiration – Yes Curvy Girls wear white! :

 

 

 

As my real life called me back to work and family for the next 2 days, again I had to depend on the vision and sharing of my fellow Full Body Beauty Bloggers. I was checking the hashtags and clicking the links to see all that I could.

Here are some of my favorite looks shared by others:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And as they say “The Icing on the Cake” (yes a food reference) on Saturday I had the pleasure of attending #THECURVYCON!

 

This was the first time I have ever had been to such an event. For my fellow nerds we go to all kinds of conferences. So the whole idea was not foreign, but to actually have a full conference filled with brands, bloggers, vendors, celebrities, and members of the plus sized community all gathered for the purpose of expanding celebrating and uplifting Full Figured Beauty & Style was amazing! The topics ranged from looking good at any size, dating, healthy curves, and over all body acceptance. The Key note speaker was none other than the Cute and Curvy Amber Riley.She talked about how she didn’t know she was “fat” until she started acting. She said she would kill the audition and then not get the job. It took her managers to tell her that the powers that be felt she was too heavy for the roll. Now I’m short and she couldn’t be any taller than 5’ and she’s a size 8. So in real life she is very tiny, but in Hollywood not so much. She said something that so touched my heart. She quoted scripture “We are fearfully and wonderfully made” then she added “When you know God nothing can stop you”. I needed that #msamberpriley.
Being fashionable or being fat is not new to me. Being a blogger is, at #thecurvycon I was able to meet some of my peers. I’d say the most impressionable to me were Grown and Curvy , and Ciaa of My Curves and CuI’s. They both took time to talk to me and give me some encouragement and direction. To me that is the sign of a great blogger.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My intention as a blogger is to encourage and enlighten and I can see they are like me in this pursuit. I’ve  always been comfortable with myself at every size up and down, but I never thought I could share the same space with those who others see as leading authority on fashion and beauty. It was a real joy to experience all of this. I am so grateful to God for all that He has done for me! The seeds He plants in my heart never cease to amaze me. I know this post is about my week at #FFFWEEK experienceing the #Fullbeautystyle of some beautiful ladies, but we can’t leave God out. He makes it all happen!

Please follow us in Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook. We welcome your comments!
With Love See Ya Phatty!