Vydurya Lokesh, Celebrity MUA, Body Positive Influencer and Muse

December 8, 2018December 8, 2018 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

I met the amazing and wondrous Vydurya Lokesh at the Priscilla Ono Masterclass in NYC this past summer. I was the oldest woman there and realized quickly I was way out of my league in the course. The silver lining, outside of learning that makeup application is an art, is meeting Vy. Her aura is gentle, kind and she glows. I mean her skin glows! She reminded me of Lupita Nyongo, who also has luminescent skin and happens to be the direct descendant of Eve. I wouldn’t be surprised if Vydurya has DNA from a Goddess of Light. It’s who she is and I hope I captured it in this collection of photos.

One of the evenings after class, I invited her to have dinner and we ended up at Eataly near the World Trade Center, after visiting MAC, of course. At dinner, she went on to tell me about her childhood and the tribulations she experienced at such an early age. I realized that her past made her clueless on her beauty. She was just happy to be alive and be a positive influence to everyone she meets. The entire dinner, I kept thinking what a classic beauty she is and how I would love the opportunity to photograph her. She was shocked and moved when I finally asked her.

Her last night in the states she spent with me in Maryland and we shot until late evening. I am happy to share these with you and hope you can see the light that reflects from Vydurya that I noticed from the moment we met.

As she likes to say, “I am destiny’s child. “, not the singing group, but a child of faith that walks in light.

Please make sure to follow her on Instagram @VyduryaLokesh and Facebook @Artistry by Vydurya Lokesh.

Photos and article by Jovanna Reyes:

Follow Instagram@jovannareyesphotography and @curvysta

Walk This Way with Jeannie Ferguson

March 13, 2018 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

Plus model extraordinaire, Jeannie Ferguson, hosted her respected, Walk This Way workshop in DC this weekend. The always effervescent and lovingly spirited model, is known for her amazing and one of a kind walk. She’s opened the runways of fashion productions nationally. The show cannot start without Ms. Ferguson taking the first step on the catwalk. Her experience as a fit model, print model, her unforgettable walk and her personality are what keep her workshops booked, up and down the Eastern corridor. This weekend her workshop focused on runway walks and how to become a consistently booked model. Her honest feedback will help those that are ready to take the next step to professional modeling. If you are in the North Carolina area, catch Ms. Ferguson at The Power Plus Weekend March 23-25th and at the Stories of Empowerment Brunch in NYC on March 31st. Follow Jeannie Ferguson on Instagram @plusmodjeannief and shop her designs at @shop_bgu

Generation Beauty by Ipsy

October 10, 2017October 10, 2017 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

Influencers, beauty bloggers, makeup companies, top makeup artists and excited fans were the key participants in Generation Beauty by Ipsy. Gen Beauty 2017 was the largest celebration of beauty ever. Screams would bellow across the floor signaling the arrival of a top celebrity blogger or for a vendor throwing goodies into crowded booths. Young women were bellowing across the velvet rope to Mario Dedivanovic during his Beauty Lab Workshop or couldn’t wait to meet and greet @thefashionfreakk Melly Sanchez.

MELLY SANCHEZ @THEFASHIONFREAKK

Every makeup company known to man seemed to be there. Mac cosmetics had a colorful and vibrant booth ala rainbow bright. Absolute New York had a spinning wheel where every participant was a winner. One of the more busier booths was Make Up Forever with about ten makeup artists introducing new products to the willing masses. Spankie Valentine kept the crowd pumped throughout the day as the host for NY Generation Beauty.

ABSOLUTE NEW YORK

SPANKIE VALENTINE @SPANKIEVALENTINE

MAKE UP FOREVER BOOTH

The sweetest moment of the weekend was seeing @kandeejohnson, Youtube beauty blogger Kandee Johnson, immediately giving her full undivided attention to a young disabled teen. Ms. Johnson was the guest influencer for Makeup Forever. She was genuine in her approach and the teen appreciated every moment. The look she gave her idol priceless.

@NikkiTutorials was another guest influencer giving one on one photo sessions with her fans. The crowd was hyped and ready to see their favorite beauty blogger. Nikki, a professional makeup artist and YouTube star, arrived to screams and shrills from her adoring fans and followers. The lovely Jade Seba of Rio de Janeiro, hugged and kissed her adoring followers in the NYX makeup booth(photos below).

NYX BOOTH WITH JADE SEBA

FACES OF GENERATION BEAUTY BY IPSY

Insta @Vickysmithartistry

Insta@stehpvnueva

Insta@adrianabarry

Insta@chelliscurls

Merry/MUA Insta@merryhada.littlelamb

Pam Insta@prettybeautybox

insta@dottie_g_

Doaa Dahoud, Makeup and Brow Artist from Dearborn, Michigan Follow her on Insta @doaadahoud

FashionEASTa, Harbor East’s 6th annual style event and fashion show

June 21, 2017June 21, 2017 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

The iconic waterfront neighborhood, Harbor East, was the fashion destination in Baltimore. FashionEASTa, the annual fashion event held in the center of the shopping district, showcased Spring/Summer collections of participating Harbor East retailers. Catherine Pugh, the Mayor of the City of Baltimore introduced Free People, Amaryllis, lululemon athletica, Blanca Flor Silver Jewelry, Anthropologie, Allen Edmonds, White House Black Market, Under Armour Brand House, South Moon Under, Handbags in the City, Christopher Schafer Clothier and Sassanova. DJ Jon Boesche of MIX 106.5 had everyone feeling the beats throughout the event. Harbor East is the perfect destination for your weekend fashion excursion with top retailers and the best of places to nosh during shopping intervals. BIN 604 Wine Sellers, Gordon biersch, The James Joyce Iris Pub and Restaurant, Lebanese Taverna and The Oceanaire are just a few of the top notch restaurant for cocktails and edibles.

If you have the time, take a roundtrip ride on a Baltimore Water Taxi or hop on the Charm City Circulator for a free bus ride around the Waterfront. Walk along the Waterfront Promenade after shopping and dining to enjoy the Waterfront views.

Hair for the fashion show was provide by About Faces Day Spa & Salon, DK Salon & Spa and Avara’s Academy. Makeup was provided by MAC Cosmetics. Styling provided by Stephanie Bradshaw.

Dress For Success Baltimore collected donations at their booth during FashionEASTa. A portion of the VIP tickets sold was donated to the non-profit organization by Harbor East.

#ModelSpotlight Actress and Model, Anaya Toppin

May 18, 2017 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

Anaya Toppin, of Palmdale, California(a desert suburb in the outskirts of L.A.) is an actress and model featured in several short films and plays. She’s played Maggie in The Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Lois from A Dance on Widows Row, Linda from The Death of a Salesman. She also is a lifestyle model and looks forward to continued work in the fashion industry.

IVORY JACKSON APRIL SHARI LUCIVORY WWW.LUCIVORY.COM 2017-3

IVORY JACKSON APRIL SHARI LUCIVORY WWW.LUCIVORY.COM 2017

PHOTOGRAPHY: IVORY JACKSON WWW.LUCIVORY.COM @lucivoryphotography

MUA: ALFENA WILLIAMS @AW_MUA

STYLIST: APRIL SHARI @APRILSHARI

MODEL: ANAYA TOPPIN @ANAYADIVINE

BLONDE IN THE DISTRICT, Dani Sauter in Gatsbylady London/UK

May 7, 2017 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

THIS PAST WEEKEND, WE HAD THE PLEASURE OF PHOTOGRAPHING THE ONE AND ONLY, “BLONDE IN THE DISTRICT” OF THE DMV AREA. WE MET DANI SAUTER AT THE ELOQUII GRAND OPENING EARLIER THIS YEAR. AS SOON AS WE SAW HER WE KNEW SHE HAD TO GRACE THE PAGES OF CURVYSTA. HER SIGNATURE PLATINUM BLONDE HAIR AND RED LIPS STAND OUT IN THE CROWD WHEREVER SHE GOES.

MS. SAUTER BEGAN BLOGGING TWO YEARS AGO, AFTER LEAVING A JOB AND NEEDING INSPIRATION. SHE TURNED TO THE ONE LOVE SHE HAD SINCE CHILDHOOD, FASHION AND BLONDE IN THE DISTRICT WAS BORN. HER BLOG REPRESENTS EVERYTHING SHE LOVES AND HER LIFESTYLE. MAKEUP, HAIR AND TRAVEL DIARIES ARE ONLY JUST A FEW THINGS SHE’S SHARED WITH HER READERS. HAPPILY MARRIED, DANI LOVES HER CAT, CHLOE AND HATES CHIPPED NAIL POLISH! HER PASSION OUTSIDE OF THOSE MENTIONED PRIOR ARE THE ROARING 20’S AND ANYTHING GATSBY, SO IT WAS KISMET TO BRING THE BLOGGER AND THE BRAND, GATSBYLADY LONDON, TOGETHER.

GATSBYLADY LONDON NEW SPRING PIECES ARE REPRESENTED ALONG WITH PERMANENT DESIGNS YOU WILL CONSISTENTLY FIND ON THE WEBSITE. THE NEW ITEM THAT TOOK DANI’S BREATH AWAY WAS THE RHINESTONE AND GEM ENCRUSTED NUDE SHOES HANDMADE EXCLUSIVELY FOR GATSBYLADY LONDON. OUR FAVORITE IS THE BLUSH RHINESTONE BEADED TOP PERFECT FOR SUMMER EVENINGS OR PAIRED WITH JEANS AND HEELS FOR A HIGH END CASUAL LOOK.

VISIT WWW.BLONDEINTHEDISTRICT.COM TO SEE WHAT MS. DANI SAUTER IS UP TO NEXT AND MAKE SURE TO ATTEND HER BUBBLES AND BLOGGERS EVENTS. A MONTHLY MEETUP GROUP SHE CREATED TO BRING LIKE MINDED, PROFESSIONAL AND FASHION LOVING WOMEN TOGETHER.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND CREATIVE DIRECTION: JOVANNA REYES

HAIR: ILLUSIONS OF GEORGETOWN;

@JOSHLEDIDMYHAIR-STYLING AND @ILLWILLHAIR-COLOR

MAKEUP: FN2S ARTISTRY

SHOES AND CLOTHING: GATSBYLADY LONDON

CIGAR HANDBAG AND JEWELRY: MODEL AND STYLIST’S OWN

DANICURVYSTA11RGB — BLOSSOM VINTAGE INSPIRED FLARE SLEEVE TOP IN BLUSH

DANICURVYSTA5RGB — DOLORES VINTAGE INSPIRED MAXI LENGTH DRESS

DANICURVYSTA9RGB — HOLLYWOOD INSPIRED FLAPPER FRINGE DRESS

DANICURVYSTA7RGB — GLAM VINTAGE INSPIRED FLAPPER DRESS AVAILABLE AT WWW.GATSBYLADY.COM

DANICURVYSTA18SEPIA — ELIZABETH VINTAGE INSPIRED WEDDING DRESS

DANICURVYSTA17RGB — VINTAGE INSPIRED WEDDING DRESS AND BOLERO IN WHITE

DANICURVYSTA14RGB — BETTY VINTAGE INSPIRED BEAD FRINGE DRESS

#WomanCrushWednesday with April Shari

March 28, 2017 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

Curvysta’s #WomanCrushWednesday is April Shari from the Tristate area. April Shari is a Plus model, photographer, mother, wife and social worker. A Bicoastal Management model, April can be seen on the runways of PNO, Ashley Stewart and more. Presently pursuing her Masters degree, she never stops learning to enrich her mind, body and soul. As a social worker, April dedicates her work to helping those in need of assistance and in crisis. Veterans with post traumatic stress disorders are closest to her heart, as a former veteran herself. She is the example of beauty on the inside and out. #WomanCrushWednesdays

“The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a Woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she knows.”
― Audrey Hepburn

Follow April Shari @AprilShari on Instagram Bicoastal Model Management

Photos: Ivory Jackson @lucivoryphotography MUA: Alfena Williams @Aw_Mua

Chearice Vaughn in Lane Bryant

March 15, 2017March 15, 2017 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

Lane Bryant is known for celebrating the body of a Plus woman. Their capsule collections with top tier designers like Isabel Toledo, Christian Siriano, Sophie Theallet, and now Prabal Gurung are unequivocal. They have their finger on the pulse of a curvy woman’s needs and wants. Their new #ThisBody campaign is a movement to reflect the power and influence of women. Chearice Vaughn is that woman, which is why she’s in our Lane Bryant editorial.

Chearice Vaughn is an MSA Curves model in NYC. We chose to showcase Chearice in our Lane Bryant editorial because she exudes the confidence, elegance and strength of an LB woman. She’s worked with Curvysta magazine for years and can be seen on the covers of several Plus media outlets, including Plus Model Magazine’s, The Black Issue, Skorch Magazine and more. She was one of the first Plus models to officially walk during New York Fashion Week for Cabiria in 2013 and a featured model in Plus Night Out(2011-2013).