curvysta blog

“If Not Now, When?”, The First Ever Film Directed by Two Black Women Premieres at the 23rd ABFF in Miami Beach

| CURVYSTA MAGAZINE
Article/Photos/Video by Jovanna Reyes www.jovannareyes.com

It’s 2019 and we can still say “If Not Now, When?” is the first film ever made with two Black female directors and producers, where it premiered at the American Black Film Festival in Miami Beach. Tamara Bass and Meagan Good, friends first and directors/producers(Krazy Actress Productions) second, took on several titles and multitasked as actors in the film. The movie, written by Tamara Bass, also stars Mekia Cox and Meagan Holder as childhood friends with a strong “sisterhood” bond that keeps them together through life’s challenges.

Watch the video below, captured at the 23rd ABFF Roundtable where Bass and Good describe wanting to bring back an all Black female ensemble cast(popular in the nineties) and how ‘authenticity ‘ and quality were the most important factors during filming.

Meagan Good and Tamara Bass, directors and producers of “If Not Now, When?” Discuss the screening at ABFF 2019 Roundtable at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel.

Tamara Bass and Meagan Good at the ABFF 2019 Awards Carpet.

Chearice Vaughn in Lane Bryant

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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).

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Black mesh sleeved top and pleather culottes by Lane Bryant; Shoes model’s own

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Denim jacket, Cacique bra and Cacique high-waist panty by Lane Bryant; Dress by Zara

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chearice312201723Top and Jeans by Lane Bryant

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“Exclusively Inclusive” with BYRON LARS BEAUTY MARK at KiaStyle360NYFW

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Byron Lars of Byron Lars Beauty Mark presented his collection during New York Fashion Week at Kia Style 360.  Mr. Lars goal for the season is to be “exclusively inclusive”.

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The runway was culturally diverse and body positive.  Byron Lars featured a variety of Curvy models on the runway and each dress just as fierce as the straight size models. Sommer Green(@Sommerboogie), a Plus/Curvy model, opened the show in a “Gele”, pronounced gaye lay, an African head wrap, wearing a body conscious, multi-patterned dress.  Her silhouette at the start of the runway, set the tone for the entire show.

Mr. Lars embraced ethnicities, shapes, races and sizes.  His presentation was an easy example of what may be done and must be done in all runway shows.  He didn’t tease us with possibilities, he made it happen.

The show included Kristi Castlin(@kristihollywood), Bronze medal winner in Track and Field in the 2016 Olympics in Rio.  She wore a patterned dress of stripes and florals accessorized with her solid bronze medal and track shoes.

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Model extraordinaire and Hello Beautiful, style and beauty editor, Danielle James(@TheIslanDiva), walked in the show in her signature converse sneakers.  Mr. Lars was inspired by their last meeting when she wore her converse with a dress and appreciated her laid back, ultra-feminine style.

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Celebrities, models and fashion’s finest were all in attendance.  Fern Mallis, Ana Maria Sandegren of Precious7.com, Ashley Dobson, Supermodel Denise Bidot, Bonang, Geneva S. Thomas of Bravo’s “Blood, Sweat & Heels” and many more.

ANA MARIA SANDEGREN OF PRECIOUS7.COM AND DENISE BIDOT, SUPERMODEL
GENEVA S. THOMAS OF BLOOD,SWEAT & TEARS
NATURI NAUGHTON
BYRON LARS AND BONANG
MODELS-NAIMAH TERRY AND MOCHA MERCILUS

Models seen on the runway were from MSA Models, Major and True Model Management. TMM was the official model management sponsor of Byron Lars Beauty Mark. Jenna Rusnak(@thecurvyrebel), Frankie Tavares(@frankietavares), were just a few of the True Model Management models gracing the runway. As hard as it was to take your eyes off of Byron Lars’ beautifully patterned dresses, Tiannia Barnes, a luxury shoe designer, sponsored the Italian made stilettos featured in the show.  My favorite, the mustard fringe heels. The handmade, couture accessories were created by The Sheila Gray Collection. The best of accessories to compliment the best of NYFW.

TRUE MODEL MANAGEMENT AND THEIR MODELS
TIANNIA BARNES
TIANNIA BARNES LUXURY SHOES

 

All photos by Alec Turner and Jonathan Rodriguez

Written by Jovanna Reyes

A “TRU LUXE” Collection by TRU DIVA Designs for NYFW Plus Night Out 2015

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TRU DIVA DESIGNS by Veronica Lipscomb graced the Plus Night Out runway 9/17/15 for the second time in two years.

This year’s TRU DIVA collection included textured and luxe fabrics to compliment every curve.  My favorites were the naval inspired hi-low ivory jacket with gold button accents, worn by Jeannie Ferguson and the knit body-con maxi dress worn by Sommer Green.  I can see myself wearing it with cowboy boots for day wear or with heels for an evening affair.  Perfect for day to night.  Any woman wearing her dresses will feel like they’re on a runway.  Placing my order tonight!

All photos by Lucivory Photography/Ivory Jackson

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JEANNIE FERGUSON-TRUE MODEL MGMT

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JESSICA LIKAS-IPM MODEL MGMT

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KE’NISHA DUNLAP-TRUE MODEL MGMT

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MOCHA MERCILUS-FREE AGENT

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JEWELS HAY-IPM MODEL MGMT

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NICOLE WILMORE-FREE AGENT

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SAMANTHA LEBBIE-IPM MODEL MGMT

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SARAH W.-BICOASTAL MODEL MGMT

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SARAH FERGUSON-IPM MODEL MGMT

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SOMMER GREEN-IPM MODEL MGMT

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VICKY POOLE-TRUE MODEL MGMT

rue21 Delivers Boho Chic at Plus Night Out 2015

| CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

rue21, the fashion forward retailer of rue+, offered the best in boho chic for fall 2015 on the Plus Night Out runway.  Fringe, floral print and jeans that fit your every curve, where showcased, including a few outfits for after hours.  Hosted by Shirley Velasquez, the Director of Content for Latina magazine and Chenese Lewis, of the top podcast for Curvy women, The Chenese Lewis show, Plus Night Out designers delivered collections from day to evening and swimwear.  Stay tuned for more coverage of the PNO 2015 runway.

rue21 model:yasmely lopez photo by Lucivory Photography

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rue+ for rue21 model: jeannie ferguson Lucivory Photography

rue+ for rue21 model: gabrielle bowens Lucivory Photography

rue+ for rue21 model: sommer green Lucivory Photography

rue+ for rue21 model: shanda ferguson Lucivory Photography

rue+ for rue21 model: Ke’nisha Dunlap Lucivory Photography

rue+ for rue21 model: samantha lebbie Lucivory Photography

rue+ for rue21 model: nicole zepeda Lucivory Photography

rue+ for rue21 model: Jessica guzman Lucivory Photography

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PLUS NIGHT OUT 2014 RUNWAY-ASHLEY STEWART

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Ashley Stewart delivered the top trends of the fall season at Plus Night Out 2014, the only exclusively plus fashion event during New York Fashion Week.  Tough girl cutouts, bold fur, patterns, color and just enough sparkle!

Ashley Stewart entregó las principales tendencias de la temporada de otoño en el Plus Night Out 2014, el evento sólo exclusivamente para la moda plus, durante la Semana de la Moda de Nueva York. Recortes de chica dura, piel acentuado, patrones audaces, color y suficiente chispa!

All photos by Doug Swaim of NFPhotography.com

ASHLEY STEWART MODEL: APRIL SHARI
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MODEL: APRIL SHARI

 

ASHLEY STEWART MODEL: YASNELY LOPEZ
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MODEL: YASNELY LOPEZ

ASHLEY STEWART MODEL: JESSICA LIKAS
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MODEL: JESSICA LIKAS(TRUE MODELS)

ASHLEY STEWART MODEL: MONIQUE ROBINSON
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MODEL: MONIQUE ROBINSON(IPM MODELS)

ASHLEY STEWART MODEL: FERIN CATLETT(IPM MODELS)
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MODEL: FERIN CATLETT(IPM MODELS)

ASHLEY STEWART MODEL: SAMANTHA LEBBIE(IPM MODELS)
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MODEL: SAMANTHA LEBBIE(IPM MODELS)

ASHLEY STEWART MODEL: JESSICA GUZMAN(IPM MODELS)
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MODEL: JESSICA GUZMAN(IPM MODELS)

ASHLEY STEWART MODEL: LAURA LEE JOHNSON
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MODEL: LAURA LEE JOHNSON(BICOASTAL MODELS)

ASHLEY STEWART MODEL: ALIYAH CHERRISSE
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MODEL: ALIYAH CHERRISSE(TRUE MODELS)

ASHLEY STEWART MODEL: R. SERAPHIN(IPM MODELS)
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MODEL: R. SERAPHIN(IPM MODELS)

ASHLEY STEWART MODEL: SOMMER GREEN(IPM MODELS)
ASHLEY STEWART
MODEL: SOMMER GREEN(IPM MODELS)

ASHLEY STEWART MODEL: LIZ SHAR(IPM MODELS)
ASHLEY STEWART
MODEL: LIZ SHAR(IPM MODELS)

ASHLEY STEWART MODEL: LAURA JOHNSON(IPM MODELS)
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MODEL: LAURA JOHNSON(IPM MODELS)

ASHLEY STEWART MODEL: VANESSA MAY HINDS(BICOASTAL MODELS)
ASHLEY STEWART
MODEL: VANESSA MAY HINDS(BICOASTAL MODELS)

Curvysta Home Fashions

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Hello Curvy Ladies! I am definitely a minimalist when it comes to decor (just like the store).  I’m the crazy woman that buys all the white sheets and pillowcases.  I was so ecstatic when I found this Margaret Muir Duvet Set at Marshall’s/T.J. Maxx.  The floral is just enough and even though its a duvet cover, I chose to not use a comforter.  It’s perfect for August summer nights in Virginia, where the temperature falls into the mid 50’s.

T.J. Maxx/Marshall's