plus size blog

#ModelFocus: Andre Belue at the International Fuller Woman Festival

| CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

Our #ModelFocus is Andre Belue, who participated at The Focus Forum during the International Fuller Woman Festival this past weekend.  Mr. Belue is an actor and Plus male model based in Detroit.  Being my first male model ever, was a little tricky, as my instinct is to allow models to look softer and more feminine, not strong and manly.

A true gentleman and a pleasure to photograph!

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Visit the International Fuller Woman Festival atwww.fullerwoman.org for more information on any future events.  Don’t miss next year’s Focus Forum!

For more of my photos visit www.jovannareyes.com and please follow Curvysta @:

Facebook/CurvystaMagazine

Instagram/Curvysta

Twitter/Curvysta

Our Parisian influenced background was the Hotel St. Regis(@hotelstregis), with its french inspired facade and wrought iron details.

 

“Exclusively Inclusive” with BYRON LARS BEAUTY MARK at KiaStyle360NYFW

| CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

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

CRFW 2016-TRU DIVA, the Print Queen!

| CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

Curves Rock held in Baltimore, Maryland this past weekend, showcased independent designers from all over the United States.  One of the most well known in the Plus community is Tru Diva Designs by Veronica L.  The designer, Veronica Lipscomb, delivered color blocking in various textures, fabrics and prints.  Her ability to produce complimentary prints on a Curvy woman is unmatched. The use of mandarin collars and Japanese inspired textiles, were perfectly  in tune with her red, white and black combinations seen in the rest of the collection.  Tru Diva Designs never disappoints!

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“FRINGED” with Jill Alexander Designs at PNO 2015

| CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

The casual and effortless grace of the “Jill Alexander” woman is easily attainable with her new collection seen at PNO 2015.  The soft color palette and luxe stretch fabrics were eye candy.  Her use of purple to accent her lighter pieces were perfect to fight the upcoming winter doldrums.  Her fringe technique on her skirts and dresses were on trend and are perfect for the curvy woman, who can carry off a little more than a smaller body type.   The lovely, Jeannie Ferguson started the showcase off with the ivory fringed sheath, perfect for the holidays or an evening out.  Nicole Zepeda and Ariella Vazquez were graceful ballerinas in their ballet inspired wrap dresses and soft, neutral color palettes.  The ‘piece de resistance’, was Vicky Poole in the beautifully designed gold print finale dress.  Perfect for the holidays!  This collection just might get me through winter while I’m “California dreaming”.

JEANNIE FERGUSON IN JILL ALEXANDER DESIGNS
JEANNIE FERGUSON IN JILL ALEXANDER DESIGNS
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NICOLE ZEPEDA IN JILL ALEXANDER DESIGNS
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ARIELLA VAZQUEZ IN JILL ALEXANDER DESIGNS
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KELLY OLSON IN JILL ALEXANDER DESIGNS
VICKY POOLE IN JILL ALEXANDER DESIGNS
VICKY POOLE IN JILL ALEXANDER DESIGNS
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INDIA ROBINSON IN JILL ALEXANDER DESIGNS

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

| CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

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
ASHLEY STEWART
MODEL: APRIL SHARI

 

ASHLEY STEWART MODEL: YASNELY LOPEZ
ASHLEY STEWART
MODEL: YASNELY LOPEZ
ASHLEY STEWART MODEL: JESSICA LIKAS
ASHLEY STEWART
MODEL: JESSICA LIKAS(TRUE MODELS)
ASHLEY STEWART MODEL: MONIQUE ROBINSON
ASHLEY STEWART
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)
ASHLEY STEWART
MODEL: SAMANTHA LEBBIE(IPM MODELS)
ASHLEY STEWART MODEL: JESSICA GUZMAN(IPM MODELS)
ASHLEY STEWART
MODEL: JESSICA GUZMAN(IPM MODELS)
ASHLEY STEWART MODEL: LAURA LEE JOHNSON
ASHLEY STEWART
MODEL: LAURA LEE JOHNSON(BICOASTAL MODELS)
ASHLEY STEWART MODEL: ALIYAH CHERRISSE
ASHLEY STEWART
MODEL: ALIYAH CHERRISSE(TRUE MODELS)
ASHLEY STEWART MODEL: R. SERAPHIN(IPM MODELS)
ASHLEY STEWART
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)
ASHLEY STEWART
MODEL: LAURA JOHNSON(IPM MODELS)
ASHLEY STEWART MODEL: VANESSA MAY HINDS(BICOASTAL MODELS)
ASHLEY STEWART
MODEL: VANESSA MAY HINDS(BICOASTAL MODELS)

Fashion’s Night Out Plus Models

| CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

Congratulations to our first Fashion Night Out’s Models.  They range from first timers to seasoned professionals, from DC/VA/Md to Seattle, Washington.  We know they are going to tear up the runway!

Sommer Green, Meilee McElroy, Lisa Rodriguez, Jese Gary, Nellonda Whitaker, Tracey Washington, Unissha McNeil, Nicole Zepeda, Lala Jones and Chearice Vaughn, who is also our model coordinator.

The first Fashion’s Night Out event catering to Plus Size Trendsetters in the DC Metro Area comes to Alexandria, VA.  On September 8, 2011 from 6-11PM,  the momentum of Fashion’s Night Out will take on a new twist in the DC/Md/Va  Metro Area by catering exclusively to the Plus Size Community.

Being held at the trendsetting BeautyFull Boutique located at 118 N. Fayette Street, Alexandria, VA; the 2011 Fashion’s Night Out Plus will feature high end fashions from “Curvysta”, NY’s highly popular “Pop Up Plus” and accessory powerhouses “Ear Candy Accessories and NickyB’s Accessories”. Fresh off the heels of Full Figured Fashion Week, these brands and others will come together to celebrate curvy girls in the DC area and beyond.

Alongside the Curvy Fashionistas previously mentioned, Fashion’s Night Out Plus is pleased to welcome the unveiling of the Arturo Rios Fall Hat Collection. Mr. Rios is known worldwide for his couture headpieces which have graced the heads of celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Lindsey Lohan and has donned the pages of many upscale fashion magazines.

To help celebrate the curvy festivities, Fashion’s Night Out Plus has invited Celebrity Stylist & Designer Rafael Cox of Project Runway Season 9, WPGC On-air personality Poet from the Sunday Brunch, Mrs. Jewell Green owner of the Posh Boutique, Comedian Queen Aisha and a host of other VIP/celebrity guests. Fashion’s Night Out Plus will be holding giveaways every hour on the hour for its participants. The night has been sponsored by Galceau’VitaminWater, Margarita Man, The Full Cup, The Overwood Restaurant, Hard Times Cafe, Lavender Moon Cupcakery and more.

For more information on Fashion’s Night Out Plus please visit the website http://www.fnoplus.com,  http://www.Facebook.com/FNOPlusVA and http://www.Twitter.com/FNOPlus.  If you have any questions email us at fashionnightoutplus@yahoo.com.

A portion of sales from each vendor will be donated to the local battered women’s shelters.

Curvysta Sculpture in HOMEGOODS

| CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

Hi Curvystas!

I’m still in need of some furniture pieces in my new place but am trying to avoid overshopping.  I no longer have my own personal garage to hoard things in anymore, now that I’m a city girl.  My go to place is HOMEGOODS, the sister furniture store to Marshall’s/T.J. Maxx.  They have the best selection of decorative items, at an affordable price.  Here are some of my fave pieces that I would’ve purchased without thinking about it, just because I liked them.  Clutter is no longer an option and therefore I have these lovely pictures to hold on to instead.  Check out the Curvysta sculpture!  LOVE IT!  I’m going to try to find a spot for it somewhere in my house.