plus size fashion

Eloquii announces permanent store in Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, VA

| CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY: JOVANNA REYES  @jovannareyesphotography

Earlier this year, Eloquii, the go to online retailer for sophisticated Curvy shoppers, opened a Pop-Up shop in Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, VA.  Last night at a private event for bloggers and supporters of the brand, Alexandra Amarotico, Social Media Manager for Eloquii, and Dani Axelrod, Director of Store Operations, announced Eloquii is placing permanent roots and moving into a larger space two doors down.  Eloquii chose to open their first brick and mortar location in DC over New York City or Columbus, Ohio due to the strong sales in Washington. Pink champagne and Georgetown cupcakes were served to attendees, along with a gift bag filled with Eloquii goodies.

The permanent location in Pentagon City is opening early August 2017.  The Pop-Up will remain open while construction of the new store is underway.  The group of influencers were escorted to the new location and Ms. Axelrod described what Eloquii customers can expect.  “Our new location will have more space for product, a larger fitting room area with champagne fridges.  It will be really special”.  She had me at “champagne”!

 

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From left to right:  Ati Williams of www.heyhoneycomb.com, blogger, Yolanda Nicole of @yolandanicolea, Dani Sauter of @blondeinthedistrict, Dionna Humphrey of @mademepretty, Tiffany of @policyandfashion, Yaya of @yosoyyayar, Joy of @districtqueens, Catherine of @dreamyrealist_, Yasmine of @darkerberrie
Dionna Humphrey of @mademepretty
Ati Williams of HeyHoneycomb.com and Dani Sauter of @blondeinthedistrict
Yasmine of http://www.darkerberrie.com

 

Alexandra Amarotico and Dani Axelrod of Eloquii
Alexandra Amarotico, Social Media Manager and Dani Axelrod, Director of Store Operations
Alexandra Amarotico, Social Media Manager of Eloquii
Ati Williams, Alexandra A., Dani Axelrod, Eloquii sales associate
Joy of http://www.joyofcurves.com and @districtqueens
Dani Axelrod and Ati Williams
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Dionne Humphries of www.mademepretty.com and Dani Sauter of Blondeinthedistrict.com
Dani of @blondeinthedistrict on Instagram

ABOUT ELOQUII(AS COPIED FROM THE ELOQUII.COM SITE):

ELOQUII IS A PRIVATE COMPANY BASED IN NEW YORK AND COLUMBUS, OHIO THAT DESIGNS AND SELLS FASHION APPAREL IN SIZES 14-28.  THEY SHIP TO THE U.S., CANADA AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS.  EMAIL ELOQUII AT CUSTOMERSERVICE@ELOQUII.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION OR CALL 1.844.693.5678.

 

Eloquii Shop is open for business!

| CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

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Eloquii, the brand known for its great selection of Plus clothing for women sizes 14-28, opened its first Brick and Mortar/Test Shop(they don’t want to call it just another pop-up) at the Fashion Centre in Pentagon City in Arlington, Virginia.The location is on the second level next to Macy’s.  Why DC?  Mariah Chase, CEO of Eloquii stated “DC is our number-two market,” Chase says. “When we found a great space at Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, it was more a question of ‘Why not DC?’” as told to  of the Washingtonian.

“Our customers have been asking us for a physical location since we relaunched Eloquii nearly three years ago,” chief executive officer Mariah Chase said to WWD. “We’re excited to test what our business’ offline experience will mean to our customers at Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. D.C. is one of our best markets and we hope to become a worthy component of our D.C. customers’ offline lives, understand their omnichannel behavior as well as generate many new long-term Eloquii community members.”The store is offering iPads for digital signage and styling tips.”

eloqui2The event hosted by Ms. Chase and Creative director, Jodi Arnold was a tremendous success with tasty cocktails, appetizers(by Gina Cherservani of Buffalo and Bergen), gift bags and amazing guests.  The shop had bloggers from all over the U.S. including top fashionistas from the DC area(make sure to follow them on the links below!).  The faves of the evening? Anything denim, of course!  Their bird embroidered denim jacket will live on through many seasons and their cotton ruffled blue and white striped dress was a hit amongst the bloggers.  Click here to see it on Dionna Humphries of MadeMePretty and posted below.

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DANI SAUTER, BLONDEINTHEDISTRICT.COM wearing Eloquii’s Off the shoulder Midi Dress eloqui5eloqui26
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DIONNA HUMPRIES OF MADEMEPRETTY.COMeloqui14eloqui3

#WomanCrushWednesday with April Shari

| CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

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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

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Chearice Vaughn in Lane Bryant

| 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).

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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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#ModelFocus:The Jose Pagan Tour

| CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

Curvysta magazine sponsored Jose Pagan’s Photo Tour in Maryland.  The sponsorship included featuring the amazing models that participated and here they are!  The models were from the Washington D.C. and Baltimore Maryland area.  Their occupations vary from the medical field to finance and are the true example of the complete package!8a7a6092-edit-edit

Kristina Denise of the Curvygirlchronicles & IG@_KristinaDenise

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Tazah Richardson, Plus model from Washington DC @TazahRichardson  IG@Tazahthemodelvixen

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Yasmine Arrington, Plus model from Washington DC @YasmineArringtonScholarchips & IG@YazzieSpeaks

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Aysha White, Plus model from Baltimore Maryland @AyshaMWhite & IG@QueenAysh

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Rae Nicole, Plus model from Baltimore, Maryland @RaeNicole & IG@MissDavis

Here are the behind the scenes with the one and only Jose Pagan:

Follow Jose Pagan @JosePagan and at http://www.JosePaganPhotography.com

BTS Images by PCW Images-Paul Wiliams

#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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