Artist Spotlight: U'Asia Cowan Creator/Designer of TU2'S By UU

What started off as a mom who decided not to buy store bought gowns for her daughter's pageants, has turned into a hometown success story! Born and bred in Paterson New Jersey, U'Asia Cowan has risen from the ranks of "Pagent Mom," or "Stage Mom" to bonafide business woman and entrepreneur.    Tu2's by UU has quickly become the favorite of many who want CUSTOM MADE PAGENT GOWNS,TUTU'S, and any other complementing accessories to make the event your attending memorable. Ms. Cowan's favorite tagline is "If you think it, I can make it!" Some of you may be doubtful of that comment, I however am NOT! She's made an entire skirt from light bulbs...LIGHT BULBS! That actually light up (without an extension cord,lol)! How many people can say they have the craftsmen ship to do that?

From first hand experience, I've seen the most creative, out of the box, just plain "damn why didn't I think of that!" Custom tutus and gowns created by Ms. Cowan. U'Asia has been in the design business since the early 90's creating detailed peices for special occasions, such as proms and weddings. I've witnessed the depth of her talent during the launch party for my debuting novel THE LIFE & TIMES OF A FULL FIGURED FASHIONISTA. I personally extended an invitation to Ms. Cowan and her plethora of models ranging from children, to THICK AND SWEET to present peices of her summer collection. The show DID NOT DISAPPOINT! The models gave audience members a WALK FOR THE GODS, and wowed us with the range of precision, style, focus, and ability of each and EVERY one of them. 

But fashion isn't U'Asia's only passion. She also gives of herself unselfishly as a mentor for children in the city of Paterson. Serving as a modeling coach, drill team coach, booking agent, talent coordinator, ShayShay Productions Team member, and teacher for the Paterson Public School System Ms. Cowan is a "JILL OF MANY TRADES" I wonder how this multifaceted diva finds enough hours in a day (lord knows I need to borrow some, lol)? U'Asia Cowan is an inspiration, we had a conversation not too long ago where I had told her that when I get in a bad head space and talk to her she gives me the push I need to keep going, and all she said to me was "THAT'S WHAT I'M HERE FOR." How amazing is it that someone could have so very much on their plate as far as life is concerned and still make room to give encouragement to others? ASTONISHING! I count myself as lucky to be in her tight knit group of friends. Today Ms U'Asia is our ARTIST IN THE SPOTLIGHT! Please give this queen her crown! 

**FOR CUSTOMS DESIGNS PLEASE SEARCH TU2'S by UU ON FACEBOOK!

TU2'S by UU FASHIONS:

Poem: Hey Fat Girl!

The Diary of a FAT Fashionista: The Unlikely Leading Lady

The Best friend, side kick, the DUFF; these are the type of roals available for full figured actors and actresses, or is it? Once upon a time, Hollywood headliners were actors that reflected real life situations, but not reall life people in their actor portrayals in most major motion pictures and network TV shows. The executiveives reluctance to cast plus size stars and or co-stars unless they are the witty, funny, sarcastic, confrontational, non romantic, and less attractive side kick of a more popularized personality has caused the more curvylicious to be more determined than ever to break those stereotypes.

Everyday I am amazed by how far the Full Figured Community has come. Starring and co starring in ore and more major TV series and motion pictures catapults the curvy figure into being more accepted Than in years past. 

Let's examine the facts! More and more plus size  actresses are joining the ranks of prestige by pursuing
and creating memorable characters that appeal to all audiences. On the 'Big Screen', we have Rebel Wilson; who not only takes back her power by calling herself 'Fat Amy', she continuously asserts her power by embracing who she is regardless to the people that are around her, she maintains her own sense of self and doesn't take herself too seriously, but allows herself to be comedic and in that she keeps the momentum in the movie going. 

The next actress that has become the trendsetter for acting while PLUS is Gabourey Sidibe, making her acting debut in movies like Precious, Gabourey has broken doors that have stood so long that  they've begun to rot. Showing range In her acting ability she has transition from dramatic roles, to comedic rules such as the character she played in Tower Heist, to A mix of both the dramatic and comedic when she co-starred in American Horror Story Coven, and her most recent role as feisty assistant Becky in Fox's TV hit drama Empire. 

Another one of my favorite curvy actresses is America Ferrera. She brings a wonderful, spicy, Latin twist on what it is to be curvy and want to be taken seriously in the industry. From starring in movies such as real women have curves, America inspired me to embrace my curvy figure in not to be ashamed, or embarrassed by it watching that movie gave me The courage not to care what people thought about what my body looks like. Starring in movies like, our family wedding America has shown in that movie that curvy women find love and get married too. We are regular women and we have the same goals, aspirations, and hangups as any other woman in the world.

We can't forget the legends!

Actresses such as Queen Latifah, Monique, Ricki Lake, S. Epatha Merkerson, Kathy Bates Jennifer Hudson, Nikki Blonsky, Kirstie Alley, and Tamala Mann have all shown me that it's okay to be the size that you are in the industry that you're in and be successful beyond your wildest dreams. They also showed me that it's okay to be a little silly and not take yourself so seriously, just as long as it does not inhibit the integrity of your work.

What about the TV networks?

In my growing up, it was normal to NOT see anyone like me on TV. Much like not seeing a race similar to yours (something to relate to), I began to have an obscure view of what was deemed beautiful, intelligent, and worthy of being taken seriously; which is exactly what I feel like the network executives of the past wanted. As time progressed, so did the expectations of the audience they sought to contain. In this era, new TV series's were born that project real life people, scenarios, and relationships.  Ushering in this new era are shows, books, and movies like:

I can't wait to see more PLUS POSITIVE entertainment through these different media outlets in the upcoming new seasons! 

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Spread Your Wings Fashion Show

Ms. Cardona with photographers

The spread your wings fashion show hosted and created by Deborah Cardona with special guest Chrissy Monroe from VH1's Love & HipHop New York that took place on April 11th, was an amazing show complete with two very talented designers. The first is a local designer from New York City named Erica Jackson from Harlem, NY. As owner/designer of Hi Maintenance Custom Couture, and an emerging talent out of Canada making the New York debut of her collection is Beth Anne Pederson of Fantasy Elite Designs. 

 


Erika is a self taught entrepreneur who began her career as a young child transforming her relatives old t-shirts, accessorize, and broken jewelry to create one of a kind ensembles for her dolls. Having done the same thing in my early years of being fashionista understand how Erika's keen eye, and determination helped her to transform Hi Maintenance Custom Couture from is beginnings as a jewelry line into what she refers to as 'bold & sexy' her delectably custom pieces will make women feel alluring, and men rushing to to fill their ladies lingerie drawers with more amazing creations. 

 
 Our next designer, who is our neighbor to the North; and fluent in fashion is Beth Anne Pederson creator and designer of Fantasy Elite Designs. Debuting her collection for the first time in New York City, she entered the Big Apple with one purpose; and that's to serve up some piping hot FASHION! She showed up and SHOWED OUT! Rarely have I seen a starting designer who displayed the the quality of the craft as Beth Anne has. Her fantasy collection were made of two elements I'd never thought I would use together; which is whimsical and sexy. With the support of her family, Beth Anne has created a collection that has been perfected since she was a small child. Finding herself through fashion, and translating it into one of the most beautiful, interesting, fantasy world created for sexy confident women, I can't wait to see more of her collection in the future.

Throughout the show while the designers collections weren't the only pieces that graced the runway. Each model wore with their outfit a custom jewelry piece from Nitza Ortiz of Divas Little Things who was also one of the event's sponsors. The other sponsors include: Exclusive Vodka who provided the night refreshments, and  Melody Jefferson of FaceByMelody who provided the makeup artistry for the show. Each adding a visual element to the show that pulled everything together and made it fun and exciting to watch.

 
With special guest Chrissy Monroe seated front and center in the middle of the Spread Your Wings whimsical, fashion fantasy wearing a custom dress made especially for her by Erica Jackson of Hi Maintenance Custom Couture, Chrissy cheered, photographed, and contributed to the success of the event by interacting with each of the party-goers and giving encouraging words to the models and designers; especially the mother of designer Beth Anne Pederson who had also made the trip with her daughter from Canada to support her debut. Beth Anne's mom gave an emotional, heart felt introduction before her daughter's collection hit the runway that completely showed the depth of a mothers love and support of her child's dream, HATS OFF TO MOM! 

This being my first Fashion show attended at the Poets Den Gallery I was not disappointed with how wonderfully executed the event organizers. Complete with overhead projection of the sponsors that contributed to the event, the designers names were displayed while each of their beautiful, one of a kind collections graced the runway bringing elegance to the Spread Your Wings Fashion Show. 

ITS TIME FOR FASHION PEOPLE! 

The first is Ms. Erica Jackson's Collection of Hi Maintenance Custom Couture:

  

The last designer is Beth Anne Pederson's Collection of Fantasy Elite Designs. 

Ms. Cardona with Beth Anne's Mom

And of course what fashion show is complete without a FABULOUS audience!

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