The Diary Of A FAT Fashionista: The Non-Networking Party

In a recent post to my Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/FashionPlusBlog), I mentioned becoming a little more picky about attending events. The reason for that post is because I would to feel bad about not being able to attend events, due to my day job and missing my chance to make connections with others in the plus industry. That was then and this is NOW! As you know. Some events a blogger can get in on a press pass, or if your well known a guest list of some sort; but if your like me and have been blogger about two years and not very well known most of the time I end up paying my way into an event. And when you add the cost of transportation (and a killer outfit, because you can't go looking scruffy) that's a lot of COINS!

I've realized that most events that are labeled "Networking" or otherwise resemble something closely related to a family or class reunion. For example, if you've ever attended a fashion show most of the audience members have close relations to the models, and therefore come to support. Those people are not there to make industry connections, and the industry professionals that are in attendance are few. Also, let's say you actually attend an event that has industry people in abundance; most of them already know each other (if they've been in the biz for a while) and tend to clique up. A newcomer can find themselves on an island all their own without a lifeboat, a paddle, or even a strong wond to get them to the main land; basically what I'm saying is...YOUR SHIT OUTTA LUCK! 

So, I've decided to be a bit more choicy when it comes to an event that I have to pay to attend. I love a good fashion show as well as the next FATSHIONISTA, but I'm going to make it point not to attend competitions that don't feature a boutique or new designers. Instead, I'm going to set my sights on launch parties, magazine events, or a forum of some kind. Not every event requires your attendence, you know what your looking for as far as the type of people you want to have association with; so you would have to alter the events you attend in order to attract a more specific crowd. 

Listen, I'm not saying be ultra exclusive to the point of snobbery. But for me, I'm just being more mindful of we're I spend my time and money. I want to actually make connections with people that will eventually put me into a category of being a great industry professional among my Plus Size Fashion peers. I love meeting new people and building lasting relationships, I just don't want to waist my time doing it. There are some events I wish I could attend and can't and that is also a main reason why I'm prioritizing my event schedule, so that the really important events are higher up on my list. 

Have you ever been unable to attend an event fashion or otherwise, and felt horrible about it? 

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The Diary of a FAT FASHIONISTA: I don't have anything to wear!

Hello! Lovely, Fluffy, Divas! In the Confessions series we addressed plus size lifestyles that included careers, love, relationships, mental, physical, & emotional aspects of being FAT in a skinny world. In this series, were going to focus more on the journey plus size women take through fashion and coming into their own. Though it's talked about all throughout this blog, this series will be geared for women like myself who have a hard time staying on trends, keeping up with the seasons must have 'IT' item, and everything in between due to the fact that we are slightly heavier than the more solid plus size women. In other words, we might have a little extra in our tummy pockets then other women. This is for the extra meaty sistas of the world, I got you!

I've been going through my closet trying desperately to find something different to wear; The worst feeling in the world is to realize you have absolutely nothing or that you've worn everything in there at least more
than a dozen times. What's a girl to do! Ok ladies, I'm not the only fluffy woman who's thighs rub and because of that your pants start to show wearing in that area; so I know the pain of having to fix a good pair of pants because of it. Also, we truly get tired of mixing and matching the same items over and over. If any of you are like me and crave variety  then we know the same old wardrobe just won't due.

So, whats a big girl to do? First things first, 'New Year' new revelations! Use your connections or make some if you don't have any. Be a little more friendly when going into a store to make a purchase. Become friends with the sales people, in doing that you will find out when new items are coming in; or when something goes on sale. These people will become your fashion insiders; telling you what you need to know.

Next, though you may know this already shop clearence, not just any clearence ALL clearance. We all have our favorite spots to shop, but try to branch out. Go to stores you wouldn't  normally go to find a deal. Basically be more flexable, just because a store doesn't traditionally sell plus sizes doesn't mean they don't have wardrobe pieces that can work with you style. for example, I use to avoid J.C. Penny like the plague because what they offered in plus sizes was hiddious! Some garments fell apart in the wash, lost color, or stretched out. Because of that i stopped shopping there, now I visit a little more often and stick to  the items I now would look good, fit, and above all LAST! I will never find a a pair of pants there to fit me, but at least I can find a good, inexpensive top. 

Finally, ladies we have to get over the fear of the dressing room. This is the place nightmares are made of. I remember when I use to be so scared to go into the dressing room and be disappointed that my heart would pound has I opened the door. Dramatic? Yes. The truth? Hell yes! I don't know if I've completely gotten over the anxiety, but I do know that I've learned how to not let it strike fear in me.

Have you taken something in the dressing room and you were sure it would fit or that you would look good in it, only to find out that it doesn't even come close to what your imagination thought it would look like? Yeah, I've done that too. So, whats the point? How is this going to help you? I'll tell you how. Try not to be upset by the fact that whatever the item is that is doesn't flatter your body, recognize the fact that your found out in the dressing room and not at home, work, or a night out. It's the worse when your busy throughout your day and you have a wardrobe malfunction. So, think of it as saving you from spending money that would be better spent on something that would actually look good. 

ARE PLUS SIZE WOMEN VAIN?

Ladies, lets face it. Although we are plus size we are very vain in a way when it comes to letting the world know that we hold ourselves at a high standard even if they don't. We view it as a shame if your plus sized and not well maintained, in that we may try to squeeze into clothes that have long stop fitting; THIS MUST STOP! In our vanity, we refuse to see that though we're plus size weight has been gained making the size were are, become the size we were. Stop buying things in your old size in an attempt to save face with the fact that your maintain your size instead of growing out of it. Try making positive changes in your diet. Look, I'm no nutritionist but I have the same problem and I try to make healthier choices as to not grow out of my clothes. We all know the bigger you are the more money the clothes cost, but allowing your muffin top to take center attention over your personality, style, and essence of being is a far

bigger crime. 

I'm not therapist, but I call it like it is. I talk about things that have happened to me, or I've gone through myself. Shopping isn't always a quick therapy session, but if your going out to the malls to find something to wear; don't bring baggage with you. If you do, all you will bring how with you is more baggage than what you had the first time. Let the weight of finding something to wear go (no pun intended) in order to find something that fits. 

Stay plus size, sexy, and confident!

Please leave any questions or comments below!

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YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/dom4fashionplus

 

Kurvacious Boutique Model Competition: Who will be the face of Kurvacious Boutique?

 Forget size 2, move over size 10; plus size fashion is making its presence known in a big way! How? By giving plus size beauties a platform to rock their curves, and represent their individual style through Kurvacious Boutique's plus size model completion. In their search to find the woman who would embody all that a Kurvacious woman represents, a model competitor was held; and on Saturday, July 27th the chosen finalist strutted with determination, sashayed with ease, and struck the fiercest of poses to capture, engage, and fascinate the judges and audience members alike.

Rehearsals

But wait! We can't have a model competition without fist setting the stage. The competition was held at Harlem Prep Charter School in NYC, in their event hall called The Crystal Room. The space was already amazing upon entry with glass window which surrounded the room; giving guests a view of the city, but was
further enhanced by creating an intimate setting complete with dim mood lighting, candles on each table. In the middle of the room sat a spotlit catwalk like area in which the models descended upon. With a DJ, spoken word artists, singers, a bar, and venders lined against the gigantic glass window this show had everything needed to create a lasting experience (with the air

Perfection isn't an option, it's a necessity

conditioning on full blast, I was in heaven). 

Together with my colleagues at Size Matters Photography, we soaked in the ambiance and shot amazing photos! Attending this event was the second time in my life where I saw so many beautiful, fashionable, plus size women on the catwalk as well as in the audience. At times the fashion stayed on the runway, and stopped at the audience; but in this instance it continued to make its presence known among the beauties that I was sitting near.

Plus size boutiques are few are far between when it comes to providing a full figured woman with an array of great fashions, and lets face it how many of them give plus size women (real plus size women, not padded bras, air brushed or but lifts. But real women who will be actually wearing the clothing instead of just modeling it.) a chance to show confidence and personality? I don't know who you are thinking of, but I can defiantly count Kurvacious Boutique as one of them. Another thing that I was impressed with, was the fact that the women are women who look like me or someone that I know; and to me that really came across as the designer really being focused on appealing to the masses of women who will be utilizing their boutique. Also, the different age groups of the women modeling caught my attention mainly because it implied that age doesn't determine beauty or a sense of style and that every full figured women will be represented, and that
level of comfort was great to have. Most plus size stores or boutiques only cater to one type of age range leaving the others lost in the fashion ABYSS, But with Kurvacious Boutique I saw versatility; which was refreshing to me.

When it comes to the models; these ladies where not only about the competition, but the business of fashion in all. These women did something not many have the courage to do, so on behalf of myself and colleagues at Size Matters Photography; we want to congratulate all the ladies in the competition, and a special congratulations to Techla Nesbitt the winner and new face of Kurvacious Boutique! And a special thank you to all the people who made it possible to have this event!


*Subscribe to my YouTube channel to view some footage from the competition at www.youtube.com/user/dom4fashionplus

Enough with the talk...ON WITH THE FASHION!

ME!

**There are so many images that I'm not able to show them all, please visit Size Matters Photography on Facebook (details below). Images provided by Size Matters Photography, Kurvacious Boutique, and myself. Please support us as we continue to do what we love in combination with our passion for plus size fashion.
INFO:

-Kurvacious Boutique: www.Kurvacious.com or www.facebook.com/KurvaciousBoutique
-Size Matters Photography: www.facebook.com/Sizemattersphotography
-Fashion Plus: www.facebook.com/FashionPlusBlog
       YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/dom4fashionplus
       Instagram: PlusSizePrincessDom