I can’t believe we are already approaching the two month mark for Full Figured Fashion Week!   The closer we get to June, the more my excitement builds.  Like most of you, I am really looking forward to the inde showcase on Friday, June 15th, 2012 (purchase tickets here). As a member of the 2012 Fashion Front I recently had the opportunity to catch up with La Krisha S. Joseph-Baker, CEO & Founder  of Lavender’s Jungle.

How was Lavender’s Jungle born?

Lavender’s Jungle, LLC was born out of a necessity to find clothes to fit my body type.  I’ve always had a large muscular frame and I’ve always been tall.  So many years ago I started making my own clothes because I could not find clothes to fit me. 

After I had my son I was now plus sized and I realized that a lot of the retailers that carried plus size clothing were just “big” clothes without any regard to our actual shapes.  While many of the clothes were stylish they weren’t fashion forward.  I wanted to wear what I saw on the run way and I could not find it. 

Yes!!

As far as strengths, there are a lot of designers and retail establishments that are realizing that we don’t just come in one body type. Buyers are beginning to purchase and fill their stores with clothes that fit a variety of body types.  Not to mention, FFF Week is a testament to just how far this industry has come.

If I were to identify weaknesses I would say mainly that some still do not understand the purpose of tailoring a garment to the needs of a full figured woman.  While their intentions are good the clothes are still ill fitting. For example, when you have a larger busted woman you can’t simply just make the cup larger.  You have to add structure and stability within the garment to support the weight of a larger busted woman.

Yes … I am very excited about participating

What can the audience expect to see on the runway from Lavender’s Jungle?  

A play on femininity. This line has something for everyone.  Whether you are spending a day in the office or relaxing after work during happy hour.  This collection is about playful feminine pieces.  Taking us back to the days of how fun it was when we played dress up as little girls.

When I was doing the photo shoot for this line you could see the models really having fun with it.  Some stared at themselves in the mirror while others spent several minutes twirling around in the dresses.  That is the response I hoped to get. I want women to feel beautiful when they put on pieces from this line.

Not particularly, my focus for this line is not identified by a certain era but the focus was more towards the enjoyment of being a woman.  If I had my choice, my daily wardrobe would consist of all these pieces.

Photo Courtesy of Lavender’s Jungle.

It’s been a little over 18 hours since Monif C. released her 2012 Summer Collection and I have to admit – I still have not narrowed down my choices.  One thing is for sure, I have a lot of wants.  In this collection we are going from sun to fun.  Never one to disappoint Monif has hit key fashion trends with this collection including NEON!

As we have witnessed recently, the high/low trend has descended down to the fashion world (yet again) – however, Monif has taken it to another level by adding the trend to her swimwear collection with the “St. Lucia” Beaded Chiffon Cover-Up offered in burnt orange and black.  This piece is super sexy and the added beaded detailing gives the curvy woman quite a bit of glam.  Ironically, what I appreciate the most about this cover-up, is the high/low concept.  For me the added material in the back gives me a little extra comfort in knowing my derriere will be covered while walking thru the lobby of a beach resort.

The “Whitley” has a full back zipper that screamed out my name when I first noticed it.  I love back detailing on clothes.

Photos property of Monif C. Plus Sizes – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Until next time… xoxo Kimberly

Eyani Couture, based in Newark, New Jersey is a couture design firm specializing in sizes 10 and up. Previous event participation for the company includes Project Curve Appeal’s Rock the Runway & Apple Bottom’s Evolution of Curves in 2011.

Earlier this week Eyani Couture announced via their Facebook fan page their model liaison search.  Based on the information posted the Eyani Couture model liaison will serve as a brand ambassador for the company.  So if you are experienced in print, runway and/or fit modeling you may definitely want to consider entering this model search competition.

I had a chance to catch up with a representative from Eyani earlier today, when asked who their ideal candidate(s) will be,  this is what I was able to find out.

“Our ideal model liaison would need the qualities of a great spokes model.. She’d have to be relatable to the everyday woman with the professional work ethic and attitude to match. Experienced in runway and/or print, with a love for the evolving full figured fashion industry. We want models that see the growth potentional of the Eyani Couture brand and feel that they can help make us better”

Well look no further let reintroduce you to Date Curves. Date Curves is an intimate upscale speed dating mixer event catered to curvy women and men that can appreciate CURVES. They screen all daters and assure that you will have a great time at their events.  They recently had two events in Miami and Atlanta and their next stops are Los Angeles on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 and NYC on Wednesday, April 25, 2012.

If you are in the Los Angeles area and would like to participate click here.

If you are in the New York City area and would like to participate click here.

 

12 Plus Entertainment

presents

Sexy Saturday Nights at Diva Lounge

Saturday April 14th, 2012

Ladies free before 11

More information on this event can be found here.

Since the taping is scheduled to air in a few weeks, and we love to provide you guys with the sense of mystery (hey it makes the wow factor better) – I will only be sharing some behind the scenes photos.

Until we chat again…. xoxo Kimberly

Photos courtesy of DeVoe Signature Events All Rights Reserved.

The Curvy Spot will definitely be attending this event.  The speakers for the panel discussion are some of the most amazing voices of the plus-size industry! 

• Madeline Figueroa-Jones, Editor in Chief of Plus Model Magazine
• Brandon Blue Coates, Brand Manager for Monif C. Plus Sizes
• Jeannie Fergueson, Petite Plus Model & co-founder of Big Girls United
• Asia Mone’t, Plus Model

This is the type of event you attend not only to learn some techniques to improve your portfolio, but can you IMAGINE the networking possibilities.  Not many organizations can pull this type of panel together so we’re giving extra kudos to the ladies of Project Curve Appeal NYC.

Tickets are available online at http://findingyourcurveappeal.eventbrite.com/.   For vendor opportunites contact the chapter directly at NyCurveAppeal@gmail.com!

 

Pop Up Plus is the most innovative retailer in the plus size industry. Through their temporary, on trend designer pop up shops for sizes 14 and up, we have started a plus size revolution for the curvy trendsetter.  When you walk through our doors you walk into your dream closet. Our mobile collections are a highly edited mix of each season’s cutting edge trends from established American, international, and emerging designers.

To register for the event popupplussale.eventbrite.com

The following is required:

• Examples of previous videos that have been published; YouTube videos are acceptable, ones published on blogs/sites are preferred
• Experience with all aspects of WordPress, Tumblr and its workings
• Able to produce a video of at least 5 mins long every week – we can be flexible on publication day
• Must be well-spoken, have knowledge of fashion industry, and present well on camera
• Candidate will be compensated per video, one video every week. Payment will only be made via Paypal
• Candidates who have a lot of ‘pull/influence’ with their social media
• Profiles and are willing to post/retweet their videos every week will be given preference also. They can in return provide a backlink from their site to yours.

If interested, please submit sample of a recent fashion vlog via a YouTube or website URL to: blog@fffweek.com. Reference FFFWeek Vlogger in subject line.