For the past 7 years, Full Figured Fashion Week® has been a staple in the plus size community. Each year women travel from near and far to participate and witness the event that many call, “The Oscars Of The Plus Size Industry.” The event began as a way to show the world that plus size women were just as relevant to fashion as any other women, which it has proven. However, over the years, Full Figured Fashion Week® has become a source for greatness that far exceeds fashion.
Full Figured Fashion Week® provides the everyday woman with the opportunity to rub elbows with some of the plus size industry’s greatest influencers. Many women (myself included), have walked away from the event with a great deal of inspiration. How could you not be inspired by the opportunity to meet and network with so many women from different walks of life with a common bond. Personally, I have had the pleasure of making countless connects and meeting individuals who I had only interacted with via social media.
Full Figured Fashion Week® is also a stop for many women on the road to greatness. This week long event has provided a platform for numerous designers, boutiques, models and bloggers to introduce their brand to a larger audience of plus size women. This is something the event’s producer and creator Gwen Devoe takes great pride in.
There are countless women whose brands came from humble beginnings and skyrocketed after being a part of Full Figured Fashion Week®. Women who are respected the world over for the impact that they have made on the plus size community and industry. These are women with brands that not only cater to plus size women but who also use their platform to empower women to be great.
In the event that you are not familiar with some of the Full Figured Fashion Week® alumni doing big things (pun intended) allow me to share a few with you.
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Ashley Graham,
Model Ashley Graham has been on a gradual raise for several years now, part of that raise including her recognition as Full Figured Fashion Week® Model Of Year in 2012. Since that time she has worked with brands like Lane Bryant, Addition Elle and Swimsuitsforall, this does not include countless covers and features including Sports Illustrated. Oh and did I mention that Ashley has her own line of lingerie.
2. Marie Denee, The Curvy Fashionista
Like Full Figured Fashion Week®, The Curvy Fashionista is celebrating her "lucky 7" year. In that 7 years, her brand has become one of the curvy community's greatest resources. Not only is she consistently providing content and style inspiration, The Curvy Fashionista is producing events that will keep the community informed and engaged.
A photo posted by The Curvy Fashionista (@thecurvyfashionista) on
3. Madeline Jones
Model turned Editor In Chief of Plus Model Magazine , Madeline Jones has long been a friend of Full Figured Fashion Week® which she proves by partnering with the brand to spread our message throughout the plus size community. This is why it was a no brainer to name Plus Model Magazine Full Figured Fashion Week®; Magazine Of The Year. Maddy's influence continues to grow as she uses her platform and her voice to celebrate plus size women and promote diversity. This year Maddy is working on several different projects one being the Jones Report.
4. Jibri
Jibri was named Designer of the Year in 2012 and also showed her Fall 2012 collection in the Indie show as a part of the honor. While it was not the beginning of the brand's growth, since that time she has continued to consistently produce fashion forward pieces that have made her a go to for plus women and celebrity stylist in need of clothing that caters to women with curves who are trendy, confident and stylish. She has styled looks for Essence Magazine and celebrities like Tasha Cobbs and Gabourey Sidibe have rocked Jibri. When asked about her FFFWeek® experience, designer Jasmine Elder stated,
"It was a really memorable career moment for me as it's always a great feeling to be recognized for your work. Personally, it was breathtaking to see so many gorgeous plus sized women. I'm probably understating this. The attendees were so beautiful they left me speechless. Fantastic event and I was honored to be a participant."
5. Ashley Nell Tipton
Who would have thought that a Full Figured Fashion Week® alumni would go on to make history as the first plus size designer to present an all plus size collection at New York Fashion Week? We did! There has never been a question that Ashley Nell Tipton was destined for greatness. Last year she stared on Project Runway which she went on to win but not before presenting her collection of plus size designs using plus size models on the runway at New York Fashion Week.
6. Rosie Mercado
To say that 2010 Face Of Full Figured Fashion Week®, Rosie Mercado has evolved is an understatement. Since that time Rosie has appeared on television and several publications. Following her reemergence, Rosie has secured a contract with True Model Management, Hughes Models and Slink Jeans. She continues to share her truth as a plus size woman and is considered a plus size Latina model that should be on your radar. Rosie has been feature on Dr. Oz and other shows speaking about her lifestyle change as a plus size woman.
These are just of few of the amazing alumni that have been a part of the Full Figured Fashion Week® brand, there are many more. Question, Who are some of your favorites?
Have you attended Full Figured Fashion Week®? If so, what are some of your most memorable moments or connections made? Chime in ladies, we want to hear from you!
