Full Figured Fashion Week 2017 is pleased to announce that we will be honoring the achievements of the following individuals/businesses for their contributions in beauty, fashion and entertainment.
Robert E. Knight | Designer of the Year
I was born and raised in Brownsville (Brooklyn, NY). I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology, with a degree in Menswear. I started concentrating on creating Womenswear in 1995. In 1998 I elevated to creating full figure Womenswear. I have always been a fan of asymmetry, color and prints, and I enjoy injecting all three into that special one-of-a-kind something.
I have assisted at numerous high end companies, including Dolce and Gabanna, Zac Posen, Peter Som, Calvin Klein, just to name a few. My looks have been worn by "Dreamgirls" actress/singer Moya Angela, Cynthia Bailey from Altanta Housewives, Wendy Williams, R&B singer Monica, legendary singer Martha Wash, violinist/vocalist Tona Brown, supermodel Tyson Beckford, the late Issac Hayes, actress/comedian Kim Coles, actress/comedian Mugga Phoenix and choreographer Laurie Ann Gibson.
My ultimate goal is to open a boutique in Brooklyn. www.roberteknight.com
Liris Crosse | Model of the Year
Liris Crosse, dubbed “The “Body” and “The Naomi Campbell of Plus” is a model/actress and pioneer in the fashion industry for full-figured and African American women pushing curvy women into mainstream fashion!
She has graced magazines from American Vogue, Essence, British Cosmopolitan to Vibe as well as been featured in store campaigns for Lane Bryant and Ashley Stewart. Liris was named one of the “Top Ten Plus Models” in the industry by Vibe Vixen Magazine, the Huffington Post’s “Top Ten Most Popular Plus Models” and Dose.com named her one of the “Top 20 Models Destroying Traditional Beauty Standards”! Liris also made her mark in the video vixen market hailed one of the Eye Candy Models of the decade by XXL Magazine.
In 2013 in her home state of Maryland, Liris was presented with the Plus Print Model of the Year Award at the Fashion Awards MD as well as the Fashion 500 Award from The Block Association. The following year, she graced the first Black issue of Plus Model Magazine (February). Liris sashayed the runway for New York’s Full Figured Fashion Week and took her runway reign to British Plus Size Fashion Weekend in the UK and Plus Size Fashion Days in Germany. Her popularity there led to being selected as the cover model for Daily Venus Diva, Plus Model and Volup2 magazines. It was that same year Liris launched her Life of a Working Model Boot Camp which offers numerous classes to provide new generation of models with tips and strategies on how to break into the fashion industry and maintain and improve their craft. It has been successful series that has assisted women in signing with major agencies, modeling in high-level runway shows and gaining self-confidence and direction.
In addition to modeling, Liris has added several acting credits to her long resume. She appeared in the films "The Best Man", "Baby Boy" and on television series "The Wire" and Law & Order SVU. Recently, Liris was one of the signature curvy models for the promo commercial for BET/Centric's new show “Curvy Style With Timothy Snell”. She was also one of a few model selected to walk the runway for reality TV competition, Project Runway’s, first ever plus size collection at New York Fashion Week. She also became the first Black model to grace the Goddess Lingerie campaign in 2015. Liris is currently signed to IPM Models in NY, Dorothy Combs Models in Miami & Hughes Models in the UK. Her website is www.LirisC.com Liris is the very embodiment of her motto, “If you can think it, you can do it”. She has proven that anyone can make their dreams come true and is passionate about encouraging and motivating others to do the same. As her career continues to move forward whether through modeling, acting or mentoring, Liris Crosse is definitely one to watch!
LirisC.com | Facebook.com/LirisC | Facebook.com/LirisCrosse | Instagram.com/LirisC | Twitter.com/LirisC | Youtube.com/LC78 | Youtube.com/LOAWModel
The Pretty Big Movement | Dance Company of the Year
Akira Armstrong danced to the beat of her own path and breaks the mold in mainstream dance with her Pretty Big movement dance company.
Performing with Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson and Jazmine Sullivan are just some of highlights of Akira Armstrong’s trailblazing career. The 33-year-old dancer is working to create space for plus-size women in the mainstream dance industry. The South Bronx-native has worked tirelessly to champion this mission. She first began training at the Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center, where she learned and refined techniques in jazz, ballet, modern, hip-hop and Western African dance.
She continued to hone her craft while attending the Professional Performing Arts High School. This School opened many doors for Armstrong, including the opportunity to take classes at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, where today she teaches hip-hop dance. Her passion and talent followed Armstrong to Utica College. She studied public relations and served as president of the dance ensemble, Africa in Motion. As president, Armstrong ensured that she and her fellow peers set time to teach classes to teenagers in the community. This mindfulness and sense of community stuck with Armstrong throughout her career.
A barrier-breaking career
After finishing college, Armstrong performed with several dance companies including Jubilation Dance Company and the Bernice Johnson Dance Company. In 2007, she made her notable music video debut in Beyoncé’s “Get Me Bodied” and “Green Light” videos. Among the thousands who auditioned, choreographers selected Armstrong as a principal dancer in both videos. This choice marked a departure from the typical body type chosen for mainstream music videos. This opportunity led to collaborations with well-known choreographers including Frank Gatson, Rhapsody James and Danielle Polanco.
In 2011, Armstrong began working with legendary hip-hop duo Salt N’ Pepa, not as a dancer however, but as the group’s makeup artist. She took her makeup artistry on the road with Salt N’ Pepa for two years, traveling across the United States and abroad. In 2013, she returned to dance and performed with Jennifer Hudson on BET’s Black Girls Rock. Earlier this year, she performed with Jazmine Sullivan. While these impressive accomplishments mark her career, she has not forgotten to help make these opportunities available for others as well.
Creating space for others
Armstrong’s experience working as a plus-size dancer inspired her to start her own dance company, Pretty BIG Movement. First founded in 2006, Pretty BIG Movement houses ten dancers today. The group has performed at various venues and events including Ladies Of Hip Hop, Carnival, the Ms. Full Figured USA Pageant and the Female Hip Hop Honors. Recently, Pretty BIG Movement competed on Season 10 of America’s Got Talent.
Aside from performing, Pretty BIG Movement holds dance workshops catered to plus-size women. With these workshops, Armstrong and the company seek to create a judgment-free environment where plus-size dancers can feel free to learn, move and express themselves through dance. Armstrong hopes that these sessions will empower plus-size women to realize that their size cannot hold them back in whatever they hope to achieve. Her career, passions and dedication alone are proof of just that.
Chic and Curvy | Boutique of the Year
Chic And Curvy is a plus size fashion brand founded in Los Angeles, CA by, fashion blogger and stylist Melissa McElroy. The Chic And Curvy brand has consistently embodied fashion forward styling and provided quality apparel since 2012. What started off as a lifestyle blog, soon after transitioned into an e-commerce website and a flagship retail location in Inglewood, CA. The name has blossomed and thrives as a leading go to brand for the plus size woman's fashion essentials. Today Chic And Curvy, is most notably known as one of the top plus size e-commerce sites for women with curves.
The Chic And Curvy woman exudes CONFIDENCE, SEXINESS and SOPHISTCATION. Our mission is to empower women to embrace and rock their curves. We strive to provide stylish high quality plus size apparel and with an unforgettable customer experience. We are the premier destination for sexy, CHIC, ON-TREND plus size clothing.
Eloquii | Retailer of the Year
ELOQUII Design Inc., based in New York and Columbus, Ohio, is a private company that is transforming the way women sizes 12+ dress and participate in fashion. The pioneering e-commerce destination for contemporary fast fashion in sizes 12 to 28, ELOQUII, offers trend-driven style at accessible price points. The Company – in merchandise categories including apparel, wide width footwear and accessories – debuts new and exciting trend-leading collections each month. ELOQUII also offers customers access to unique content through its Style & Substance blog and curated catalogue, and has created an online community through its #XOQ hashtag, which allows customers to tag themselves to the Company’s site via Instagram. The brand is currently sold at their Washington D.C. concept store and through www.ELOQUII.com.