2017 Submissions

Jose Pagan is a fashion and art photographer based in New York City. He is also a photographer that gives back to his community by lending his expertise to recognized charities such as Milagros Day Worldwide and The X Collective. A product of the culturally rich Washington Heights area of Manhattan, he has used his creative mind to take the industry by storm with his eclectic art photography and fashion vision. He has a talent that garners a great deal of attention in today’s high-end market.

Jose attended State University at Brockport and City College; however, his drive for the surreal and mind bending brought him in another direction. Jose is a creator by blood. A normal 9 to 5 was not going to be enough to satiate the need to continue his journey. At first Jose Pagan started with short films and submitted them to festivals. However, he soon realized that he needed more control of his visions. Photography soon proved to be the nexus for his talents. Over three years ago he began the “Blacklight Photo Experiment.” It was a unique project utilizing UV (black lights) to capture nude subjects in surreal environments. It was a groundbreaking approach to a age old novelty. His nude art project has transcended the boundaries of art and fantasy.

Many in the fashion industry have noticed Jose Pagan’s artistic eye. Soon after his initial exposure with his art projects, Jose has been hired by businesses and organizations to translate their visions. Jose first started out being hand picked as East coast lead photographer for Designer Original, shooting several covers and many high end editorials. Since then the magazine world fell in love with Jose’s work. He has been published Elle UK, Harpers Bazaar UK, Elle Brazil, Heart & Soul, FabUplus & Souletter magazine. The Plus industry has always had a special appreciation for Jose, and in doing so he has shot three covers for Plus Model magazine and countless others. Jose also was tapped as Underwraps Agency’s lead photographer. An organization billed as Americas’ first Modest and Muslim modeling agency. He also undertook the assignment for Hunks4Hope a non-profit male eye-candy calendar for the benefit of domestic violence survivors. His newest venture is being editor-in-chief of iDare magazine, an art and fashion publication that knows no size or racial boundaries of art and the human experience.

With his recent photo tour events in various U.S. cities, Jose has ventured on a journey to be the peoples photographer unbound by beauty standards and false rules.

A camera does not bind Jose Pagan’s talents; he is a free spirited creator that uses whatever medium at his fingertips to bring his vision to life. To simply call him a photographer is an understatement, because there are few artists in the world that can build, design and execute bold and complex ideas on vast mediums. Art is a need that builds within his soul, and with this yearning, beautiful concoctions are disseminated throughout the world.

Marie Denee is an established and respected voice in the plus size fashion arena through her award-winning platform, The Curvy Fashionista.

With over eleven years of retail and business experience and armed with MBA in Marketing, Marie has made it her mission to continuously show women that they can be Curvy, Confident, and Chic through her platform and various events: TCFSwim, TCFStyle Brunches, and the TCFStyle Expo.

Marie has also worked with some of the top retailers and brands in the industry including Nordstrom, Chevrolet, Marina Rinaldi, Beyond the Rack, Old Navy, Ashley Stewart, and others through hosting, consulting, and strategic partnerships.

Marie has been featured in Lucky Magazine, Glamour Magazine, Black Enterprise Magazine, Marie Claire Italia, The London Times, The Wall Street Journal, Madame Noire, Shape Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, and many more!

Honey’s Child Boutique is owned by Letitia McPherson- Young. A fashion lover and full figure woman, Letitia chose the name Honey’s Child because it simply defines who she is. Throughout her teen years, she was always considered “thick” and people always told her she looks just like her mom, who her family affectionately calls Honey. Letitia says “my mom always made sure she took the time to show me how to put my clothes together, ensuring I flaunt my assets and conceal the non-assets.” Being fashionable was a very important part of her life. After researching she found that over 60% of American women wore a size 14 and above, yet very few retailers and boutiques catered to the “average” woman! She took all she learned during research, coupled it with her fabulous since of style and created the one of the hottest boutiques in St. Louis!

In addition to being the ultimate fashionista, Letitia also brings a vast amount of experience in the areas of customer service, retail and communications. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with an emphasis in Theory and Rhetoric from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She also hold a Master’s Degree in Management from Fontbonne University and an MBA from Webster University. Letitia has received numerous recognitions and awards since launching her fabulous boutique including being named Most Influential Woman in Business by Alive Magazine (September 2012), Delux Magazine Power 100 Recipient (December 2016) and Missouri Style Week Stylist Challenge first place winner ( August 2014) to just name a few. She’s been featured in several publications including The St. Louis American, Delux Magazine, Alive Magazine, Plus Model Magazine, Fab U-Plus Magazine and USA Today.

Honey's Child Boutique was created to offer plus size fashion-lovers a fantastically curated collection of indie designer, trendy and contemporary apparel and accessories.

Terri Murray is the Director of Terri Murray Models and Terri Murray Image. In 2016, Terri was honored as a "Legend" in the modeling industry by Full Figured Fashion Week. In 2011, she was awarded the Plus Fit Model of the Year award by them as well. Having become a model AFTER she became a grandmother, Terri's work includes being a former QVC House Fit Model, a Lane Bryant House Fit Model and being signed with Ford, NY and MSA Models NYC.

Her television appearances include the Tyra Banks Show, the TODAY Show and NBC Nightly. Terri is affectionately nicknamed Grandma New York by her two daughters and 4 granddaughters ages 12-23 and as the Glamorous Grandma on the TODAY show.

When Terri is not fitting for clients or walking the runway, she is a sought after seminar speaker and medicare educator and has received the Women of Service Award in New York City.

Terri's passion is to help others. She has volunteered at the New York Women's Shelter, the Bottomless Closet in NYC, and the Cornerstone Learning Center in NYC, to name a few.

Terri believes that the last half of your life will be even better than the first. She wants all women, particularly plus women, to know that it's a great time to be a plus woman and an even greater time to be a mature woman!