AS REAL AS IT GETS…                                       

 “Be realistic!”  How many times have we heard that reprimand from someone trying to curb our enthusiasm or manage our expectations? 

Big confession: that admonishment makes my spine cringe.  I have always been a big dreamer, especially while I am awake.  If you combine aspiration with perspiration, the reality is that you can make a difference if you stay the course, and sometimes creating a new reality eventually has everything to do with being ‘unrealistic.’ I used to say, 'I sure hope things will change.' Then I learned that the only way things are going to change for me is when I instigate the change.  If we listened to reality, we’d believe that fashion is for thin people and there is no Santa Claus.  To quote John Sebastian, “Do you believe in magic?”  Well, all I can say is that overcoming reality often leads me to learning experiences both delightful and daring. 

A dream of mine has always been to unify the plus-size industry, and this past October, this dream finally made it to reality! 'Curventures' (curvy events and ventures) launched in NYC with an industry party and networking event open to both the plus-size industry and the curvy woman.

Products were sampled as well as specialty goods and services from some of today's finest companies. The evening ended with a fashion show of the latest designs and styles for all shapes of curvy. What a turn out!

There is so much to comment on, but here are two of my favorite 'newcomers' to the plus-size industry...

Belted Expressions...

With the demand for the ‘boho’ chic look making tiered skirts, peasant blouses and funky, low slung belts a virtual “must have’ , the need to find a wearable art resource for belts was becoming a downright obsession.  I met Sir Charles and discovered his artsy leather sashes and belt creations at a small vendor exhibition. We got to talking about designing for the full figured femme and he commented on how his wildly imaginative belts actually work BEST on the amply endowed frame. His designs are AmaZing and inspired... He told me of his time spent with Cherokee and Blackfoot relatives from his Native American ancestry, of his learning to stitch leather and hides and pelts and how he assembles his belts in a Ouija board like process, allowing the pieces themselves to dictate placement of the patches and configure themselves with his intuitive talent acting as channel and guide. His designs were a big hit judging from the reactions of the Curventures attendees (plus supermodel Emme flipped over them)! Check out his Website at www.wearableartcollection.com to purchase one of his masterful belts for you.

Dulce...

Some of the highlights for me after the evening happened when I tracked down “Curventures’ People’s Choice Award winner, designer Michelle Martinez, of Dulce.

A funny, animated Latin spitfire, with a good dose of curves herself, was in NYC the week following the show.  It seems she was capitalizing on being in New York and held a trunk show after the event in a rented space in Manhattan.  Michelle has been toying with opening a store, but with her real desire to bring great clothing to woman all across the United States, a traveling trunk show in cities across America may solve her reticence to just having one retail store in one city that makes her a slave to a single location.  Find out more about Dulce by visiting www.dulcestyle.com.

('Empowerment' Editor, Maddy Figueroa - Far Left & AmaZe Fit Writer
Terri Murray - Far Right along with Curventure's Guests)

(Emme and Catherine)

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