Featured Designers Of Full Figured Fashion Week TM 2012
6. FFFWeek: An International Outlook 7. Press Reception- Ylenia Lessio 13. The All White Affair Yacht Cruise -Serwa Collins 15. FFFWeek 2012 “Curves at Sea” -Various Writers 22. Full Figured Fashion Week @ Bloomingdales –Travelista Diva Monica 23. First Time Celebrating FFFWEEK -Serwa Collins 24. Curve, Connections & Cocktails 36. Follow Your Dreams –Cover Story 40. Indie Designer Showcase 62. Flaunt After Party 72. Runway Showcase & Industry Awards Ceremony 77. Model Motivation –Shay Rozay/Various Writers
Proud Media Sponsor of Full Figured Fashion Week
TM
2012
Photography By Mello
The All White Affair Yacht Cruise By Serwa Collins was absolutely phenomenal!! I flew in from Valdosta, GA just to be in attendance and it was well worth it!!! Although I had been preparing for months to attend, on the day of the event, I was very nervous! I was nervous because I was just an "aspiring model" that didn't know hardly anyone, so therefore, I didn't know what to expect nor who to expect to be there. More than anything I was super excited, yet nervous all at the same time to meet the beautiful mogul, Gwen DeVoe. However, that anxiety eased away as soon as I stepped on the yacht and was greeted at the door by Ms. DeVoe with a warm and sincere smile and bear hug!!! Immediately after, I felt that I belonged and knew that this was about to be an amazing yacht ride...& it indeed was just that!! Everyone was so beautiful in their all white and the power & opportunity of networking was in the air!!! I met some amazing women of class, professionalism, beauty, & curves!! Just to name a few - Jay Jarvis & Tip Jones of Pose Magazine, Shana Washington & Sakina Beverette of Eyani Couture, Designer Evie Foster, Mrs Full Figured USA, Miss Plus Size USA, Plus Model Kori Spencer, Web Designer Robert Estell, FBM photographers, and soo many more amazing designers, models, photographers, etc. Also, the food was amazingggggg!!! Everything from the steak tips down to the Caesar salad was wonderful!! I enjoyed myself and months later, I am still amazed and talking about my experience every chance that I get. Once again, Kudos to Ms. DeVoe, the DeVoe staff, & Sonsi for such a successful event & I look forward to what next year will bring!!
Photography By Mello
Photography By Mello
Photography By Mello
Photography By Mello
Follow Your Dreams
Written Evron Andrews
It was a breezy yet refreshing Friday night in February. My girlfriends and I were on our way to paint NYC red. I was only in town for a short stint so I was looking forward to enjoying myself and dancing all night. We decided to enjoy a performance and chill at Taj, a popular NYC night club. While there, one of my girls introduced me to someone that would trigger an incredible domino effect in my life. He, a photographer, said his name was Mel and that he owned a plus size magazine called Full Blossom. After a few moments of banter and expressing our goals and achievements in the plus size industry, the topic of Full Figured Fashion Week arose. He expressed how he was a sponsor the previous year and couldn’t wait for this year’s festivities. I told him I would love to be a part of FFFWeek 2012. He told me the deadline for walking the runway was that very night. Even though it was reasonably late, he urged me to follow my dreams, have faith, and see what happened. I immediately said goodnight to my girlfriends and rushed to get online. Though I knew I was running out of time, I made my submission for the runway with fingers crossed. Soon after, I received an email that depressed me. It said I had submitted too late and could not be accepted. I was crushed!! I heard an echo of Mel’s voice saying Follow Your Dreams and I decided to submit for the iconic position of the “FACE". I was confident but also realistic. There was tons of competition from so many other beautiful women around the world. As I went on with my life it gradually began to fade from my mind. Then I got the call. I was told that I had been selected. I was the new “FACE" of Full Figured Fashion Week 2012! I couldn’t believe my ears! O-M-GGGG! Even now, I’m still in shock! If I hadn’t followed my dreams with persistence, I would've never had the chance. Cont’d on page 39
AsI went on with my lifeit gradually began to fade from my mind. Then I got thecall‌
Follow Your Dreams cont’d My Full Figured Fashion Week experience was outstanding! I only thought of being a model on the runway. Being the FACE not only gave me worldwide exposure, but allowed people to learn who Vanessa was. They were introduced to the professional, the mother, and the woman. With that being said, I became an inspiration to women everywhere. I met so many wonderful people. I was truly living a dream. Since FFFWeek many doors of opportunity have opened up for me. I’ve had the honor of modeling for some incredible designers: Evie Foster, Curvato, Slimpressions, Theary Sim, Jibri, and more. My most recent modeling experience was in “Fro’ Fashion Week.” I am also excited to announce that I will be modeling in LA’s first Fashion Week! I love myself and this industry more and more everyday. I am thankful to God and everyone who has worked with me. I am so optimistic about the future. So now I urge any and everyone reading this, no matter what field you are in, to FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS! With a little persistence, prayer, and faith, the possibilities are endless!
Photography By Mello
Photography By Mello
Photography By Mello
Photography By Mello
Photography By Mello
Photography By Mello
Photography By Mello
Photography By Mello
Photography By Mello
Photography By Mello
Photography By Mello
Photography By Mello
Photography By Mello
Photography By Mello
Photography By Mello
Photography By Mello