Queen Size Magazine January 2017 Issue

ARTICLE TITLE | BY AUTHOR

JANUARY 2017 ISSUE

MAKING QUEEN SIZE MOVES

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Fashion + Lifestyle Cover Model

Cover image by Rick Jones

SHAKIRA HOWARD ASPIRING MODEL ON THE RISE

BABY STEPS TO HEALTHY EATING HOLIDAY GLAMOUR NATIONAL CURVES DAY RECAP THE POWER OF THE HASHTAG

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BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT CATHERINE ASHLY ENTREPRENEUR SPOTLIGHT KSECRET

+ FEATUREDMODELS CARINE CALIXTE TOP 2016 EDITOR’S PICKS INSIDE WWW.QUEENSIZEMAGAZINE.COM| JANUARY 2017 ISSUE

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Photography | Philip Drew, PDrew Photography Pants and Cardigan | Avenue Boots | Ashley Stewart

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ARTICLE TITLE | BY AUTHOR MAKING QUEEN SIZE MOVES

FROM THE EDITOR Tawana Blassingame Founder & Editor in Chief Photography | PDrew Photography Dress | SWAK Jaket | Ashley Stewart

Welcome to the January 2017 issue of Queen Size Magazine. I hope you all are ready for 2017 because I am. Allow me a moment to reflect back on 2016; it was a great year and I was fortunate to meet so many great people. I was fortunate enough to provide opportunities to many writers, entrepreneurs, models, photographers, etc. I was even fortunate enough to attend some great events.

When I look back at how far the plus size industry has come, I realize that we have a long way to go but I also realize that we have come a long way. While we are still making strides I want to remind everyone not to lose sight of the big goal.

Remember that we are trying to sell an industry and not sell ourselves. In 2016 we had some beautiful models grace our pages; models who have worked with very talented photographers. In this issue I have chosen a few of my favorite submissions from models and photographers to republish; kind of a reflection so to speak.

2017 will bring some great things for Queen Size Magazine so make sure you be on the lookout for it.

Please enjoy this issue and feel free to send us an email to queensizemagazine@ gmail.com and let us know what you would like to see added. Thank you for your continued support.

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MAKING QUEEN SIZE MOVES

MASTHEAD TAWANA BLASSINGAME CEO/Editor In Chief PHILIP DREW Executive Director NICOLE FRANTZ Assistant Editor & EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE EDITOR NATALIE DAWN Assistant Editor CRYSTAL CARMEN Beauty Editor DARSHI SHAH Assistant Editor CARRIECE JEFFERSON Assistant Editor DOUG SWAIM Director of Photography for the DMV area DIONNE REEVES-GRUBBS Model Recruitment Manager

Photography | Philip Drew, PDrew Photography Model | Shakira Howard Hair and Makeup done by model

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CONTENTS FEATURED STORY

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SHAKIRA HOWARD: MODEL ON THE RISE

By QSM

HEALTH AND FITNESS

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BABY STEPS TO HEALTHY EATING

By QSM

BEAUTY&FASHION

MODEL SPOTLIGHTS

JANUARY 2017 ISSUE

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30

SPOTLIGHT: CATHERINE 08 BLOGGER ASHLY MEESHA ANN

IN-STORE FASHION SHOW RE14 AVENUE CAP

By MEESHA ANN

20 HOLIDAY GLAMOUR

By CRYSTAL CARMEN

BUSINESS

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NATIONAL CURVES DAY RECAP

By QSM

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35 ENTREPRENEUR SPOTLIGHT - KSECRET

By QSM

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THE POWER OF THE HASHTAG

By QSM

36 32 18

33

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HEALTH AND FITNESS

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Baby steps to healthy eating Being healthy does not mean that you have to live by the rules of a chart. For instance, the BMI (Body, Mass Index) chart says that if you are 5’5� tall you should weigh between 112-150lbs; anything over that then you are considered overweight.

Now how many of us actually fall within those guidelines? I am not even close. But does that make me unhealthy? Maybe, maybe not. Does that put me at a higher risk of getting Diabetes, Cancer, or some other form of ailment? Maybe, maybe not. In my opinion, being healthy is more about feeling good, energetic and eating foods that are healthier to keep your body working right. I never diet; to me dieting is a temporary solution to a bigger problem (no pun intended). The key is to changing your eating habits so that you can get your body used to that lifestyle. Eating fast foods everyday is NO good for any of us; whether you are big or small. I am going to share with you a few tips on how some things that you can enjoy without feeling like you are missing out on your flavors.

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BABY STEPS TO HEALTHY EATING| QSM

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1.

Counting Calories and Carbohydrates work for some but not for all. If you are one that can do the counting then by all means go for it. But if you are not, then do like I do; I tend to eat with my eyes. I like presentation so I tend to add color to my plate. Make sure to always add some pretty greens to your plate; greens are very good for you. Try to stay with the fresh greens or the frozen ones. You can sauté your greens in garlic and onions for a different taste. YUM!!!

If you are like me and you LOVE chicken; bake your chicken instead of frying it, it’s much healthier for you. Add some sliced up red, orange and yellow peppers when baking your chicken as well; it adds beautiful colors to your plate and provides the body with an excellent source of vitamins.

2.

Put that big plate back in the cabinet and get a smaller plate. Your portions don’t need to be so grand in order to get fulfilled. We tend to overstuff our plates when we don’t need to. Go get a smaller plate and eat slower. Give your brain time to tell you when to stop eating. If you rely on your stomach to tell you then you will end up spread out on the couch with stomach cramps unable to move for hours. Then you more than likely eat on a full stomach, which they tell us not to do ALL the time.

3.

Baby steps…. What does that mean? That means that you don’t have to make all your changes at once. Take it one step at a time. Once one change becomes habit for you, then move onto another change. Continue to that until you are comfortable. You will notice that your weight begins to drop and you begin to feel healthier inside and out. Do Not Pay Attention to your weight loss. This is the easiest way to backslide. Once you begin to get into the habit of eating healthy you will realize that it is hard to go back to eating unhealthy. The keyword is HABIT! You MUST get yourself and your body into good habits just as you got yourself and your body into bad habits. Reverse the cycle the same way you set it. Once you get into the habit of eating smaller portions, it is going to be hard to stuff yourself. Your stomach size begins to shrink, which will limit the amount of food that you can hold without feeling sick.

4.

Be realistic with yourself. Don’t say to yourself that you are never going to eat fast food again. If you want to cheat then do it smart. Start out by eating out less then you already do. And again, do it in baby steps. Eat smaller portions; try getting a kids meal instead of a whole value meal. Choose wiser from the menu; instead of a burger, get a fish or a grilled chicken sandwich. And try to stay away from the sodas.

We don’t need to follow diets to get healthy and we don’t need to fool ourselves into thinking that this is a 90 challenge.

This is a healthy lifestyle challenge. Listen to your body, and most importantly, listen to your common sense. We know what’s bad for us and we know what we need to do change things. Baby Steps to a healthier life.

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

PLUSSIZEMEPLZ

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Photography | Zakiyah Caldwell Styling and creative direction | Corrinn Chishimba Hair and makeup | Catherine Ashly Beauty

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BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT - CATHERINE ASHLY |QSM

CATHERINE ASHLY Cosmetologist, Master Educator & Plus Model

Strength, inner beauty and art personified are all fair and accurate descriptions for Catherine Ashly. Her career began much like most artists, at an early age. Catherine found herself consumed with helping young girls express their inner beauty to their outside canvas and she has not stopped.

After serving as a traveling stylist, Catherine began her professional career as a licensed cosmetologist in 2012. Since then, she furthered her craft and is now a licensed Master Educator of Cosmetology.

Catherine’s outside of the box approach to teaching encourages students to identify their specialties. By celebrating their artistic differences, she prepares them for a long lasting career. Through Catherine Ashly Beauty, Catherine continues to help her clients see themselves in a light that promotes self-love; one of many reasons that named her business one of Philadelphia’s top salons.

As life would have it, challenges forced Catherine to find the very strength she taught others to find in themselves. After ending an abusive relationship, she stopped at nothing to regain her confidence. This new profound self-love landed her in pageants fashion shows and modeling campaigns. In true Catherine Ashly form, she knocked down boundaries and surpassed all expectations. She was a winner and

featured in Ashley Stewart’s “Love your curves tour” 2015 Campaign, and was crowned 1ST runner up in the 2014 Miss FULL FIGURED USA pageant. In 2016, Catherine Ashly began a new venture to create a new body positive brand called “PLUSSIZEMEPLZ”. Inspired by her interactions with beautiful women of the plus community, this new entity is designed to bring the plus community of the greater Philadelphia area Together through events and forums. Her first event, “The Swim Soiree” was very successful and motivated her to create a blog to better connect with her audience.

Catherine continues to leave a lasting positive impression on all who encounter her motivational energy on and off the runway. Her mantra empowers all women to appreciate the skin that they are in, flaws and all.

A West Philadelphia native, Catherine Ashly’s brand affects the tristate area with the sky as the limit. Her infectious smile continues to inspire all whom she encounters. While Catherine continues to break boundaries in all things beauty, her greatest accomplishments include sharing a life of love with James Burke, Jr. and her two sons, William & James, III. A stylist, an educator, an entrepreneur, a model, lover, mother, daughter, sister and friend, no label is large enough for the incomparable Catherine Ashly.

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

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”If I have an interest in it I want to be the best.”

Photography | Zakiyah Caldwell Styling and creative direction | Corrinn Chishimba Hair and makeup | Catherine Ashly Beauty

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Photography | Zakiyah Caldwell Styling and creative direction | Corrinn Chishimba Hair and makeup | Catherine Ashly Beauty

BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT - CATHERINE ASHLY |QSM 11

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

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QSM: My dear Catherine, you have such a genuine and beautiful spirit about you. Not to mention you are absolutely beautiful. Have you always had such confidence?

Catherine: My parents instilled confidence in me from when I was a child. They were also heavy but it never bothered them. Everyone in my family was big so I had no reason to not like what I saw when I looked in the mirror. Life’s experiences will emotionally tear you down though, I lost confidence for a moment and had to get it back; but I’ll tell you about that later lol.

QSM: Tell us something about Catherine that would surprise us?

Catherine: I can sing. I was raised in the church and with a family of performers. It was only natural for me to not be afraid of the spotlight.

QSM: You began your career as a traveling stylist; can you tell us more about what that is exactly and who you worked with?

Catherine: Mobile styling is where the brand “Catherine Ashly” began. I was separating from my husband and needed more income. I was always doing hair but never took it seriously. I would promote my styles on craigslist and offer to travel to my clients. The option to get their hair done at home was a HIT! People hated the idea of going to a salon and sitting all day long. I offered great service, reasonable prices and did it in the comfort of their own home. One of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

QSM: So what got you into cosmetology?

Catherine: After doing mobile styling for about a year, I noticed how profitable this business could be. Like many things that I do, if I have an interest in it I want to be the best. Going to school was a new beginning for me. I had the skill, but I wanted to educate my clients on what was best for their hair. I never wanted to be the typical “assembly line” stylist that never cared for her clients and only wanted their money. I wanted to be more like a hair doctor. You tell me your concerns, we work through them, and we heal your hair together.

QSM: I know we talked some about you walking away from an abusive relationship, which by the way I must commend you on. So you got into modeling as a way of regaining your confidence? Tell us more.

Catherine: Abuse is a scary thing, especially emotional abuse. I honestly didn’t know that I was in an emotionally abusive relationship until I was losing my mind in it. Once I tried to break free it started getting physical. I fought for my life many times and many days fought to not lose my mind. Hearing that you mean nothing over and over might change the way you think about yourself. I’m so thankful for pictures though, I’ve always been a learner through

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imagery. I would look at my old pictures and tell myself, you have to get back to that confident bold and carefree woman. It took years and hard work, even therapy but I did it, and other women can too!

I actually started modeling because I was being a rebel. I always wanted to try it but my ex wouldn’t allow it because of his insecurities. So when we broke up I said what better way to get back at him than to get my power back; by being who he said I never would be. After I did it for a few months I realized this was really for me! I’m so glad I pushed myself to do it. I’ve met so many wonderful women along the way and I in turn have been able to create a platform to touch other women who are going through or have gone through what I’ve been through.

QSM: Tell us about your first experience in modeling and how it came to be.

Catherine: My first modeling opportunity was in high school.

I was the only “plus size model” in the show. I didn’t know where to go so I ended up going to ASHLEY STEWART asking if they sponsor clothes and they did! I was so well dressed, and looked so nice. When I started back at it again I never forgot how it made me feel. I still have a light that shines through me every time I hit a runway.

QSM: So I feel like everything for you has come full circle.

You began as a stylist and you are now blogging. Were you always a writer?

Catherine: In college my English professor told me, “you are a relatable writer, you write the way that you talk”. I always took it as a compliment. Now that I blog, I want to be able to write about things that matter; you know, things people can relate to. I use to journal a lot at some point in my life, I feel like blogging is like an open journal to my fashion, and opinion on life and the world around me.

QSM: Your brand is called PLUSSIZEMEPLZ; how did you come up with the name?

Catherine: PLUSSIZEMEPLZ was the old “Catherine Ashly”, trying to find herself. My old Instagram name was plussizemeplz, but after I started branding I changed my name to Catherine Ashly and kept it. When I decided to start this new body positive brand, I chose to use my IG name because it had meaning to me. PLUSSIZEMEPLZ was a fun identity for me. I was free to be who I was with that name. The “Catherine Ashly brand” is more structured and business oriented (hair artist, makeup artist mommymogul, advocate for lupus, and autism). PLUSSIZEMEPLZ is the fun care free side of me that likes to show the world that you can be classy & sassy too, and your size has nothing to do with that! So embrace yourself and love you for YOU! (The PLUS Model, dancer, singer, body positive advocate)

BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT - CATHERINE ASHLY |QSM

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QSM: You have well over 30 thousand followers on instagram alone; that must have taken a lot of work. How did you do it?

Catherine: I took my time and studied how Instagram works.

You find a common focus and use lots of hashtags and post A LOT! The only hard part about it is keeping up with the posting.

It’s a lot of work.

share the details of that?

Catherine: Our upcoming event is “The branding breakfast” with Gwen Devoe and Sharon Quinn. They will be discussing how to be a successful model during the 2017 casting season.

This is the first time they will be doing it in Philadelphia so I hope people support.

QSM: There are many people trying to get to those numbers and beyond; what advice can you offer to them?

Catherine: My advice would be to be consistent, followers want consistency; post a few times a day. I know it’s a lot of work, but HEY your brand depends on it.

QSM: Besides that, what else are you cooking up that you can share or even hint at?

Catherine: You have to stay tuned…… Lots a fun and empowerment for sure!

QSM: Do you have any favorite brands and styles?

Catherine: I love so many styles it’s hard to name them all.

The look I’m going for determines where I shop. I love trendy looks, so I’ll go to Charlette Russe and Forever 21 a lot for those looks. I also love places like K&G and Burlington; I feel like I get one of a kind things there for a good price. I love the curvy stores too like Lane Bryant, Ashley Stewart, and Avenue because they are true to size and I can always get casual looks from them. I like to mix and match, can’t you tell? lol QSM: Do you still style people?

Catherine: Only when asked, One day I would love to try Wardrobe styling. For now I only style myself and my mom, that’s good enough for the moment lol.

QSM: Who inspires you?

Catherine: Well, Ms Devoe , Ashley Graham, Corrinn Chishimba, Zakiyah Caldwell, Frankie Travares, Barrett Rosser, Rakia Reyonalds, My mother (Jean Williams), My boyfriend (James Burke), BEST FRIENDS ( Sarah davis, Tasha K, Sean K, Dion P, Chanel A)….and a host of other names. I get inspired by anything honestly. I admire people by their gifts and the support they give me during this journey.

QSM: Tell us about the The Swim Soiree.

Catherine: FTLOC: Swim Soiree was an event designed and created by The Catherine Ashly Brand in conjunction with PlusSizeMePlz to celebrate, uplift, and empower the plus sized woman in the Philadelphia Market. Unique in its likeness, this event served as an introduction of plus positive events in this market! Guests enjoyed food, fun, fashion, and Fabulosity all under one roof.

QSM: You have another event coming up soon; can you

QSM: Kudos to you on all your accomplishments thus far and continued success. You do all of this while still being a full time mom. I am not going to ask how you do it because I already know. We are SuperMoms; we just get it done. Keep up the great work. Before you go please share your website info with everyone so they can follow and stay up to date with what you have coming up.

Catherine: Yes it’s just that simple, WE ARE SUPER MOMS! We don’t have a choice but to make things happen and set an example for our children. My mother was a hard worker and accomplished anything she put her mind to. I want the same thing for my children. Everything I do is for the love of them; I DON’T want them to ever feel like they can’t be who they want to be. All they have to do is believe in themselves and dream, DREAM BIG! My personal website is under construction, soon to be released in 2017. Its www.catherineashly.com, my blog site is up and running now and its www.plussizemeplz.com

Photography | Zakiyah Caldwell Styling and creative direction | Corrinn Chishimba Hair and makeup | Catherine Ashly Beauty

QSM: What can people expect to see when they open up your blog site?

Catherine: As the brand continues to grow I would like to see more collaboration with other bloggers. People can now see events that have passed. They can read up on my mission and also read the blog with consist of lifestyle and style topics.

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

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In-store fashion show with Queen Size Magazine Danbury, CT 20 Backus Avenue

First, we have to say thank you to The Avenue Store in Danbury, CT for inviting us out to do their in-store fashion show. It was an incredible experience; the staff was very hospitable and accommodating to our needs. I was happy with how organized everything was. There were six models in total and we all got the opportunity to model three different outfits that we put together ourselves, in front of a store full of customers. The customers were buying the outfits that we were wearing; I have to say that was a very proud moment for all of us because after all a model’s job is to sell the clothing and that we did. All of the models did a superb job; they were all a pleasure to work with.

I loved the store as well; it was very neat and structured. Everything was so easy to find, so I have to give props to the staff for that as well. I live in Connecticut, about an hour and fifteen minutes away and I would not mind taking the drive to shop there because their customer service is impeccable. I definitely would not mind doing another show there as well (hint hint).

Until next time Danbury, thank you from Meesha Ann and the entire staff at Queen Size Magazine. You ROCK!!!!

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AVENUE IN-STORE FASHION SHOW | MEESHA ANN

Model | Meesha Ann Photography | Philip Drew, PDrew Photography

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Model | Dorothy Gonzalvez Photography | Philip Drew, PDrew Photography

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

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Model | Brittany Wilborn Photography | Philip Drew, PDrew Photography

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Model | Shaniece Petgrave Photography | Philip Drew, PDrew Photography

AVENUE IN-STORE FASHION SHOW | MEESHA ANN

Model | Andriena Baldwin Photography | Philip Drew, PDrew Photography

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Model | Catherine Ashly Photography | Philip Drew, PDrew Photography

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The #1 FREE SHOPPING EVENT IN BEAUTY PHILLY!AND FASHION

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ARTICLE TITLE | BY AUTHOR

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

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BEHIND THE GLAM

By CRYSTAL CARMEN

Holiday Glamour

Glitter is everywhere this season, here’s how to pull off the Glittery Glamour

Begin with Clean, Clear Skin.

Holiday Glitter and Glamour!

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2

3

PLAN

BASE

PAT, PAT, PAT

Choose where you want to sparkle.

Eyes or Lips. Want to do both? New Year’s Eve is Perfect!

Apply a thin layer of lash glue or glitter adhesive to your lid. For lips, apply a generous layer of nonmatte lip color.

Pick up glitter with a ßat concealer brush and pat onto to the eyelid only.

For lips, pat glitter in sections until lips are covered.

4

5

6

ADD DEPTH

LINER AND LASHES!

FINAL TIPS.

Using a Blending Brush add darker eyeshadow into the crease right above the glitter and blend.

While you can skip falsies, don’t skip the mascara, this look works best with liner and mega lush lashes.

Apply your glitter lids before you apply your foundation

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Choose a glitter that matches the base lipstick 1 for a super glam effect.

Add Highlighter to your cheekbones like “Sponsored” by Pink Stiletto Cosmetics

Craft Glitter is not the same as Cosmetic Grade Glitter. Ask before you buy to be sure. The wrong glitter can cause eye injuries.

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

Photography | Philip Drew, PDrew Photography Model | Shakira Howard Hair and Makeup done by model

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SHAKIRA HOWARD| QSM

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Photography | Philip Drew, PDrew Photography Model | Shakira Howard Hair and Makeup done by model

SHAKIRA HOWARD

”Having a positive attitude goes a long way.”

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BUSINESS

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QSM: Tell me about life growing up for you Shakira.

Shakira: I grew up Springfield, Virginia a small suburb outside of DC. I was the youngest child in a family of five children. I was very loved and protected. I was blessed with a very close group of friends that I am still close with today. In my free time I played sports, read a lot and explored my creative side.

QSM: Have you always been a plus size Diva?

Shakira: I have always been plus size. Although my weight has fluctuated, I have been about a 14/16 since I was about 14 years old. At the time there wasn’t as much representation as there is now for plus girls, so it was difficult to not compare of feel out of place. It wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I looked in the mirror and began loving and owning my curves.

QSM: Tell me something about you that would shock people to hear.

Shakira: I’m very introverted! I have an alternate persona that I turn on when I shoot or walk a runway. I haven’t named her yet, but she’s fierce and she loves all of the attention lol. My natural persona would rather be cuddled up reading a book and listening to oldies lol.

QSM: You are a Chef? Your fiancé must be pretty damn happy. Lol. What are your specialties?

Shakira: I am! I was a pastry chef but I dabbled in savory as well. He is lol! In the past I had a cupcake company. My red velvet cupcakes were always a best seller.

QSM: As I understand it, you had to put your chef business on hold to care for your son?

Shakira: I actually developed the business after I decided to leave my job as Executive Pastry Chef to care for my son. He was around 2 at the time and we hadn’t quite figured out his asthma and allergies so he was constantly sick. I started baking in my free time at home and I would pass out the goods to friends, family and neighbors. My brother suggested that I go into business and I ran with it! I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world.

QSM: Do you plan on going back to being a Chef?

Shakira: I don’t think you ever stop being a chef. I still enjoy cooking and baking and I know that it is something that I could always fall back on. I would love to go to school to learn more about being a Holistic Chef! I aim to create food that heals people.

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QSM: How and why did you join the modeling industry?

Shakira: About a year ago I saw on social media that there were Full Figured Fashion Week tryouts in New York. I was feeling spontaneous so I booked a ticket the night before and went to try out. The energy was amazing and I met some really great women whom I am still in contact with. I made the second to last cut and it was then that I realized that I could do it. After that I dove in head first with classes and castings so that I could learn more about the craft.

QSM: How long have you been modeling now?

Shakira: I’ve been modeling for almost a year now!

QSM: In this short timeframe you have hit some major runways.

There are some models that have been working for some years and have still not made the cut. What would you say makes you stand out and be noticed?

Shakira: I am so grateful to have been able to experience all of it! I would say having a positive attitude goes a long way. I understand that I am only a small part of a bigger picture and if selected I am there to make someone else’s vision come true. Persistence doesn’t hurt either. Think of a “No” as a not yet. Do the work until it becomes an undeniable “Yes!”.

QSM: What is that feeling like when you hit the runway or when you are doing a photo shoot?

Shakira: It’s indescribable! You definitely get a performer’s high knowing that for that moment all eyes are on you.

QSM: When you hear the term Queen Size, what does that mean to you?

Shakira: To me Queen Size means something sized large enough that it is exclusively for Queens. Whether it’s be a blessing, responsibility, etc. it is meant only for a Queen.

QSM: In your opinion, name three things that you would like to see change our industry.

Shakira: The 3 things that I would like to see change in the plus model industry. 1. More diverse body shapes, every plus woman isn’t coke bottle shaped with large breasts. We have pears, apples, small chested etc. 2. More affordable “plus sized” clothing. We want to be able to be fly on a budget. 3. I would also love to see more plus male models.

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Photography | Philip Drew, PDrew Photography Model | Shakira Howard Hair and Makeup done by model

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Photography | Philip Drew, PDrew Photography Model | Shakira Howard Hair and Makeup done by model

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BUSINESS

ARTICLE TITLE | BY AUTHOR

Photography | Philip Drew, PDrew Photography Model | Shakira Howard Hair and Makeup done by model

PHOTOGRAPHY BY | JOSE PAGAN MUA & HAIR | RAYYAN AKHDAR STYLIST | STYLES LEWIS OF ICHANGESTYLES STYLIST ASST | CAMILLE LOOK COURTESY OF LORD & TAYLOR TOP | MELISSA MCCARTHY/SEVEN BRAND / COLOR: COWHIDE BROWN BOTTOM: RALPH LAUREN / COLOR: CLIFF TAN SHOE | SAM EDELMAN ACCESSORIES | NY&CO

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QSM: Drop the plus or keep the plus; which side are you on?

Shakira: This is an interesting question as I’ve gone to fittings and castings where I was either “too small” or too large” for their needs. Due to these experiences I would say drop it. A model is a model. Either she is the size you are looking for or she is not. All models put in the same amount of work and effort to be relevant in the industry.

QSM: What are three of the most important things that a model should have, in your opinion?

Shakira: A positive, teachable attitude, unshakeable confidence and a reason why they are doing what they are doing to help keep them motivated.

QSM: You seem to have a pretty supportive family; how important is that to you?

Shakira: I do! It’s everything to me. Whether it’s my son telling me I’m the best Mommy in the world or my fiance amping me up before a casting, I couldn’t do it without them.

QSM: Now I have seen your daughter; she definitely has some potential there. Would you let her get into the modeling industry?

Shakira: She does! Her confidence is unmatched lol. She already has some experience and is taking acting classes now. She accompanied me to the Brooklyn Fashion Week casting and was practicing with me outside of the casting room. A designer saw her and selected her to walk for her Children’s show in BKFW. She killed it!

QSM: How does sharing a runway with your daughter make you feel? That has got to be a dream come true for you?

Shakira: We haven’t had the chance to do so yet but the thought of it excites me. I look at Mother /Daughter teams like The Ellis’ and I can only imagine what fond memories her daughter will have when she is older. That is such a great gift to be able to give as a mother. Soon!

QSM: What can we expect from you as a model?

Shakira: You can expect to see me representing the God I serve while breaking down barriers and inspiring women everywhere to put on their crowns.

QSM: Where can people follow you Shakira?

Shakira: You can find me on Instagram: @thequeen_Shakira or on Facebook.com/PlusModelShakira or email me at Shakirathemodel@gmail.com !

QSM: Any final thoughts before we close out this interview?

Shakira: I just want to thank Queen Size Magazine for the opportunity! It has been a pleasure.

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Photography | Philip Drew, PDrew Photography Model | Shakira Howard Hair and Makeup done by model

QSM: Where do you see yourself in the next three years?

Shakira: In the next three years I see myself doing some major campaigns and helping to further blur the line between straight and plus modeling. I would like to start a program to motivate and empower young women as well.

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Carine Calixte

My name is Carine Calixte I’m a mother, daughter, sister and friend.

More importantly I’m a child of God. I’m a classically trained private chef and plus size model. I use both food and fashion to express myself artistically. I want to be an inspiration in the modeling industry; we need to break the ”beauty standard” and show that beauty comes in different shapes, sizes, skin tones, hair textures etc.

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CARINE CALIXTE | MODEL SPOTLIGHT

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Photo Credits: Photography | Iris Mackinnon Photography Hair/Makeup/Stylist | Carine Calixte WWW.QUEENSIZEMAGAZINE.COM| JANUARY 2017 ISSUE

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NATIONAL CURVES DAY 2016

BUSINESS

The Plus Size industry is really taking the world by storm. We have fashion weeks, designers that cater to our bodies, pageants, magazines for us, talk shows and so much more; add National Curves Day to that list. This past October Queen Size Magazine had the pleasure of not only attending, but covering this ground breaking event. It was a packed house with people who have traveled from state to state to support yet another event for us. I must say that it was very well organized and the designers bought variety. KSecret and her team did an amazing job representing the Plus Industry with this event. The host for the night, Ms. Monica Day, was quite entertaining as well. Love her little rendition of Beyonce; yes, honey we saw that.

Oh let’s not forget the models that tore the runway up; KUDOS to all involved. Some very influential individuals in our industry were also acknowledged and awarded for their contributions to the growth of the plus size industry. Congratulations Jessica Bullock on her Curvy Bombshell Award, Lakisha Ellis on her E3 Achievement Award, Michael Kaplan on his Business Achievement Award, Alexandra Boos on her Humanitarian Award and Gwen Devoe on her E3 Legacy Award.

They were all very deserving.

Hope to see you all next year because we are in there for sure.

All images in this feature shot by Philip Drew of PDrew Photography

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NATIONAL CURVES DAY RECAP| QSM

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All images in this feature shot by Philip Drew of PDrew Photography

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BUSINESS

National Curves Day Honorees

All images in this feature shot by Philip Drew of PDrew Photography

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fashion forward curvy designer, and advocate for plus positive body imaging; ”Because Every Curve Is Beautiful!”

Photography by Philip Drew of PDrew Photography

KSecret’s passion for fashion began at the very young age of two, when she insisted on dressing herself. Growing up she’d often altered garments for a polished fit as she developed her curves. Before graduating high school she secured a retail management position and for three years learned the basics of business. A few years later, she opened a brick and mortar; this was the beginning of her seeking a place in the fashion market as a retailer. Although successful, it was difficult for K.Secret to find manufactured garments/ vendors to fit the curvy hourglass figure of customers like herself; very frustrated she resorted to altering inventory to compliment the shape of her curvy customers. Eventually, she constructed an entire garment and from there was inspired to design for women with the same curvy women complexes she has.

National Curves Day also known as NCD was birthed from a personal body image struggle of KSecret, Creative Director and CEO of Jon Marc|Seven Curves.

During the years of 2013-2015, on Wednesday’s, for roughly 130 weeks she posted plus positive messages under her business social media channels dubbing Wednesday’s (”hump-day”) as Curves Day. The initial posts were created to encourage her to love who she see when she look in the mirror and to remind herself she is beautiful and her curves are not a curse.

After unintentionally skipping a Wednesday her inbox and DM’s were filled with women telling her how much her weekly post meant to them and they look forward to that inspiration. Over the course of two and a half years, the following and feedback from women sharing their stories inspired her to make the movement a revolution, and to petition for a National Day to be a celebratory movement for the empowerment of the curvy and plus size community. This would encourage women to: embrace and love who they are, stop body shaming (not just from society but to self), and remember ”Validation is for Parking”..so, the hell with what society has to say.

K.Secret Dunbar, a Washington, DC native and mother of two girls, is CEO/ Founder /Creative Director of Jon Marc|Seven Curves and Founder of National Curves Day. She prides herself on being a devoted loving mom, edgy

A stickler for perfection she closed the business and pursued a full time degree in Fashion Design and Retail Management at the Art Institute of Washington. Through research she discovered her niche market needed her creativity and fashion forward style. Shortly before receiving a Bachelor’s Degree, she revamped and rebranded the business to Jon Marc –the clothing line for women with hourglass curves sizes 10-18, and Seven Curves – the online boutique for eclectic women XS-3X; often seen together as Jon Marc|Seven Curves. Less than six months post graduation, she debuted her first collection during New York Fashion Week, and has since been invited to and/or showcased in: Washington DC, St. Thomas VI, New York, Vancouver, Miami, and London.

Her Jon Marc Collection has been featured in several publications and landed the cover of Curvysta Magazine October 2014 Issue.

Less than a year after completing her degree she enrolled in a dual Master’s program and as of May 2016 received an MBA from University of Maryland. As if being a mom, school, and running a business wasn’t stressful enough, she began to struggle with her body image. Due to her drive and determination she decided to post weekly affirmations such as plus positive body images, and encouraging words to love who she see when looking in the mirror. She didn’t realize she’d be as encouraging other women to do the same at every size. So After 2 ½ years of dubbing the weekly Wednesday post that advocated for women to embrace, encourage and be empower by who they are; not only in the curvy/plus positive community but every woman. Her team petition for Curves Day to become a National Day. On October 3rd, National Curves Day, mandated by proclamation by Lawrence J. Hogan Jr., Governor of the State of Maryland, Lt. Governor, and Secretary of State, is to be observed on the second full week Wednesday of October each year. This day is to celebrate the curvy/plus size community by promoting body positivity and health. The inaugural kick off to the annual celebration was Wednesday, October 14, 2015, the founder’s birthday.

Model | MAllory Richardson Photography by Casha Dess WWW.QUEENSIZEMAGAZINE.COM| JANUARY 2017 ISSUE

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THE POWER OF THE HASHTAG That pound sign on the phone has come a mighty long way. It is not just a prompt for English anymore. It is more than just a tic tac toe game. It was become a powerful marketing tool for businesses. It is the hashtag.

Let’s talk about hashtags and how they can work for your business. The first thing that you should think about before you put anything out on social media is YOUR BRAND! When you use hashtags you are generally creating another space on the World Wide Web where people can go and learn more about you, who you are, and what you have to offer. When you are online and you click on this individual hashtags, you will be directed to another page with all the posts that ever contained that particular hashtag.

It’s amazing to me because it’s quite comparable to the highway system; you can go from one hashtag to the next, the same way you will get off one highway and onto another. Ok back to the hashtags; let me use my brand as an example. Every business related post that

I put up on social media contains the following three hastags: #iamqueensize #qsm and #queensizemagazine. I then encourage other people in my network to use these hashtags as well their own.

We end up creating this huge network (highway) of hashtags that eventually link us all together beyond our actual followers.

I am very aware of the fact that not everyone uses social media for business related reasons. Therefore the hashtags are also used for fun. And so like many things, hashtags are quickly becoming overused and abused by social media fanatics who don’t understand how to properly use them. I have seen people hashtag a whole sentence (blank stare).

Or curse someone out in a hashtag.

This is where the abuse of hashtags can potentially become harmful to your brand. I am sure you’ve all heard the principle laws of association. One of those laws (contiguity) states that we associate things that occur close to each other in time or space. This is essentially how

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hashtags can work. I own a magazine that caters to plus size fashion and one of my hashtags are #iamqueensize. Jane Doe is a porn star (no judgment) who is proud of her plus size body, so she too uses the hashtag #iamqueensize. We have now entered into the same community. Some will say “hey, these are more potential consumers”, and I wouldn’t disagree.

However, when you have potential clients researching your brand, you want to make sure that you are associated with people that properly represent your brand because ultimately these are the people that your potential clients will eventually become associated with.

The internet can both be a blessing and a curse depending upon how you use it.

Here are three things that I want to share with everyone that I found helpful for me when it comes to hashtags.

THE POWER OF THE HASHTAG | QSM

DON’T ABUSE THE HASHTAG

You don’t have to have 50 different hashtags in one post.

Especially if you are a business owner. If you are branding yourself, you can’t hide your needle in a haystack. You want people to remember your hashtag and begin using it.

How are they going to find it to remember it, or even identify what it is if it is hidden amongst 49 other hashtags? Another abuse is the sentence or quite hashtagging. #annoying….

All you are doing is putting a bunch of words together and asking people to figure out what it says. And the quotes… stick to exclamation marks if you are trying to get your point across.

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ONLY DON’T ATTACH BECOME RELEVANT A HASHTAGS HASHTAG SPAMMER

If you are using your hashtag(s) that you have identified for your brand, it is ok to add a couple more other hashtags.

For example, I am posting a copy of my magazine; in addition to my hashtags I can also use the hashtag #photography and #mua and/ or #fashion. Because these are all related to my brand.

You probably didn’t even know such a thing existed. Well it does. This is someone who uses a hashtag that has nothing to do with the post’s subject. I see this a lot when it comes to the #blacklivesmatter. People will advertise their business and use the hashtag just to sneak their way into the hashtag’s search results.

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BUSINESS

    PHOTO CREDITS: PW PHOTOGRAPHY, A TREE OF LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY, OJAY’S PHOTOGRAPHY, RON MAYES PHOTOGRAPY, JOSEPH MERRIL PHOTOGRAPHY, DAVNPRT AD DESIGN AND LAYOUT: WWW.QUEENSIZEMAGAZINE.COM|JANURAY 2017 ISSUE AURA GRAPHICS AND DESIGN

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TOP EDITORIAL PICS FROM 2016

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LaKesshia Slaughter

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AS SEEN IN THE FEBRUARY 2016 ISSUE Photography | Chris E Booth MUA | Amanda Janae Olsson Hair Stylist | Timothy Branch Fashion Stylist | Juan Lerma Wardrobe | Provided by Tooties Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress, Couture Rocks necklace

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Annoula Dritsas

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AS SEEN IN THE MARCH 2016 ISSUE Photography | Nikki Gomez MUA | Brittany Lugo

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Devorah Story

AS SEEN IN THE MARCH 2016 ISSUE Photography | Rick Jones (rjonesphotography) Hair/stylist | Kayleigh Carter Makeup | Capriece White

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Meesha Ann

AS SEEN IN THE SEPTEMBER 2016 ISSUE Photography | Philip Drew, PDrew Photography Makeup and Hair done by model

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Kissi B

AS SEEN IN THE OCTOBER 2016 ISSUE Photography by Doug Swaim, Never Forgotten Photography

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Tasharra Dean

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AS SEEN IN THE NOVEMBER 2016 ISSUE Photography by | Rick Jones, RJones photography Stylist | Tasha Petri of Flawless Fashionistas Boutique MUA | Tamara Odom Clothing is various put together to create a seamless look

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Sayde Wilson

AS SEEN IN THE NOVEMBER 2016 ISSUE Photography by | Rick Jones, RJones Photography Wearing denim jeans and grey shirt from asos Trench Coat: ASOS curve trench with soft waterfall drape $120 Shoes: Ralph Lauren $60

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