CURVY GIRLS AT THE 5TH ANNUAL BLACK GIRLS ROCK AWARDS

This weekend was the 5th Annual Black Girls Rock Awards ceremony. Black Girls Rock celebrates all the positive changes that black women are doing in their community, entertainement, and a host of other industries. Black Girls Rock Inc. has teamed up with BET to actually debut the awards show on the BET network channel on Nov. 7th. So please lookout for that. Now let's talk fashion.

Some of our favorite curvy girls showed up to the event in some questionable looks. Check them out for yourself and tell SC what you think.

Jill Scott debuts a new look, not sure if I'm feeling it, but, kudos to her for changing things up.

Raven Symone dons a super bright lime green dress

 Toccara looking sexy and chic in a jeweled tone drape neck dress

Missy Elliot in her signature look of a dope leather jacket and boots

Fantasia sports a ruched ruffled sleeve dress

BET CEO Debra Lee rocks out in a leopard print dress

Photo credits:Essence.com and Zimbio.com

MAKE A STATEMENT WITH COLORED LEATHER GLOVES

One of my favorite things to buy when Fall arrives are leather gloves. My obsession started back in 1999 when I found my first red pair on sale for $14.95 at TJMaxx. I prefer colorful leather gloves opposed to black ones because they automatically make you standout. I can't tell you how many times a cashier or someone on the street has stopped me to compliment me on a pair of my vibrant colored gloves.

 Last year, I lost my favorite pair of leather gloves. Since gloves are one of those items that can easily be lost like sunglasses, I try not to pay too much for them. The max for me is $50, which is why I was extra heart broken when I lost my green argyle gloves that cost $50 and the fact that I managed to keep them for 3 years. Now, there have been times when I lost one of them and everytime I would lose one glove, somehow it found it's way back to me. Once I left one glove in a Duane Reade in Manhattan and didn't realize it until I got all the way to Brooklyn. I immediately called the Duane Reade and asked if they had seen it and to my surprise they had it. The next day we were reunited and it felt so good.

This weekend, I was thinking about my beloved green argyle leather gloves and decided to start a search for a new pair of colorful leather gloves. You might be thinking to yourself: Why leather? Because it's just something about that butter soft feeling. Why colorful ones? Because they spice up outerwear and make you standout. Plus, they look so chic peaking out from your coat sleeve. I am a super fan of long leather gloves because they're so dramatic. I also like when other fabrics are combined with the leather it makes the gloves that much more unique.

I wanted to share with you some of the styles I was checking out and hey, who knows, maybe you'll be inspired to get you a pair.

Here are my picks:

More Coach...

ENJOYING THIS WARM FINE FALL DAY

I think this may be the last weekend in NYC where we will get slightly warm weather. Fall is definitely here, but, today was such a nice day that I was happy to not have to wear stockings or a jacket. It was nice just to enjoy the warm breeze.

To fashionably enjoy the weather, I decided to wear my silver balloon skirt and a pink ruffle blouse that I just got on sale. Right now, I'm really into these lace booties that I wear them all the time with everything. I'm such a fan of color that it can easily change my mood once I put it on and this pink ruffle blouse had me happy all day.

I hope you guys enjoyed the weather because next week it's time to break out the hats, scarves, and gloves.


What I'm wearing
Blouse-Banana Republic, Skirt-H&M, Bracelet-Alexis Bittar (gifted), Boots-Betsey Johnson, Earrings-Call It Spring

WEBSITE SPOTLIGHT: DEAN OF FASHION

Thanks to Venessia an SC reader for putting me on to curvy girl clothing site Dean of Fashion. This trendy site carries everything from sexy dresses to casual off the shoulder tops all in sizes 1X-3X. In addition to the super cute clothes, Dean of Fashion offers a variety of services such as personal styling, event speaking, and fashion and event hosting.

CEO Ashley Dean says: "Dean of Fashion is dedicated to making sure the full-figured woman not only looks good but feels good in all the clothing that I sell. It is an honor to know that I can make a difference in a young lady's life, just by putting them in that perfect outfit!"

For more, checkout their website HERE




Tell SC your thoughts on the clothes.

MADISON PLUS & SIMPLY BE's FALL 2010 LOOK BOOK

Hey curvy girls all over the world,

The team over at Madison Plus are always up to something and loves keeping their readers in suspense. All this week MP has been showing pieces of what looked liked a photo shoot, but, they kept mum on what the pictures were for. Finally, they let the cat out of the bag. Madison Plus has teamed up with Simply Be to produce a cool and chic Fall 2010 LookBook showcasing pieces from Simply Be's US website and we love it. The look Book was shot on the fabulous and edgy streets of none other than my home borough, Brooklyn.

Checkout the Madison Plus and Simply Be Fall 2010 LookBook.

All the looks can be purchased at Simply Be's US site HERE

EVOLUTION OF CURVES FASHION TOUR EVENT & FUNDRAISER

Hey curvy girls all over the world,

Last week SC was invited to check out the Evolution of Curves fashion show in NYC.

On Sunday October 10, 2010, Stepping Out Studios probably didn't know what they were stepping into when they decided to host Evolution of Curves plus size fashion show because it was a curvy girl explosion.

The event was packed with some of the who's who of the plus size industry, like FFFW creator Gwen Devoe and Plus size model pioneer Catherine Schuller. There were designs from some curvy girl favorites like Faith 21 and ReDress NYC. Other new designers were Arturo Rios, Jessica Pritchett, Majestic Couture, and My Hunney.

 The founder of Evolution of Curves is no stranger to modeling herself, Sandy Jean Philippe is a Haitian model and actress who gained national notariety as the grand prize winner of E! Network's Bank of Hollywood. She is using the Evolution of Curves tour as a way of "infusing the best in fashion, beauty, and dance with a host of style makers, fashion elites, and trendsetters." The tour is also a charity event being that all the proceeds from the tour will benefit the Haiti Cherie Foundation efforts to build homes in Haiti.

 The event was presented by Once Chance Entertainment and hosted by Mo'Niques F.A.T Chance winner, the beautiful Joanna Borgella.

The show got off to a late start, but, when it began everyone immediately got excited. The show kicked off with a head bouncing routine from the Evolution dance team. A group of curvy girls who did a way with the one two step shuffle and served up moves that even Beyonce would try to copy (Who says curvy girls can't get down). After an exhilarating routine the fashion show began. We are so used to seeing models stiffly walk down the runway but not at Evolution of Curves. The models walked with a little bounce in their step and gave major attitude as they glided down the runway and posed. The night was not only full of fashion but of heart touching stories about the turmoil and destruction that's going on in Haiti. Both Sandy Philippe and Joanna Borgella have family members who are still in Haiti who say that things are not getting better. For Sandy it was important to have the proceeds of the event go to Haiti because it was her way of being able to help her country.

For more info about The Evolution of Curves tour checkout their website HERE.

Now, let's checkout the fashion:

ReDress NYC showcased a variety of styles from their wildly popular boutique which included current trends, pocketbooks, and some vintage pieces.

 

Arturo Rios Couture Hat Collection

http://www.arturorios.com/

Models rocked some of the newest designs from Arturo Rios hat collection

Faith 21Plus
Forever 21 presents Faith 21 Plus was one of the sponsors of the event. Checkout the models working pieces from the Fall collection.

MY Hunney

http://www.myhunney.com/

My Hunney showed off fun 80's style dresses.

ReDress NYC & Faith21 Plus

Majestic Couture

http://www.onechanceentertainment.com/

After the show all the models came out for one last walk. Joanna Borgella (on the right in the black and red) showed off her runway skills in the finale.

I had a few moments to chat with the founder of Evolution of Curves Sandy Jean Philippe and I asked her the following questions.

SC: What is your message to young plus size women?

SJP: "Love yourself first. If there is something that you want ot change about yourself then change it. Find your inner strength.

SC: What are some of your fashion tips?

SJP: "Have your own identity and don't follow trends."

SC: What are some future projects you are working on?

SJP: "Possible reality show"

Camera Phone Flicks

Catherine Schuller came out to show her support to founder Sandy Jean Philipe

Me and Joanna Borgella ready for our close-ups