Hot Spot Review: Miss NYC Plus Runway Model Competition

On Saturday night March 15th, I attended the 1st annual Miss NYC Plus Runway Model Competion. If you missed this event, shame on you because it was truly a great night.

I will get my one critique out of the way, because there is only one:

The theater, for as beautiful as it was, was not very plus friendly. I know of both one BBW and one BHM that had to sit in folding chairs at the back of the theater because the theater style seats were reminiscent of the seats in a public school auditorium--and were about the right size for an elementary or junior high school student! It was a shame because the BBW was a VIP and the BHM was the husband of one of the contestants. But I know that the founder and CEO of the competition, Miss Chanel Clark, had no control over the seat size. And I think that most theaters have smaller seats in general. *shrugs* Ultimately, not a big deal. I think most people were happy for the close quarters, because sometimes it got chilly in there. *smile*

Now onto the GREATNESS that was the show itself:

The show was WONDERFUL! The twenty contestants were in three scenes: the 1st, in which the ladies channeled their inner Hollywood starlets, the 2nd where they provided some wonderful silhouettes, and the 3rd in which they donned the outfits of their favorite character from Sex and the City. What I loved about the show was that there was an obvious mix of runway veterans and those who might just be starting out on the runway. What I also loved was that each young lady came out with the attitude that they were going to rip that runway! In getting an inside scoop from one of the contestants, I know that each of them were responsible for picking their outfits for each scene. Of them all, my favorite was the Hollywood Glamour. The ladies, for the most part, chose to go for Old Hollywood looks, reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe, Katherine Hepburn, Lena Horne, Dorthy Dandridge, etc. Simply beautiful!

The most moving moment of the night came when the ladies of the competition honored their choreographer, Mr. Robert "Bobby" Mallory, who died of a diabetic stroke on February 23, 2008. I don't think there were many dry eyes in the house as the models, all dressed in white, laid single white roses at centerstage with Destiny's Child's gospel medley playing in the background. Miss Clark then presented the white roses and the Appreciation Award that Mr. Mallory was supposed to receive that evening to his mother, who gave a lovely speech and encouraged the models to keep their heads up and "God will do the rest".

Awards were also given to DeVoe Signature Events Founder and CEO Gwen "Diva" DeVoe (Dynamic Diva Award), The Rev.Patricia Lawson of the Riverside Church (Lifetime Achievement Award), Mr. Max Szadek, founder of Divabetic, an outreach organization educating women to take control and "make-over" their diabetes (Accent on Awareness Award), Fashion Designer Robert E. Knight (Creative Spirit Fashion Designer of the Year Award), and to Co-host Catherine Schuller (Voluptuous Visonary Award). The models even surprised Miss Clark with an award and gifts in a tribute to her hardwork and dedication in getting the competition together.

Congratulations to all of the ladies. They all walked away winners in their individual boroughs (shout out to Tiffany Braxton Belvin and Elsa Peralta who rocked the runway and came away with 2nd runner up finishes in both of their boroughs, as well as The Diva Award and Miss Congeniality, respectively).

Congratulations to Nic Moore for winning the title of Miss NYC Plus 2008!

Chanel Clark and company, job well done for your first time out. I am already looking forward to next year's show.