The Scene: The International Fuller Woman Expo

August 1, 2011, Detroit, MI- The 5th Annual International Fuller Woman Expo, the 3rd in the United States, will be held on September 10, 2011 at the Detroit Historical Museum in Downtown Detroit, Michigan.


The International Fuller Woman Expo features products, services and seminars that give plus size women a day of education, empowerment and enjoyment. As the largest international consumer event for plus size women, the Expo provides an excellent opportunity for businesses and organizations to target their core audience as well as reinforce their company’s image within the plus size community.

Returning this year is talk show host, comedian and actress Ms. Kim Coles as the keynote speaker. She is best known for her portrayal of Sinclair on the hit television show, “Living Single” , a role that garnered her 4 NAACP Image award nominations. Ms.Coles is the host of the popular game show “Pay it Forward” on BET, making her the 1st African American Woman to ever host a primetime game show. Ms.Coles is also the co-host of “My Black is Beautiful”, a talk show that celebrates the diverse and unique qualities in African American women.

Highlights of the 2011 International Fuller Woman Expo Include:

DeLores Pressley. The 2009 keynote speaker returns to Detroit, Michigan. She brings her impressive blend of personal and professional experience to her presentations that allow her to connect with her audience, inspiring and energizing them to take their confidence and success to the next level.

Plus Modeling 101 with Jeannie Ferguson. As an aspiring model, you want to know all there is to know to make it in the industry. Learn the fundamentals from industry professionals such as Brand Management, challenges facing plus models today and how to overcome them, plus model etiquette, and more.
Curvy Café. New this year is the “Curvy Café” where you can partake some great food in between all the networking and shopping.

Curves in Motion Fashion Showcase. Join sponsors IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel and DailyVenusDiva.com in highlighting innovative, ready to wear fashions from around the world. The show presents a showcase exploding with entertainment and fashion for your curves!! This year’s show will present a special wedding segment for the curvy bride.

"The Evolution of the Revolution” panel discussion. Every year the Fuller Woman Expo discusses ways to elevate the plus community. This year’s topic is “Plus Positivity In A Negative Society”.

Plus positive Vendors. Businesses that cater to the International Fuller Woman will be in attendance from across the country. They will be bringing with them products and services that cater to the plus size consumer from the inside, out.

Admission to the International Fuller Woman Expo is $10. This gives you access to the above highlights. To purchase tickets, to become a vendor or sponsor and for additional information visit http://www.thefullerwomanexpo.com/.


For questions or press inquiries contact:
Stephanie Danforth
Co-Producer, The International Fuller Woman Expo
presstfwe@gmail.com
(313) 492-1991

Hot Spot: Plus Academy Open House (NYC)

The Winter/Spring session of The Plus Academy has ended. Selected participants of this session got an opportunity to model in an in-store fashion show celebrating the grand re-opening of Lane Bryant in the Green Acres mall in Long Island, NY.....The models had a blast and we were happy to be able to give them an opportunity to showcase their newly acquired and/or recently perfected runway skills.

The Plus Academy is New York's leading Curvy Lifestyle and Training/Development program for aspiring plus models and women. Our workshops are taught by recognized leaders in the fashion and beauty industry. The success of the individuals who have taken classes at The Plus Academy is a great testimony to what we provide. These individuals can be seen EVERYWHERE (televised morning shows, store ads, local and nationally televised runway shows, magazine ads, internet advertisements and more).

If you are interested in plus modeling or need help with fashion, beauty or lifestyle issues associated with the curvy lifestyle, we invite you to attend the Open House for the Summer session of The Plus Academy. Bring a copy of this email and receive a 10% on the spot discount if you register for classes at the Open House.

So, grab your curvy girlfriends, dress up for the paparazzi, and come see what The Plus Academy has to offer.

You'll be glad you did!

RSVP with an email to: paopenhouse@dseventsinc.com.

Hot Spot: The Art of Curves Meet & Greet (NYC)

The Art of Curves® cordially invites you to an Evening of Glamour & Style.
May 17, 2008
CLUB RUNWAY
4 East 28th street
New York,NY
6pm - 9pm

FREE ADMITTANCE

We are hosting a Networking & Pre-registration Event for the Art of Curves Model® Training program and show. This event will be a catalyst for aspiring/professional plus models and designers to meet with Industry Professionals. Also photos & comp cards will be collected for consideration in the 2nd annual Art of Curves® fashion event.

To RSVP, please send your responses to info@theartofcurves.com.

About The Art of Curves®The Art of Curves® is a Movement. We are a company dedicated to showcasing the works of up and coming designers as well as the development of aspiring models in the plus size fashion industry. Our staff of industry professionals looks to change the perception of plus size women in the main stream. We exemplify all things curvy in the fashion industry. Our movement works to show the fashion, entertainment and media, genres that beauty, talent and artistry are not one dimensional. We work to represent the multiple levels of plus size fashion. The measure of ones beauty, does not ride on the measurement of a waist band.

The Art of Curves®: WHERE SIZE CHANGES THE FACE OF FASHION.

Hot Spot: Lee Lee's Valise Anniversary Event (NYC)

Lee Lee's Valise 1st Anniversary Event

We have been open a year and would like to thank you for your patronage.


The Champagne is on ice!


Join us Saturday, May 3rd.
Champagne Reception ~ Gifts with Purchase~

DATE: Saturday, May 3, 2008
TIME: Noon until Closing
LOCATION: 368 Court Street (corner of President) Brooklyn, New York 11231



Sponsored By: Borgheses and Michael Antonio Footwear Group



To RSVP and for more information, please visit the Lee Lee's Valise website at http://www.leeleesvalise.com/anniversary.htm.

Hot Spot: The Fattitude Festival (LA)

The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance's (NAAFA) Los Angeles Chapter is proud to introduce the Fattitude Festival: A day of Fashion, Music, Dancing, Food & Fun!


Do you think talent and beauty comes in every size? Do you think the world should appreciate everything about you, inside and out? Are you ready to celebrate all that is you? If the answer is yes, then our festival is the place to be!


Sunday, April 20th 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Great Hall – Plummer Park
7377 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90046


We’re also thrilled to offer you quality size-positive entertainment including special guests:
Actor/Activist Joy Nash of “Fat Rant”
Legendary fat belly dance troupe The Fatimas
Recording artist Gael MacGregor
Media Artist Marilyn Wann

Fashion shows at 12:30 and 2:30!

Our wonderful vendors are ready to clothe, accessorize, pamper and glamorize you in sizes ranging from 1x to 10x!
Our exciting vendors include:
Big On Batik

By Ro Designs

CurvyQT

Fashion Overdose

Imelda Bedolla Jewelry

Judi Richardson Jewelry

Love Your Body! Project

Massage by Delia

Plussize Quality Costumes

Prince Handbags

Rogerswear

Salon Pin Up

Singerplum Jewelry

Va Va Va Voom

And More!


All are welcome! Admission is free! For More Information and updates on event happenings, please visit the NAAFA-LA's website at http://www.naafala.org/.



Editor's Note: I wish I could get to Los Angeles for this event! The chapter's President and VP (*waving at Linda & Lesleigh*) are super sweet, so I am sure that it is going to be a fun and festive plus-positive event! If any of our readers attend this event and would be willing to write a review, please email me at editor@belle-noir.com. --Ms. Aja B.

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.

Hot Spot: Meeting in the Ladies Room

Blissful Elegance in association with Belle-Noir Magazine and Divas in the City present "Meeting in the Ladies Room".

While your Sweetie is caught up in March Madness join us for a Meeting in the Ladies Room Session:Let's Talk about Sex.

Our hostess for the night will be the Real and Raw Robbyne Kaamil, the acclaimed comedian, actress, talk show host, author and advice columnist. Join us on the couch and get information about your sexual health from Tanisha Jacobs, a nurse at the MIC Women's Health Services.We also have "The Professor" who will help us explore the world of personal pleasure, we will get tips on how to add some spice to our life and learn some tricks to help develop a heightened sense of our sexuality.

Join us at the very sexy Madame X Lounge, our uninhibited arena for a very special Girls Night Out!

For more information visit us at: http://www.myspace.com/ladiesroom101.

Tickets are only:$15.00 in advance $20.00 at the door

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to One in Three Women, a Global campaign to raise awareness about violence against women.

We will also have vendors in the lounge:
Trubutter: http://www.trubutter.com/ The best line of body moisturizing skin care products in the world!

Annie Mae's Cheesecake: http://www.anniemaescheesecakes.com/ A little slice of heaven on earth.

Pearls of Black: http://www.pearlsofblack.com/ A place to explore the world of personal pleasure

Robbyne Kaamil: http://www.canwebereal.com/ Our real and raw host will have copies of her books and DVD available for purchase.

*ADDED BONUS! The first twenty people will get the exclusive Blissful Elegance Events Gift Bag*

Sorry Fellas, this event is LADIES ONLY!

The Scene:: Hot Spots

Here are some of the upcoming places to be and be seen in the plus community. Please follow the links for more information on the times and locations of these events.

Sat. 3/8/08-DeVoe Signature Events, Inc. Plus Model Call-NYC

Sun. 3/9/08-Gemini Full Figured Diva Academy Presents Stilettos & Curves-Baltimore, MD

Sat. 3/15/08-1st Annual Miss NYC Plus Pageant-NYC

Fri. 3/28/08-Blissful Elegance Events presents...Meeting in the Ladies Room: Let's Talk About Sex-NYC

Sat. 4/26/08-Project Curves-Chicago, IL