Visual Aid / New Plus Designers – Youtheary Khmer + ZELIE FOR SHE

Spring seems to always be the best time for fashion.  You emerge from winter coats and boots to fabulous sandals, dresses, sheer materials and vibrant colors.  Hibernation is finally over and les printemps is bringing us all back to life.

That’s why I’m so excited to have found Youtheary Khmer and ZELIE FOR SHE!  Both designers were shared on The Curvy Fashionista‘s facebook page (an AMAZING resource if you haven’t liked it already).  Below are my favorites on their websites right now and each photo is linked if you’d like to check the style out further.

First, Youtheary Khmer.

Ahhhhhhmazing!!!

Love the laser cut!!

Beautiful!

Also, check out Youtheary Khmer’s Clothes That Prove We Do Care Campaign: answering the call for size proportionate clothing that is comfortable, yet still trendy and beautiful.

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Now, ZELIE FOR SHE.

Loving the b&w right now.

Nothing better than a comfy over-size t-shirt dress!

Tutus have been everywhere in the plus size fashion world lately!  I love the deconstructed look of this one.

#runwaymodelrespect / Steve Harvey Show

This past Tuesday I was part of the Steve Harvey Show’s full-figured spring style segment.  It was glamorous, fun and exciting, but also really exhausting!  All I can say to the models who wear insane shoes and have to walk on slippery runways, I bow down to your fearlessness and give you beaucoup respect!  Thus the title of this post.  🙂

I found out about the opportunity on Wednesday, went to a fitting on Friday and was picked to do the show on Tuesday.  Such a whirlwind!

Steve Harvey noted at the beginning of the segment that his mother was plus sized and was always complimented for her bold style.  He has featured plus-size women on his show previously and I consider him an advocate for all around body-positivity and confidence!  Thank you Steve for all you’re doing for the plus size community.

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Now on to the day!

Arrived at NBC Studios at 7am!  Fresh and clean with product-free hair (which was really weird for me BTW, as I’ve been a product junkie since age 16)

Hair and makeup in a conference room of the studio.  The makeup look was bright and fresh, to reflect the spring style focus.  Some of the girls had on bright green and lavender.  Very pretty!

My classic bob merited only one hairstyle option with my outfit… a classic bob.  They teased and curled it to perfection and gave me mauvey-pink shimmer eyes and a bright pink lip.

Rehearsal time.  Before we went through wardrobe, they had us wear the shoes they chose and run through a rehearsal.  Well, I am not the heel-wearing diva that I was 8 years ago, so the first pair of BEAUTIFUL Cole Haan purple peep toe pumps they put me in were just too much.  I couldn’t control the muscles in my legs that were freaking out, but luckily the stylist had chosen a second pair of red Via Spiga’s ahead of time and they worked perfectly.  Definitely not as sexy as the Cole Haan’s, but walking is sexier than shuffling I think.  🙂

Also, we found out at this time that the segment was going to be taped outside.  In Chicago.  In 29 degree weather.  Brrrrr…  At least I was the one who got to wear a coat!

The full look!  The fabulous stylist Earl and his team put me in a dark fuschia London Times a-line dress and a Kristin Miles floral coat with gold accessories.

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Now to the taping and runway show!

The celebrity stylist, Daisy Lewellyn, had broken us up into four types of spring looks: bolds, florals, prints and pastels.  We each walked the runway and showcased our fashion-forward styles!

BOLD

FLORALS (that’s me!)

PRINTS (I loved the Cut for Evans pants she’s wearing!)

PASTELS

(These photos on the runway were taken, provided and copy written by the Steve Harvey Show and are not property of muselola.com)

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Afterward, Daisy came backstage and took photos with all of us.  She is ADORABLE!!

Then we returned our wardrobe and were done.  So much prep for something that was over so quickly!

This segment featured models of all sizes, shapes and ethnicities, so I hope every woman watching found their spring style inspiration.  I was very honored to represent the tall, super-pale, size 26/28’s among us!

It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one that I will never forget.  Again, #runwaymodelrespect and thank you Steve Harvey Show! ❤

Model Casting Call – Full Figured Fashion Week

This past Saturday I trekked through the frozen tundra, fondly known as Chicago, to a plus size model casting call for Full Figured Fashion Week 2014.  While I have absolutely ZERO experience as a runway model, my best girlfriend convinced me it would be a good experience no matter what the outcome and would also introduce me to some fabulous plus size women.  It can be very hard to step outside your comfort zone and let your confidence roar, but I’m very glad I did!

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Since many don’t know about FFFWeek, here’s a short bio on the event from their website:

“Full Figured Fashion Week® (FFFWeek) launched in New York City with a partnership of 12 brands and approximately 200 guests attending three small events and one large runway show. Now in its sixth year, the event’s offering has expanded to include over 100 partners, including sponsors, independent designers, retailers, boutiques, fashion bloggers, small businesses and other industry professionals. We now offer over 20 events and 4 runway shows featuring an array of fashion from top retailers, boutiques and independent designers worn by 50 of the top runway models across the country. What began as a bold first step in support of the plus size fashion movement has evolved into a breakthrough fashion event.”

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After arriving, I signed a few forms, turned in my photos, changed out of my snow boots and into my heels, met the judges and did my best runway strut with lighting and cameras all around!  After a little waiting, I did an on-camera interview with another judge, who asked me questions about my plus size experiences.  Everyone was so positive, friendly and absolutely gorgeous!

I ultimately was not chosen to model, but I did get to meet the founder of the event herself, Gwen DeVoe!  She was confident, inspiring and hilarious.  We had a great conversation about how far the plus size community has come in just the past few years and where this event can take it in the future!

One other fabulous thing that came out of this experience were these Seychelles beauties.  The casting call required you to wear 3 to 4 inch heels, which I, as a dedicated flat wearer of late, have absolutely none of anymore.  Thank you Zappos VIP for another amazing pair of shoes here, for free, in only 1 business day!!

#TBT – Vintage Inspiration

My friend Michelle, of Michelle Cox Photography, did a vintage-style photo shoot of me in 2010.  I wanted to look like my late Aunt Stephie did in photographs I have of her from the mid to late 1940s and my Mother wanted some frame-able portraits, so it was a win-win!  My Aunt Stephie was very fashionable and, now in my older and wiser years, is one of my style inspirations!

Here are just a few of my favorites, plus a few of Aunt Stephie for your TBT enjoyment.

NOTE TO SELF: Incorporate more menswear into wardrobe… ❤