Life Of A Fashion Drama Queen

This years FFFweek was from June 15th - 18th and events were held on each day/evening. Not all events were for everyone some were by invite only. This years events included networking/social gatherings for industry big wigs, a shopping soiree where you were escorted and taken to high end designer boutiques around NYC, a sample sale at The Pennsylvania Hotel, panel discussions on empowering the curvy community and upcoming fashion trends, the Sunset Cruise, photo shoots, and of course the FFFweek Finale Fashion Show held at the Marriot Marquis in NYC's Times Square. The only events I can speak about are the ones I attended which were the Sunset Cruise,  a panel discussion and of course the Finale Fashion Show.

This year I was part of the FFFweek Social Media Team, that basically meant promoting via social networks. I was able to tweet and post on Facebook.. YES how convenient!! haha. I loved it!! As much as I love socializing and networking on social networks I always make it a priority to volunteer every year. There's something about giving back and doing something because you truly feel it in your heart to do so... can't really explain it.  There's nothing more rewarding than that. For the first time during FFFweek, I was a volunteer at one of the panel discussions. It was called "Young Curvy and Empowered". The panelist included everything from plus size models, youth activist, and a Emmy award winning writer. The whole message behind this discussion was to speak to teens regarding the lifestyle they live and how it effects their future. The panelist shared their stories, some coming from abusive families/relationships, some having self-esteem issues because of their weight, or because of how they looked. They all had a story to tell and the audience including myself was very moved. The young ladies that attended were so impressed and so motivated because they were actually able to speak to women who looked exactly like them, or women who have been in the same or similar situation, they no longer felt alone and helpless. Watching and listening to what took place that day was so heartfelt it brought me to tears. I was reminded how grateful and blessed I am to have had the childhood I did growing up. It also made me realize that no matter what you go through in life you ALWAYS have options to make your life better. Every woman who spoke to the young people were a living testimony to that. They even motivated me!! For some many years I've wanted to transition into another career besides counseling/mental health but because of my age and my own insecurities I put my dreams and aspirations on hold. After attending this event I left feeling "Young Curvy and Empowered".

The All White Sunset Cruise was a blast!!!! DJ  Laa Choc, a female DJ, was on the 1's and 2's and had everyone on that boat JAMMIN!! Dancing, food, everyone sexy in their all white, what else can you ask for. Everyone from models, to agents, to CEO's and editors of magazines was in attendance. You wouldn't be able to tell who's who since the dance floor was packed and the energy was amazing! My date for the night was one of my best friends so thankfully my anxiety wasn't on level 10 from going alone. We mingled, ate and danced the evening away.

The Finale Fashion Show was soooooo exciting!!!! 13 Designers show cased upcoming fashion lines and the models WORKED that runaway. Being a part of this experience caused me to step out of my comfort zone and begin a new journey. A journey I was afraid to go on and now have the confidence to ATTEMPT something I've dreamed about. Even if I fail I finally have the courage to try and that's HUGE for me.

Hopefully I will see some of you who are reading this next year at FFFweek 2012. For now I've posted some pictures of this amazing movement.


Stay Pretty,
Tee Tee

I had to split this blog post into several parts. There's so much to write about and I want to make sure I cover as much as I can. Here is  Part 1; which is just to give you a little background on  how I was introduced to FFFweek.

One day a few years ago I was out shopping and a woman approached me asking if I was a plus-sized model. I will admit I gave her the " excuse me" look for more reasons than one. My thoughts were " the nerve of this woman to call me plus-size". Forget the fact that she said the word "MODEL". All I heard was "FAT". The woman took notice to my expression and she quickly apologized if she had offended me. She explained she was giving me a compliment and continued talking. I had this sarcastic grin as she spoke so proudly and passionate  about this industry I didn't know existed. Plus-size models, young, old, all races, fashion shows just for us "curvy girls"...... I thought..wow there's all these fabulous events going on for plus size women and I'm not a part of it. If anyone knows me, they know that I love to be part of EVERYTHING!!! My mom always tells me "tu quieres estar como el arroz blanco" ... translation : "I want to be like white rice".. haha it sounds better in Spanish but it basically means white rice is everywhere and so am I!

Now back to my story- My feelings of being annoyed at this woman quickly transcended into something positive. I was so grateful to her for sharing the news of a movement that was in progress. What movement you ask..... THE PLUS SIZE MOVEMENT!!! After doing some on line research I came across a woman who was starting to change the way the fashion industry looked and treated the curvy girl consumer, her name is Gwen DeVoe. Ms. DeVoe started The Plus Size Academy in NYC which is like a training bootcamp for aspiring plus size models. Her career includes everything from being a motivational speaker to being the Founder and CEO of DeVoe Signature Events (DSE), an event production and management company for plus size affairs. She is also the founder and producer of FFFweek. Her mission is clear, empower women of all sizes, to increase the amount of full figured models on fashion runways and demand fashion retailers to stop ignoring the needs of the curvy consumer. I wanted to be involved so I got in touch with Ms. DeVoe after finding out she was looking for volunteers to assist with casting calls. One thing led to another and I found myself ALL IN!!! I volunteered at The Plus Size Academy for a year and left to explore more of the fashion/entertainment industry. Even though I began getting into different projects I still followed up with Ms. DeVoe and kept myself informed on what was happening in the plus size industry.

Its now 2011 and this movement is still growing strong. When high end designers such as Roberto Cavalli,  Michael Kors, Chanel, and  Yves Saint Laurent  begin designing clothes for us curvy girls it says a lot. Noise was made and designers listened!!! Don't mistake my message... just because plus size women are able to buy a Robert Cavalli skirt in a size 18 it doesn't mean the fight is over. Plus Size women shouldn't have to be limited in where they shop just because the fashion industry has a problem with anyone over a size 12.  But because we live in a society where beauty is often seen  as a size 6  FFFweek was created to change that. If there was ever a moment when a curvy female, young or old felt insecure, ugly, lacking a sense of style, or even so frustrated at not being able to find a sexy dress in your size; attending Full Figured Fashion Week would immediately change your mind.   From panel discussions on positive self body image, to empowering the young and curvy, networking social gatherings, to a fashion show which debuts plus size designers. How could you not be excited about this ??

Hopefully I've informed those reading this blog, especially my curvy ladies, that there is an industry that embraces curves. So whether you're thinking about modeling, styling or anything else in the fashion industry, never let anyone tell you " you're to big to.........". Be confident and go for it!!


FFFweek Part 2 coming soon!!!

Stay Pretty
Tee Tee

Born and raised in the South Bronx to a Dominican father and a Puerto-Rican mother has made me the woman I am today. From my fathers work ethics, to my mom’s housewife, traditional, “keep the family together” attitude; I’ve learned so much on what I want and don’t want out of life. I grew up with a mother who began cooking her habichuelas (beans) at 12’o clock in the afternoon so they would be ready to eat by 6pm. Canned beans ? NEVER!! This woman prides herself on cooking from scratch for her husband and children. My father, who along with his sister ran and still run the family business.
Thank God business has been good and it’s helped my family maintain a comfortable lifestyle.

This was a life I wanted for myself when I got older. Family dinners every Sunday at my grandmothers house in Harlem is a memory I will treasure for ever. The small apartment in Grant Projects was filled with the smell of arroz con habichulas, tostones con ajo and empanadas  (my favorite meal). You could also hear what would have appeared to be 100 different voices, from aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents all talking loud like a typical puerto-rican family. In all actuality there would be about 10-15 of us in that house every weekend yet it seemed like a lot more. Like every other family, we have ups and downs from addictions to illness, my family has been through it all. Yet at the end of the day my family is everything to me.

My upbringing has influenced my personality, my savvy fashion style and my love for a city with so much culture. I’ve learned to never ever judge anyone by their situation. Although growing up, I will admit to being very meticulous in who I hung out with. Needless to say I rolled with the prettiest chicks in school. Lol. Okay- so we didn’t always have the best fashion sense but it worked back then! ha!

Attending middle school and junior high school in Spanish Harlem introduced me to a whole other world. I would walk up one block and hear the voice of Tito Puentes, a great Latin Jazz and Mambo musician, then walk up the next block and hear the hip hop flows of the infamous duo Rob Base and DJ E-Z. I loved wearing leggings and L.A Gears and then switching it up to leg warmers, acid wash jeans and a bright sweater. This is when I fell in love with fashion. From wearing lace gloves like Madonna, to banana clips in my hair like Lisa Lisa from Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam. Fashion in the late 80’s to early 90’s was an era of different trends. You had the “grunge look”.. this basically consisted of not washing your hair so you can get that "greasy look" and literally throwing on big baggy jeans and a t-shirt. Ahh but fashion back then also had the likings of us ‘girly girls” rocking a pair of thigh-high socks with floral dresses. Oh the memories!! *smiling"

Fast forwarding to 2011 I love and adore my city and its fashion style more than ever. I will admit being a plus size woman who LOVES fashion is sometimes a challenge. I’m hoping this online blog shares the good, the bad and the ugly truth about issues affecting women especially us curvy chicks, affordable fashion, new and upcoming fashion trends, positive imagery and  the “How to” on becoming a better YOU!

Hope you all enjoy this journey with me.

xoxo
Tee Tee