Source: Maui Bigelow / Phat Girl Fresh
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, fashion is nothing until you apply style, and Black women, by definition, ooze style. I truly believe that style is embedded into Black women’s DNA. Whether it’s high-end, low-end, or second-hand pieces, a Black woman can put an outfit together and do the absolute most with a look with a moments notice. We make fashion come alive and that truth is not lost on curvy Black women; we slay too.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock that was under an even bigger rock, you’ve witnessed the evolution of the plus-size woman. For years, plus size women sat silently in a corner and conformed to society’s standards. We wore dark colors because they said it would make us look smaller and we wore shapeless clothing to hide our bodies (as if that were possible). Thankfully, those days are long gone. Plus-size women are now serving curves in color, in couture, and in crop tops.
Over the years, plus-size women have become more visible in fashion and many brands are including curves in spaces where we once weren’t allowed. This is due to the fact that plus-size women now make up more of the female population and we spend more coins in retail than any other group. However, on the heels of what can easily be deemed a curvy revolution, there is still work to be done and more conversations to be had. That is why we are excited to present CurvyNoire.
Source: Maui Bigelow / Phat Girl Fresh
CurvyNoire is an engaging style summit brought to you by MadameNoire and myself, Maui Bigelow, that uses conversation and fashion to celebrate and elevate the ever-evolving plus-size fashion industry. This event is a vehicle for redefining standards and encouraging responsiveness to plus Black bodies in mainstream spaces. CurvyNoire is designed to make a significant impact, not just in plus style, but the fashion industry as a whole. Hosted during the height of New York Fashion Week, this event will yield the most prominent Black women that the plus-size community/industry has to offer.
The event will begin with a panel which will discuss how curvy fashionistas can navigate spaces that often exclude Black and plus women. The panel will be moderated by Nikki Wiggins of NikkiFreeStyle, and include Plus powerhouses:
- Shaina Harrison, Lifestylist, Activist & Digital Influencer
- Brande Victorian, Senior Content Director for the Women’s Division at Interactive One (MadameNoire & HelloBeautiful)
- Cherie Washington, Asst Manager Public Relations of L’Oreal Multicultblural Beauty
- Chante Burkett, Digital Influencer & Boutique Owner
The afternoon will also feature a runway showcase, hosted by myself and Danielle James, Fashion & Beauty Editor at MadameNoire & HelloBeautiful, with looks that exude classic styles with contemporary silhouettes, and unique, modern details for the curvy and plus woman.
Oh and guess what sis, you are invited! If you are interested in working or playing in the plus-size community, are a curvy girl in need of inspiration or a curvy Black woman aspiring to do more in the plus-size community, this is an event you cannot afford to miss. Get your ticket before they are gone by clicking HERE.
