The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) invites you to come, celebrate and be a part of its annual fund-raising convention on August 5-9, 2010 at the Westin San Francisco Airport Hotel in Milbrae, California.

One of the highlights of the convention is the spectacular NAAFA 2010 Fashion Show and Auction Dinner showcasing the latest collections of inspired designs of plus fashion designers from all over the country as well as the new student designers. Other event features include food, music, art and fantastic auction items. This is a major fund raising event for NAAFA as all proceeds shall go to fund NAAFA’s ongoing projects. This is expected to be an amazing, magical, size positive, elegant, modern, trendsetting premier plus size fashion event.

This years’ convention offers a number of interesting workshops (both lecture-style and hands-on). As an overview, workshops will cover the following:
• Morning Workouts                                                                         
• Fat Sexuality
• NAAFA Orientation
• Life as a Fat Man
• Chapter Summit
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Setting Boundaries
• Living in the Supersized Body – Women Only
• Alternative Treatment for Sleep Apnea
• Fat Poets Society Writing Workshop
• Water Aerobics
• Fat Poets Society Coffeehouse

In line with NAAFA’s commitment to eliminate size discrimination and response to queries on health issues and concerns, NAAFA on the occasion of its 2010 convention aims to create the first NAAFA Health At Every Size (HAES) Summit on August 9, 2010 at the Westin San Francisco Airport Hotel. Health professionals, nutritionists, psychologists, community health advocates, professors or students are most welcome to join, network with other professionals, and learn from leading experts in this area.

To the plus size advocates the NAAFA 2010 Convention is a venue where you can convey your support in bringing an end to size discrimination. This is also your opportune time to express your support and solidarity with NAAFA. So please be there and help make a difference.

PLEASE CLICK HERE to check out the schedule and other convention details.

ABOUT NAAFA
Founded in 1969, the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) is a non-profit human rights organization dedicated to protecting the rights and improving the quality of life for fat people. NAAFA works to eliminate discrimination based on body size and provide fat people with the tools for self-empowerment through advocacy, public education, and support.

The Plus Size Advocate - Plus Size Fashion, News & Events

YULIYA RAQUEL is a natural-born artistic individual through fashion designing.  This Ukrainian-born beautiful woman is a lead designer and founder of IGIGI (pronounced as ee zhee zhee), one of today’s leading brands of clothing for real women of all shapes and sizes, which is based in San Francisco, California.

It is extraordinary for a three year-old child to be fascinated at fashion magazines, or for a seven-year old to have mastered the sewing machines. Fashion designing comes to Yuliya naturally. She has been designing clothes since she was five. Part of her high school program in  Russia was designing. She was so fascinated at it, so she took additional classes while still in Russia. When she transferred to the USA, she took a few classes too.

Thinking of a more stable profession, Yuliya tried herself in the field of medicine. But destiny gave her whole life to fashion designing. Maybe it was fate, or a personal calling that led her to an exclusive passion for plus size market. Her greatest masterpiece is the unbeatable IGIGI.

Yuliya‘s  interest in plus size fashion started when she went shopping with her mother (a beautiful woman size 24 at that time) at the full figured stores. They were disheartened at the reality that there was not enough stylish, form-fitting, and feel good clothes available for curvaceous women like her mother. She went store hopping searching what is available for her mother only to end up frustrated.  She realized that only very few stores offer stylish clothing for fashion loving curvy women.

As I was browsing the net, I was led to www.pasazz.net where I came across the video of Yuliya, which she released on the occasion of IGIGI’s 10th anniversary to share with the women her inspiring story of self acceptance and discovering the beauty inside her. In that video she shared that she had an anorexia when she was ten years old because she had an ugly concept of herself. Everything that she saw in herself was ugly. The anorexia was gone when she was a teenager, but the feeling of ugliness remained. Further she shared that when they moved to America, her mother gained so much weight (from size 12 to size 24) because of medication. This affected her mother’s self-esteem so much. Her mother’s feeling of ugliness was reinforced by the pressure of the people around her to reduce weight.

The horrible situation of Yuliya‘s mom became an eye opener for her. She knows for a fact that  her mom was truly beautiful inside and out. But how can she convince other people that they are beautiful if she cannot accept herself? Tired of feeling ugly, she finally decided to accept herself and to be beautiful, and made a 180 degrees change in her life. Since then she developed a beautiful perspective about herself, and she took it as a personal conviction to change world’s view of beauty, or redefine beauty. This is the same mission that IGGI is spreading around the globe through their beautiful collections – the latest and stylish apparel designs and accessories for beautiful and fashion loving curvaceous and voluptuous women. IGIGI is committed to break the boundaries that prevent  people from appreciating their innate beauties.

About 12 years ago prior to IGIGI, she was a couturier having a little studio, designing chic evening gowns for women sizes 18, 20, 22, and 24. The main complaint is that they want something beautiful for a wedding occasion, and have nothing to wear because the stores do not cater to them.  After doing some research in plus market, Yuliya realized a void in the plus size clothing market that needs to be met. And because of her strong conviction to change the world’s definition of beauty, she launched in February 2000 igigi.com where she posted online her clothing collection. IGIGI had a humble beginning. She launched IGIGI with just 300 dollars that she paid for the website and sewing machine. She had made the launching of IGIGI a history because she had successfully managed it to become one of the top leading brands in plus size clothing around the globe. She claims that today IGIGI “has tens and tens and tens of thousands of customers around the globe.” She had managed IGIGI to become a landmark in the plus fashion industry.

Yuliya envisions a world that allows everyone to feel beautiful. She promotes size acceptance and advocates that every woman should fall in love with who they are inside and out. She believes that everyone is gorgeous just the way they are, no need to change, no need to be weight conscious.  She believes that every single human being on earth is truly beautiful beyond description.  Everyone is created beautiful.  There’s an innate beauty in a woman, she just needs to unleash them. Beauty is not about size and shape, our body is our body, just the way it is.  She emphasizes that beauty and size are two different things. As women we’ve got to celebrate ourselves and exudes that beauty and be an inspiration to many.

When Yuliya designs, she always situates herself at how a wearer will feel in the garment. Will it make her feel more feminine, sensual or attractive, etc.? She finds joy and fulfillment when she receives positive feedbacks from her happy and satisfied clientele.

Please visit IGIGI’s official website. They offer you an up-to date apparel collection to fulfill your fashion needs. If you want a one-time only design, check out their new line called Limited Collection. You can find trendy, hot style and unique pieces from their Limited Collection.

The Plus Size Advocate - Plus Size Fashion, News & Events

Curvy Network, a Division of Chenese Lewis Productions, LLC has announced the Curvy Network, A Plus Size Industry Networking Event on April 24, 2010 at MGI Studios in Los Angeles.  Chenese Lewis will be co-hosting alongside with Reah Norman, a Plus Fashion Stylist and Marlene G of MGI Studios.

This is an event dedicated for individuals in all facets of the plus industry.  Models, actors, photographers, designers, wardrobe stylists, make-up artists, hair stylists, agents, plus all others who are already established in the industry or trying to break into the industry are encouraged to attend.

Plus size industry is booming and is expected to grow more as plus size consumers and fashionistas are visibly escalating. Please come and get the chance to connect and network with the people  in the plus size industry.

Admission is free. To attend to this event, you need to RSVP by registering at http://www.cheneselewisproductions.com/network.

Upon registration, you will receive an e-mail with more details.  You are not officially RSVP’ed for the event until you register on the website.

The Plus Size Advocate - Plus Size Fashion, News & Events

As a woman and plus size advocate, I admired the life and works of Ms. Sonja Elise Freeman, the Ms. Greater Houston Texas Plus America 2009-2010 at Miss Plus America Pageant. As I read through some write ups about her, I have found her to be an achiever, a woman of substance, worthy of admiration. Not just a beauty titlist, she is an extraordinary and multitalented personality. She is a Psalmist, Musician, Teacher, Life Coach, Fashion and Beauty Consultant, Author, and many more. Her numerous achievements make her an inspiration to all plus size women, the youth and young adults around the world.

This beautiful and dynamic lady was born in Queens, New York, but grew up in Houston, Texas. She finished her secondary education at the Fort BendIndependent School District Willowridge High School, while her Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance minor in Fashion Merchandising and Design at Prairie View and A&M University. She studied Music Business at the Rice University within its Continuing Studies Program.

Her theological education was founded at the Benny Hinn School of Ministry Online, Moody Bible Institute and Dallas Theological Seminary. Recently, the Inspire Women Leadership Institute at the Dallas Theological Seminary in Houston awarded her with a Leadership Certificate for her service of volunteerism.

Some of her interests include music production, songwriting, play writing, writing inspirational books and poetry, teaching and preaching the word of God, radio production, film production, and television production. She is a member of American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and the Recording Academy that issues the Grammy Awards annually. Recently, she had won the most coveted title as a Harvey Star Washington Model.

Her experience of more than 10 years in Career and Life Coaching, Teaching, Marketing, Promotions, Publicity, Artist Development, Music Production, Special Events Planning, Fashion and Beauty Consulting, and many more are invaluable.

Sonja Elise is the owner of Divine Voices of Media, a multi-media inspirational production company based in Houston, Texas dedicated to inspire, motivate and encourage the world especially the youth and young adults, through spiritual and life coaching, motivational speaking, special event planning, music, pod casting, film, television, radio, theater arts, comedy, dance and publishing.

This versatile and inspiring lady, has still more to do for plus size women in the world as well in touching and making an impact in the lives of young people through her production company. Truly she portrays the essence of a beautiful woman.

Note on Miss Plus America
Devoted to promoting the sophisticated, ambitious, responsible and community service oriented full-figured woman of the new millennium.

2010 Miss Plus America Pageant will be held at Monroe, Louisiana on July 13-17, 2010. Host Hotel: Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center.

The Plus Size Advocate - Plus Size Fashion, News & Events

Corsets are a timeless fashion used by  powerful women in the past eras to express their powerful stature, something that they cannot live without.  This blatant fashion statement has been passed on from generation to generation, and is being enjoyed today by many women in the world.   Many international women celebrities in the current pop culture have made corsets as a staple in their wardrobes.  For the past two decades they have repeatedly brought the corsets out into the fashion world and into the limelight.  In different occasions they display their corsets in elaborate and trendy designs and materials, whether a leather corset for an erotic spectacle on stage, beaded one for the Red Carpet, or lacy and casual for dinner with friends, the image goes back to one of the most powerful women, Queen Elizabeth I of England who dresses herself in beautiful corsets.  It may not be the intention of these celebrities to be associated with powerful women in the past eras but, this fashion statement not only speaks of their prominence, but can also be a powerful tool for her expression.

Corset, though a simple item of clothing, had its share of controversy.  Historically, corsets speak of a conservative male oppression of women.   Young girls were put in corsets to grow accustomed to restrictiveness binding.   In present time fashion designers less likely care about its symbolism of male dominion over women, but in the trend of time, it has become for them a timeless fascination of shaping the female body into a beautiful curvy look, and for the wearers to exude a supreme form of confidence and feminine expression.  Also, there are others that don’t care about its cultural history or its ability to shape a body.  For them corset is an ideal under-garment supporting the back in a comfortable manner – a very practical fashion sense.

In the present time, we see plus size corsets as elegant, ultra alluring, and sophisticated fashion that is available in various styles and colors fabricated from all sorts of materials.  As time evolved, corsets have developed to become distinct from the 16^th and 17^th century.  Today, these are available in different sizes, from small to 3X and above.  They are now worn as outerwear together with jeans in casual or special setting, or even glamorized as evening attire.  They have also evolved into becoming a bra.  Also, corsets are commonly used as lingerie designed to be comfortable and easy for the wearer to get in and out of.

Fascination with these garments had been confirmed in recent corset news.  In the fashion world, corsets are not just sexy fashion; they have become a very profitable undertaking.  Celebrities have custom designed embellished leather corsets, and those made from other rare and artistic materials auctioned for $1000 and above for the benefit of charitable undertaking.

Leather corsets or those made from classic lace or racier PVC are popular today in the lingerie fashion.  They come in various styles and sizes.  Like their outerwear counterparts, numerous designs are available to emphasize the curves of the female physique.  They are carefully designed to satisfy the wearer.   Other details and options were added to a modern lingerie corset.  Many are lined with silk or satin.   Some have optional G-strings and detachable garters; some have front zippers, lace up backs, hook and eye front closure, and adjustable shoulder straps.  Lycra is sometimes added to give more comfort to the wearer.

The powerful women of the past eras may or may not have regarded corsets as a must in their wardrobes.  But for the women of today, modern corsets (from the simplest to the most intricate) have become a powerful tool to express their womanhood.

The Plus Size Advocate - Plus Size Fashion, News & Events