The biggest fashion event of the year is over, but  its  impact certainly remains and be the beginning of something bigger for the plus size fashion industry.   Held in June 16-19 2010, the Full Figured Fashion Week in Manhattan showcasing  the plus size fashion industry at its best was another phenomenal success that had caught media’s attention. In its second year, the 4-day event covered a runway model competition, workshops, fashion shows, and panel discussions on the industry – everything about curvy appreciation.  FFFWeek  rocked NYC, this time bigger and bolder.

The  runway shows  with models in their fearless walk showcasing outfits by distinguished designers from across the nation have drawn crowds of around 300 and  have caught the eyes of fashion allies and bloggers online.  The Curvy Fashionista writes, “The FFFW exceeded expectations of the packed crowd”.   And Editor Stephanie Penn-Danforth of the The  Daily Venus Diva says “Full Figured Fashion Week has lived up to all of my expectations and more.”

The opening night showcased a varied collection from  T-shirts and jeans to trendier, sexier couture by distinguished designers in the industry.   As expected the featured designs were created for bodies size 12 and above representing 60%  of American women.

San Francisco designer  Chan.nel Karama in her debut for the Full Figured Fashion Week opening runway night was named as Full Figured Fashion Week Look of the Day.

Although there was only one winner in the runway model competition, 10 lucky girls were given the opportunity to live their dream walk through the runways clad in beautiful apparels.  The winner went home with a $1000 cash prize and two VIP tickets to the finale event.

From seven last year, this year’s event  gained the support of over 30  sponsors which includes big names in the industry like Lane Bryant,  Revlon, T.J. Maxx, LucieLu, Pure Energy, Just My Size, Re/Dress, and the newly launched Sonsi.com, a social commerce that serves as an online fashion retailer and social networking site in one, exclusively for plus size women.

Full Figured Fashion Week is becoming more popular that it was graced by few celebrities including America’s Next Top Model voluptuous winner Whitney Thompson and ex-Project Runway contestant Qristyl Frazier.

This year’s Full Figured Fashion Week brings closer between the plus size consumers, designers and retailers.  Gwendolyn DeVoe, executive producer of Full Figured Fashion Week says “Every curvy girl that has a dollar is willing to spend that dollar.”  The potential market for plus size fashion is growing.  Ms. Devoe  also says “Plus size customers spend a collective 25 dollars on apparel  each year”.

Full Figured Fashion Week,   fashion allies and curvy leaders deserves a commendation in bringing the plus size fashion into the forefront.