Photo: Ron Fulcher
Pantsuit by Ashley Stewart
It was a rockin’ Saturday night on February 6th when several hundred enthusiastic fashionistas gathered at Historic Sweets Ballroom in updown Oakland for Kiss the Curves: The First Ever Plus-Size Fashion Gala in the Bay Area. The evening included a VIP champagne reception, a runway show featuring seven plus-size designers, standard tunes sung by local artists, and an opportunity to purchase goods designed and made by local artisans.
A mere four months ago, Oakland based actor and plus-size model Tracie Collins had a dream to produce the first ever fashion show for plus-size women. Concerned about the lack of quality, chic designs for full figured women as well as the messages mainstream fashion is sending to young girls, Ms. Collins set about creating an evening where full-figured women were the stars. With the help of dozens of industry professionals, Ms. Collins made her dream come true. Women from across the Bay Area showed up ready to hoot and holler and celebrate, finally designs for them. (Photo: Ron Fulcher)
Rose Goods was there with her three daughters. “I’m a plus size woman,” said Ms. Goods, “and this is the first time ever I have seen clothing for me.” Sitting in the second row of the runway show, Ms. Goods’ cheered for her favorite designs. A grey pantsuit by Ashley Stewart was among Ms. Goods’ list of must-haves for her upcoming 60th birthday.
Choreographed by Charleston Pierce, the runway show hit that rare perfect pace of allowing enough time for the audience to really view the designs and still keep things moving. Mr. Pierce says that he gets the importance of models taking their time on the runway. “I tell the models it’s their job to show off the clothes,” said Mr. Pierce. A former model himself Mr. Pierce is well known in the industry, particularly for his work on the Macy’s Passport annual fashion show.
KBLX -102.9 DJ Sterling James was our Mistress of Ceremony, draped in the natural jewelry designs of Corinthia Peoples. Ms. James entertained and informed the crowd with humor and play, sharing stories about her fashionista grandma while donning Grandma's retro mink cape. Behind the scenes Oakland designer Marie Denee styled the models. Makeup artist Tracey Brown highlighted their beauty, while Petra Albin and Elle created fabulous hair looks.
Congratulations to Ms. Collins and all the people who made Kiss the Curves the fab event of the year!
To view photos of Kiss the Curves visit: http://www.examiner.com/examinerslideshow.html?entryid=1000034
Recent Comments