Opening of Runway Finale Event at Full Figured Fashion Week, New York City, June 19, 2010

 And then magic began!  Plus fashion industry legend and body image advocate, Emme, was the gorgeous and effervescent guest host.  She mixed backstage interviews with models and designers that were beamed onto a screen on-stage with her signature bubbly humor, keeping the show moving smoothly.   And, she even took a turn on the catwalk herself, showing that she definitely still has all the moves.  Executive Producer, Gwen DeVoe, whose vision and chutzpah in standing up to a thin-centric fashion industry, is the driving force behind Full Figured Fashion Week. She made appearances on stage throughout the evening in a series of dresses created by Delali Haligah of OSUN Designs.  The catwalk, itself, was filled with familiar faces.  Some like Mia Amber Davis have walked for DeVoe Signature Events for years.  Others, like Nicole Lebris and Jordan Tesfay, are highly recognizable from multiple national print campaigns. And recognizable from our own pages was Maggie Brown who was featured in a rare Elegant Plus editorial photographed by Sita Mae Edwards and styled by Bette Tilch.  She then went on to win Tyra's Thick and Sexy Top Model on the the Tyra Banks Show, sign with Wilhelmina Models, work on national campaigns... and walk the runway this week.

Susan Moses - Full Figured Fashion Week, New York City, June 19, 2010

With other highly visible plus models like Crystal Renn walking the catwalk for mainstream labels like Chanel, Tara Lynn on the cover of French Elle, and Ashley Graham's much talked about television spot for Lane Bryant lingerie, the fact that Gwen DeVoe and Full Figured Fashion Week consciously pushes the envelope even further in the use of an even greater range of plus model body types is significant.  Signed agency plus models are still mainly in the size 10 to 14 range, with some as small as a 6/8 considered plus and only a very few 18 to 20's represented. All are at least 5'8" with evenly distributed hourglass curves. Keep in mind the average American woman is 5'4" and wears a size 14, and one third wear a size 16 or larger.  Plus size apparel typically begins at a 14 or 16W, although a women's cut does appear occasionally as small as a 10 or 12W.  While height certainly wasn't compromised on the catwalk that evening, a much greater diversity of shapes and sizes than are typically seen in fashion certainly were represented.  And for this aspect alone the event was an important contribution to the on-going negotiation for the self-esteem, freedom of expression, and identity of American women. These models and affairs are in the trenches fighting on our behalf. The next chapter in the cultural story surveyed by the exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum was being debated, challenged and written right before our very eyes with major media outlets bearing witness.