A-List Designers featured in Full Figured Fashion Week™ Finale

There are only a few weeks left before the plus fashion event of the year! Full Figured Fashion Week™ June 16-June 19 in New York will be a week full of workshops, fashion shows, model competition and just all around curvy appreciation.

The Finale Showcase on June 19 at the Park Central Hotel will surely be a star studded event! With Celebrity Plus Model Emme as the host, the Finale will not only have the hottest fashion from across the country but it will include an awards ceremony honoring the most popular plus industry trailblazers.

Below are the designers featured during the finale:

Pheline

Born in Jamaica and raised in Toronto, Ava Jones developed an early passion for fashion design. In 2009, Jones established her company, Pheline and debuted her ready to wear collection at the Fuller Woman Expo both in Canada and the United States. The collection, inspired by the figure flattering femininity of the 50′s and 60′s- was designed and created with a fuller figured woman in mind.

Osun Designs

The House of OSUN was established in New York City in 1982 by Delali Osun Haligah. OSUN Designs (pronounced aw-shoon), is named after the Yoruba Deity of all that is beautiful, sensual and womanly. With no two designs alike and each OSUN creation is as individual as its wearer! Delali’s specialties are large hand painted, symbols, bold splashes of color, hand dying and beading. The designs are a combination of contemporary style with a distinctly Ancient flavour.

Lotis

Canadian line, Lotis, was created by this powerhouse trio design team to fill a demand for quality casual and business attire. Lotis’ mission is to effectively outfit the professional woman, on the clock AND off the clock, by providing pieces that are conservative with an edge. The line brings versatile fashion forward pieces in casual wear and career wear; chic with a twist of flattering details.

Jewel Shannon Couture

The Jewel Shannon Couture Collection features couture evening and bridal gowns for the sophisticated woman of class and style; designed to fit the specific taste of the exclusive clientele. With unique detail, this collection is created with a difference using a variety of beautiful and rare fabrics. The newest addition to her fashion house is the beautiful Island Jewelz Plus Size Resort Wear Collection which was debut at Full Figured Fashion Week™ in 2009. “My collection is for the woman who is sophisticated, unique, sexy, smart, confident yet mysterious regardless of their size.” As Jewel Shannon continues to create couture garments for individuals with exceptional fashion taste, she can be described as A Gem in the fashion world and a designer to be followed in the future.

K. Renee Designs

A native of San Francisco, CA. Kathy was blessed with the gift of sewing at a very early age making clothes for family, friends and for herself. Be careful not to label Kathy an “ordinary” seamstress. She is a woman with great creativity and techniques and primarily focuses her energy in creating attractive designs for the full figured fashion world. Being careful not to limit herself, she also designs for all sizes. With over 30+ years of experience, if you can imagine it, she can create it.

LaMaica Fashions

Jamaican born, Florida based designer; Marvalyn Nelson has been creating ravishing male and female designs for over 25 years. LaMaica Fashions originates in the lush island of Jamaica and is now based in the U.S. Her 2009 showcase during Full Figured Fashion Week™ was nothing short of spectacular. Marvalyn continues to impact the fashion industry internationally and locally. Look out for a new collection of handbags coming soon.

Monif C. Plus Sizes

Plus size fashion staple Monif C. has earned her rightful title as one of the best designers for plus size women. With her trendy and flirty aesthetic, Monif C. designs remits exceptional structure and quality presentation for the contemporary plus size woman and when it comes down to swimsuits Monif C. is considered the reigning queen of design.

Qristyl Frazier Designs

Season 6 Project Runway’s alumni, Qristyl Frazier, has served (and will continue to serve) women from ages 22 to 55 – from size 12 to size 24. Her clients are established, tasteful women, who desire stylish, yet practical clothing to fit their active careers and lifestyles. Qristyl Frazier Designs, Inc. has unparalleled flexibility, attention to detail and utilitarianism, and great passion for the real women in the plus size market.

Susan Moses by Susan Moses

Susan Moses’ career as a celebrity stylist has spanned more than a decade and she has dressed some of the most visible celebrities in music and film. This roster today includes, Brandy, Hillary Duff, Mo’nique, Queen Latifah, Kathy Bates, Emme, Wynonna Judd, Chaka Khan, Angie Stone, Gabourey Sidibe, Jill Scott and a host of others. Her greatest inspiration has been styling curvy women. She has always believed that styling is beyond size. So it is only natural to evolve into the design studio. Susan Moses has partnered with Sunil Ramchandani a former designer at Anne Klein to create a beautiful collection of runway inspired garments that is totally “style beyond size”.

Tru Diva

The True Diva collection offers a variety of style to the contemporary plus size fashionista. From bohemian looks to elegant evening gowns, TRU DIVA communicates style, edge, and sophistication.

IGIGI

“There isn’t much of a difference in designing for a voluptuous body versus a straight sized body. Ultimately, every woman wants to accent their best features, deemphasize their areas of concern, and be able to strut confidently in clothes they love. My job is to do just that”, says Ukranian-born designer, Yuliya. IGIGI’s customer is a stylish, confident and empowered woman who appreciates the beauty in all things in life.

Bella Donna Designs (tribute to the late Charles Coleman of Bella Donna Designs)

Long-time friend and business colleague of FFFWeek™ Executive Producer Gwen DeVoe, and designer of 20 years, the late Charles Coleman inspired fashion with cutting edge designs for the sophisticated plus size woman who dared to be distinct. Mr. Coleman’s flare for creating classic couture for curvy silhouettes will live on through the collection he left behind.

For more information, visit www.FFFWeek.com

Features Editor, Cassandra Jones-McBryde -- Daily Venus Diva.

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Cassandra Jones-McBryde serves as Features Editor for Daily Venus Diva. She is US Director of the Fuller Women Expo, responsible for bringing together a number of outstanding local and international speakers and celebrities, seminars and workshops that attract attendees, sponsors, vendors and exhibitors from throughout North America. She also the Founder of The Fuller Woman Network which is a network of women from across the world who share our mission of self-love. Cassandra is also the co-founder and C.E.O. Pretty Girl Project, a non profit organization that helps girls realize their inner and outer beauty during critical stages of development. This is achieved by various initiatives and programs developed throughout the year. Where Are You From: I was born and raised proudly in Detroit. What were you doing before writing for DailyVenusDiva.com: I had written for a few independent online magazines until being blessed with being on the Daily Venus Diva team. What do you do for DailyVenusDiva.com: As Features Editor, I will bring news and information that resonates with our readers that effects various aspects of our lives. What does it mean to Thrive In Your Curves: It means to live unashamed of how we look, to learn not let our curves limit or dictate our destiny What is your favorite hobby: My favorite hobbies are creating initiatives that are geared to serving my community and volunteering for the same. That takes up most of my time. What is in your future: I don’t try to predict the future. I try to let God order my steps. What’s so special about DailyVenusDiva.com: A better question is what isn’t special about it! You will be hard pressed to find a site that caters to every aspect of women, that just happens to have more to love. I feel privileged to be a part of such an impactful group of women.