Red Carpet International: CURVES IN COUTURE SHOW MAKES HISTORY IN LONDON FOR MODELS OF DIVERSITY!

WEBSITE http://www.modelsofdiversity.org/curvesincouture/

PRESS PACK http://www.modelsofdiversity.org/curvesincouture/CurvesInCouturePressPack.pdf

ADVANCE CENTRE http://www.advancecentres.blogspot.com/2011/10/top-london-charity-fashion-show-curves.html

THE TABARNACLE http://www.tabernaclew11.com/

On 17th November, I attended the Curves in Couture charity fashion show as a VIP guest, at the Tabernacle in Notting Hill West London in aid of the Advance Centre. I was kindly invited by the founder of Models of Diversity Angel Sinclair, a former model and now CEO of Sinclair Management. There was a strong media presence inside and outside waiting to snap the celebrities from the world of fashion and TV.

Having struggled with weight all my life I personally support the Models of Diversity campaign to see more curves in couture shows. As a third generation diplomat, I had a negative body image having traveled and lived all my life in major fashionable capitals around the world. In the diplomatic circles we were going to one fashionable gala after another since I could walk. The magazines I was exposed to as well for a long time gave me the impression that curves were bad even though I admired the curvy screen goddesses in the Golden era of Hollywood. I am now very happy with whatever weight I am and find an acceptable balance between my health and curvy body confidence needs. I had scrimmaged through the vintage shops of London and found the perfect plus size floral and lace mini dress and matching stockings and headband. As I walked up the red carpet, with the media taking my photos I fully comprehended how important this evening would be for plus size body confidence and curvy fashionistas everywhere.

The Curves in Couture catwalk show featured healthy, curvy models and fundraised for The Advance Centre, a wonderful organization that helps the families of brain-damaged children. As the main patron of The Advance Centre, the Countess Sondes was invited as well as Caroline Rush, the CEO of the British Fashion Council.

Natalie Cassidy (Actress & TV Star)

THE DIVERSITY SHOW

The evening started with a heart warming introduction of the “Diversity Show” by curvy actress , TV presenter and former Eastenders (British Soap) star Natalie Cassidy. Natalie has been written about in the press for her weight for a long time and has been a size 8 to size 16 but has now learnt to love her body. She looked stunning and stood proud and dignified in a floor length corseted black dress which was intricately decorated.

THE HIGH FASHION - CURVES IN COUTURE SHOW

After a storming first catwalk show, Natalie handed over the reigns to the incredibly sexy and funny Pamela Stephenson who presented the high fashion Curves in Couture catwalk show opened by Kelly Knox (winner of BBC3’s Britain’s Missing Top Model). Ms Stephenson looked youthful and stunning in her black and pink dress from the Renaissance collection. As Zandra Rhodes was in the front row, Pamela lightened the mood with a joke about how she wore backwards a dress designed by Ms Rhodes and it made the press.

Pamela Stephenson presenting C in C Show

Pamela Stephenson & Husband (Hollywood Actor Billy Connolly)

Apart from the glittering stars who presented the show and strutted on the runway, some movers and shakers graced the front row of the show.

(1) Zandra Rhodes - She has designed for clients as diverse as Diana, Princess of Wales, Jackie Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor and Freddie Mercury of the rock group'Queen'. She continues to clothe and design the rich and famous around the world from royalty to rock stars including: HRH Princess Michael of Kent, Debbie Harry, Bianca Jagger, Kylie Minogue, Anastasia, Paris Hilton, Joan Rivers and the late Isabella Blow.

www.zandrarhodes.com/biography/indexbiography.html

Zandra Rhodes (Fashion legend with pink hair), Angel Sinclair in silver, Miss Trinadad & Tobago

(2) Eve Pollard - She was the second female editor, in modern times, of a national newspaper in the UK editing the Sunday Mirror from 1987–1991 and the Sunday Express from 1991-1994. Wendy Henry, former editor of the News of the World and the Sunday People, was the first. In 1985 she was launch editor-in-chief of ELLE magazine in the US and edited the Sunday magazine for the News of the World and You magazine for the Mail on Sunday. She has also worked in television as features editor of TV-am (1982–1983), and devised the series Frocks-on-the-Box for the ITV contractor TVS during the 1980s, a series which ran for two thirteen-part series.[1] She has often appeared on radio and TV and was a regular participant in Through the Keyhole. In 2003 Pollard was a guest panelist on the award winning talk show Loose Women.

www.eveatdonna.co.uk/

(3) Lynn Featherstone (MP) - Home Office and Government Equalities Office 2010, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Equalities) 2010 until present

www.parliament.uk/biographies/lynne-featherstone/31718

(4) Caroline Rush, the CEO of the British Fashion Council http://www.britishfashioncouncil.com/

VIDEO { Caroline Rush (British Fashion Council) Interview - Chic Chat - THE OUTNET

(5) Velvet D’Amour - is the stage name of the U.S.-born woman best known via the worldwide media coverage she received after her appearance as a plus-size model in Jean-Paul Gaultier's 2007 Spring/Summer prêt-à-porter collection shown in Paris in October 2006. She also made a catwalk appearance in John Galliano's prêt-à-porter showing entitled "Everybody is Beautiful" in 2006, and in the associated French Vogue article featuring photography by Nick Knight.

www.velvetography.com/

(5 ) The Catwalk Professor a.k.a Mr Fierce star and model trainer of ITV2’s Models, Misfits and Mayhem which just finished in November in the UK. He was wearing a stunning avante-garde outfit by London based designer Anoosh Naghibi who also featured on the ITV2 show. The Catwalk Professor has been crowned 3 years running as best fashion choreographer in the UK at the BEFFTA awards.

I was incredibly excited to see my girl crush curvy black model, Tocarra Jones from America’s next top model. Toccara, Lizzi Miller and Robyn Lawley, three curvy top models who have re-defined the industry strutted their stuff on the catwalk to much whoop and applause. Those who may not have heard these ladies I feel it is imperative that I regale you with their climb up the haute couture social ladder.

L to R Italian Vogue Black Issue - Toccara Jones, Veronica Webb, Chanel Iman, Tyra Banks, Beverly Johnson, Noemie Lenoir

Toccara Jones Plus Size top model of colour gracing a cover

(1) Toccara Jones is an American fashion model, occasional actress and television personality. Jones was a contestant on the third season of the UPN series America's Next Top Model, where she finished in seventh place. Since ANTM, Jones signed with Wilhelmina Models as a plus-size model. She has been on the covers of Be, The Next Level Magazine (November 2005), Black Men magazine, Black Hair magazine, Braids magazine, and King magazine (February/March 2006, March/April 2006, and April 2008), Plus Model Magazine (October 2011). She appeared in the December 2008 issue of Ebony magazine. She was photographed by Steven Meisel for the July, all black issue of Vogue Italia and had a 14 page spread in the magazine.[7] The "Black Issue" featured significant past and current black models in response to the "black out" of black models preventing them from getting hired for print and runway jobs. As of May 2010, she has landed her first major UK modelling job with High Street store Evans, modelling their Summer collection.

Toccara’s website and video for Toccara's Fabulous Workout workout for Real Size Woman

www.iamtoccara.com/

Lizzie Miller plus size top model gracing a cover

(2) Lizzie Miller - Lizzie Miller gained fame via internet and media discussions surrounding a photograph published in the September 2009 issue of U.S. Glamour as part of a story on women who are comfortable in their own skin. The photograph, which shows Miller's un-retouched stomach, including a visible roll of fat, "caused a storm in the fashion world."

website www.lizziemiller.com/

Robyn Lawley, Curvy top model in Vogue

Robyn Lawley, curvy model in high fashion magazine

(3) Robyn Lawley - She has graced the cover of Vogue Italia and French Elle, Australian Cosmopolitan Magazine and has added her inimitable poise to countless editorials. Now, Australian model Robyn Lawley is enjoying her first starring role in her home edition of Vogue magazine.

And, breaking 52 years of Australian Vogue protocol, Ms Lawley is the first ever plus-size model to appear in the glossy's pages

Whitney Thompson winning America's next top Model, with host Tyra Banks and J Alexander

Whitney Thompson on the red carpet oozing curvy glamour

(4) Whitney Thompson - Thompson competed against thirteen other contestants to win Cycle 10 of America's Next Top Model.Thompson has been on the cover of Jacksonville Magazine August 2005, October 2005, March 2006, and August 2008, as well as Plus Model Magazine January 2010, Animal Fair Magazine, and Supermodels Unlimited,September/October 2008. She's also the spokesmodel for Smile Stylists, modeled for Metrostyle, JC Penney, People Magazine, Diana Warner Jewelry, Forever 21, Saks Fifth Avenue, the face for Torrid, Converse One Star, Fashion Bug, and a campaign with Pure Energy/Target, Fall 2010. She's also an ambassador for the National Eating Disorders Association, and a spokesperson for the Right Fit brand of Fashion Bug. She has also shot a Covergirl commercial with Rihanna.In December 2009/January 2010, Whitney became a model for the Faith 21 line by Forever 21

Fashion Spot www.forums.thefashionspot.com/f52/robyn-lawley-132199.html

DESIGNERS

The designers who featured on the show brought colour and flavour to the catwalk:

1. Renaissance designs http://www.renaissancecreativedesign.co.uk/
2. Anna Scholz http://www.annascholz.com/
3. Erin Lacey http://www.erinlaceydesigns.carbonmade.com/
4. Danielle Liane http://www.danielleliane.blogspot.com/
5. Jill Alexander http://www.jillalexanderdesigns.com/
6. Carolyn De La Drapiėre http://www.drapiere.com/
7. Ilda Di Vico http://www.ildadivico.com/

An Ilda Di Vico Hat, Bespoke Couture hat

However the star of the night who was greeted with the biggest cheer of the night was Linda Scotson, founder of The Advance Centre. After watching an uplifting video from the Advance centre about their unique technique in rehabilitating children with disabilities. There was not a dry eye in the hall, and Linda came on stage to give a very passionate speech on behalf of the children they want to help and the incredible breakthroughs they have had. If you want to help the Advance centre by fundraising or sponsoring any of their activities go to
http://www.advancecentres.com/

I was so fortunate to be invited to this incredible historic event and I would not have missed it for the world. The fashion shows were incredible and the models stunning, I left feeling inspired and empowered too. As I was getting up from my seat I glanced at super dance group Flawless (Britain’s Got Talent/ Street Dance 3D) suavely dressed and colour coordinated. Unfortunately due to nursing an illness for 2 weeks I had to forfeit the glamorous after party at the Queensbury Club in South Kensington. I got my faux fur coat and dashed outside with the paparazzi still waiting and got into a warm cab back to London Bridge.

TO READ ABOUT MORE PLUS SIZE ICONS GO TO

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plus-size_model

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