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/

Commercial for Curves in Couture Show 17 November  2011, London

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

{No copyright infringement intended, of photos or videos - if there is any problem please contact us for attribution or rectification}

DIPLOMATS BREAKFAST MEETING WITH LORD RICHARD NEWBY (CHAIR OF IDS)

On Monday 14^th November, I was kindly invited by Young Diplomats in London (YDL) and Diplomat Magazine to a breakfast meeting with Lord Richard Newby.

Lord Richard Newby, Chair of International Development through Sport (IDS) spoke about “harnessing the power of sport to change lives”. He was especially passionate about how sport empowers young girls in developing countries and how they are keen to develop that project in other countries. He mentioned the success of the Go Sisters Project in Zambia. For more information see the profile of IDS below and their webpage on the UK Sport International website. www.uksport.gov.uk/pages/ids/

International Inspiration [copyright Unicef  UK]

The meeting ended with a Q and A session with Lord Newby on the topic he so eloquently spoke about. My question to him was specifically regarding the IDS strategy in ensuring sustainability of the IDS sports projects specifically to empower young girls when faced by patriarchal societies, this being my area of expertise.  I was intrigued with the IDS girl empowerement sports projects having myself worked in girls education programmes in developing countries for 10 years. Lord Newby responded by clarifying that the aim of IDS was to work with the relevant ministries, local government structures and local charities in the countries where they have programmes. This ensured a sense of ownership with the beneficiaries of the projects.

International Inspiration [copyright Unicef  UK]

International Inspiration [copyright Unicef  UK]

The Young Diplomats in London (YDS) exective team handed over a cheque to Lord Newby to support the work of IDS. The money had been raised in the summer at the Virgin Active triathlon that the YDS team had taken part in. On 30^th July 2011, the YDS took on the herculean task of doing the Virgin Active triathlon in London to raise money for IDS. They have done an incredible job so far and should be commended if you want to contribute and support YDL and IDS please go to their fundraising page http://www.justgiving.com/YDL

A member of the YDL committee from Greece took some group photos to finish off the auspicious breakfast event.

It was a lovely breakfast meeting hosted at the quaint Hyatt Regency hotel near Oxford street, central London. During the meeting we had sat down to a sumptuous breakfast of fresh bread, pastries, juices, cheese platter, various cold meats and followed by a delicious fruit salad.

After the meeting, I took to Oxford street for some much needed pre-Christmas retail therapy and started doing some impressive cardio looking for various bargains on the incredibly seasonal decorated famous Oxford street department stores. Watch out everyone the shoppers about!!

PROFILE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SPORTS (IDS)

Video: International inspiration in Mozambique (copyright UNICEF UK)

Harnessing the power of sport to change lives

IDS is an international development charity that harnesses the power of sport to transform the lives of some of the poorest children in the world by giving them the chance to play sport, develop their skills and confidence and live healthier, happier and safer lives.

Through sport we can identify and develop the young leaders of tomorrow, raise aspirations of girls, boys and children with disabilities, tackle daunting health challenges and build bridges in places scarred by conflict and natural disasters.

IDS works with local organisations in the developing world to support community-based projects that use sport as a means to:

·         Empower girls and children with disabilities

·         Develop young leaders and educators with sport and life skills

·         Deliver effective HIV/AIDS education and awareness

·         Offer disaster and trauma relief and rehabilitation

·         Assist with peace-building in communities affected by conflict.

IDS is UK Sport’s international charity. While UK Sport supports the administration of the charity, IDS is an independent UK-registered charity (reg. No 1001564).

Video: Colin Jackson visits International Inspiration (copyright UNICEF UK)

IDS Programmes

We specialise in assisting small grass roots organisations in developing countries.  It is our policy not to open our own offices in the field – instead we provide direct support to local organisations that are rooted in local communities and are driven by the needs of local people. IDS helps young people access sport and the benefits it brings.  All the projects that we support are driven by young people trained as youth peer leaders and educators. They cascade their skills and knowledge to thousands of children and youth in their schools and communities through a range of sporting and educational activities, which are devised and run by the young people themselves. This approach ensures that our programmes very cost effective, sustainable and have a lasting impact.

IDS is supporting a range of programmes in the Southern Africa region. They enable children from the world’s poorest communities to share in the experience of sport and leadership.

In South Africa, IDS, through the Big Lottery Fund, is supporting a five-year HIV/AIDS awareness through football programme to train 1,600 youth peer leaders and educators in sports, leadership skills and HIV/AIDS prevention. The programme will impact on a total of 19,600 children in 12 communities across three of the poorest provinces in South Africa.

In Zambia, the Go Sisters project, supported through the Department for International Development (DFID), reaches hundreds of vulnerable and disadvantaged girls and young women have had the opportunity to participate in physical activity, develop as leaders and role models, as well as arm themselves with vital life-saving HIV/AIDS and hygiene information.

In Zambia, IDS supports a sport and recreation programme that uses sport to rehabilitate girls and women engaged in the commercial sex, to break down stigma and to provide a platform for health education.

Video: International Inspiration in South Africa (copyright UNICEF UK)

East Africa

In Tanzania, IDS supports the National Sports Council to implement the Beckwith International Leadership Development (BILD) Programme. Four centres for leadership development have been established in Tanzania as part of a plan to build independent training capacity in Tanzania.

In Kenya, the Moving the Goalpost project in the Kilifi district uses football to help 3,000 underprivileged girls and young women to become peer and community leaders, to develop their life skills, to educate them about their reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and their rights and to empower them economically.

Research Projects

Presently, IDS is carrying out 2 long-term research projects to build robust evidence around the impact of sport in development and to understand the conditions required for sport to be an effective development intervention.

IDS programme participants say:

“Being involved with sport means I now have a lot of leadership skills, am self-confident, I can stand up in front of people and express myself. I can teach my peers too.” Florence Mwila, 20yrs, Go Sisters female peer leader.

“Sport gives us hope that we can always live up to expectations, achieve our dreams, goals and desires”, Michael Igbokoyi 17yrs, male peer leader.

THE YOUNG DIPLOMATS IN LONDON (YDL) VIRGIN ACTIVE LONDON TRIATHLON 30^TH JULY 2011 TO RAISE FUNDS FOR IDS

(copyright Young Diplomats in London)

YDL has identified International Development Through Sport (IDS) as its designated charity for all funds raised through the generous giving of the YDL members, family and friends of the participants in the London Triathlon.

This year YDL has had six members agree to participate in the 2011 London Triathlon at the Docklands on Saturday 30 July and raise money for the charity International Development Through Sport:  http://www.uksport.gov.uk/pages/ids/

The YDL London Triathlon Teams are:

Young Diplomats in London Team 1: Race Time: 14:45

 (Sprint Triathlon – 750m swim/20km bike ride/5km run) 

 Ian White (swim) - UK National Commission to UNESCO

 Philip Worley (cycle) - UK Trade and Investment

 Penny Papadopoulou (run) – Embassy of Greece

 Young Diplomats in London Team 2: Race Time 13:15

 (Olympic Triathlon – 1.5km swim/40km bike ride/10km run) 

 Mike Guy (swim) - The Bahamas High Commission

 Thomas Nemes (cycle) - Tetra Strategy

 Chris Ioannou (run) - Lloyds Banking Group

About Young Diplomats in London YDL  

YDL provides members with opportunities to network at our various events (working breakfasts, sporting activities, evening socials) but also with the opportunity to discover the City of London, and beyond, and make lifelong friendships.

Charitable giving is a core ideal of the YDL and last year managed to raise over £5,000 for different charities from events it organized.  For every paid event that YDL organizes there will be a designated charity that YDL will partner with, keeping up with a long tradition of community giving.

 YDL is about connecting people, in providing the opportunities for dialogue and exchange to occur and is not only for Diplomats, as our network includes members from all walks of life, from PR Professionals to Bankers, Lawyers, NGO Activists and many others, all of whom we are proud to call our friends.

To learn more about YDL please visit our website at: www.ydlondon.net or join our Group on Facebook.

BIOGRAPHY LORD RICHARD NEWBY (copyright www.parliament.gov.uk )

Video: Lord Newby giving career advice 

Lords career

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for: Trade and Industry 1998-2000, The Treasury 1998-2010

All party groups (office-holding)

Vice-chair Social Enterprises Group 2003-; Treasurer Design and Innovation Group 2005-; Vice-chair Business, Finance and Accountacy Group 2006-; Treasurer: Insolvency Group 2009-, Corporate Responsibility Group 2009-; Secretary Statistics Group 2009-

Party groups

Deputy Chair, Liberal Democrat General Election Team 1995-97; Liberal Democrat Campaigns and Communications Committee 1995-2006; Chief of Staff to Charles Kennedy as Leader of the Liberal Democrats 1999-2006

Political interests

Europe, regional development

Countries of interest

Eastern Caribbean, Pakistan, South Africa

Name, style and title

Raised to the peerage as Baron Newby, of Rothwell in the County of West Yorkshire 1997

Directorships

1.     Chairman, Live Consulting Ltd (acts as consultant and project manager in field of corporate social responsibility)

2.    Chairman, Live Sport CIC (acts as project manager for education programmes in UK and internationally which use sport as a catalyst for education and personal development)

Non Financial Interests

1.     Trustee, North West University UK Trust (the University is in South Africa)

2.    Trustee, Coltstaple Trust

3.    Trustee, IDS (International Development through Sport) UK

4.    Chair, Sport at The Prince's Trust

5.    Chair, IDS (International Development through Sport)

6.    Member, NCVO Advisory Council

7.    Member, Advisory Board, CentreForum

8.    Director, Sport for Life Inc (Barbados)

9.    Director, Sport for Life Trinidad and Tobago

10.  Director, Sport for Life St Vincent and the Grenadines

11.  Trustee, Sport for Life Pakistan (programme for children and young people that combines education and sport; all Sport for Life entities are not-for-profit companies or trusts)

(Lord Newby Bio copyright www.parliament.gov.uk )