Queer + Couture = Queerture

A picture tells a thousand words. It is true, so I will let the pictures do most of the talking. The Queerture fashion show was hard work for everyone involved but a joy and a community effort. It was hardest yet for Laura Luna, Creative Xicana, Queer Socialite, and Stylist. Tania Hammidi called Laura, the June Ambrose of the Queer world. Totally fitting. Luna worked for months to put the Femme Fashion portion of the Fashion show together and tapped her seemingly endless resources of AMAZING women and the results were captured by fabulous photographer Kat Helter below. Visit Kat's Portfolio here for more on Queerture!

   

 

                         

Sparrow Fox of Sparrow Beauty Artistry led a terrific team. Sparrow, Courtney and Jen were focused  & on their feet for something like 10 hours doing spectacular hair and makeup for the 18 looks that went down the runway! Clockwise: Courtney is rocking my SweetLeigh Frida headpiece (detailed below) as she prepares to braid Lizeth's hair; a lovely shot of the three stylists; Jen works on Coordinating Stylist, Laura Luna's hair; Sparrow is making Audrey pretty in pink; Courtney and Sparrow finish up with Lizanne and Karla's hair. 

Custom Frida Kahlo Headpiece by SweetLeigh

Custom Pink Sunburst Hat by SweetLeigh

These are the two headpieces by SweetLeigh made especially for the show, modeled by gorgeous Jennifer and lovely Lizeth . I got to feel useful while I soaked up the backstage highlights and did some light adjusting on Lizeth's skirt,  made by Mari of  Vaya Con Fashion. Mari makes cool skirts from Gguayabera shirts! Below Laura Luna wears a  Custom SweetLeigh dress she commissioned. It is refashioned and resized from a vintage ribbon lace dress. Isn't she gorgeous!?

Stylist Laura Luna leads the Femme team down the 
runway for the finale in a custom SweetLeigh dress.

 

  

Above are adorably fierce Anayvette and Krystal rocking their inner "Cholas". Lizanne beautifully channeling Earth mother. Natasha shining in her sari, trained in the Indian dance kathak, glided down the runway.  Luie struts in her fave coveralls she rocks to work at Killer Design & Stylin'. Lastly the finale was Lauren who seemed a natural throwback to circus life in the 40's. Fabulous! 

Juan, Ricardo or Danny? Not sure which one of the fab PA's is rocking the official team shirt in this pic! But I do know that the shirt was custom made and donated by graphic designer/model Natasha of She Said, She Said!

Every Femme look originated out of  a collaboration between Laura and each model. Fashion done with tremendous soul, pride joy and respect for individual style. Sadly all of the models and images won't fit in this blog, but lucky for us it is all on video darlings! It was a joy to meet and work with each and every person involved with Femme Fashion and Queerture! Read more about the other contributing groups/designers at Queerture on Facebook.

xo, Vanessa

Gisela of my heart!

Girl Crush! Designer Crush! Crush! Crush! Crush!

F*ck Flattering is her motto, she designs around a signature bondage skirt and her collection is made of sheers and spandex. I LOVE Gisela Ramirez. I, tend to gravitate to the lady like side of dressing but can't help but want to rock the entire colletion! Sexy and sassy and without hesitation. It's all about the confidence, spirit and how you feel. Gisela must feel AMAZING!

Gisela herself rocking the sack dress. Fabulous.

The famous bondage skirt

I really need this shirt.

Indie Daze!

My trip to New York last month not only introduced me to fabulous bloggers but fabulous independent designers! I caught the Finale runway show at Full Figured Fashion week and found a few new favorite indie designers! This is the first in a series of focus on my fellow Independent fashion designers rocking plus size fashion!




Rachel Kacenjar, creator, designer of Cupcake & Cuddlebunny and Sweetooth Couture 

Rachel Kacenjar Photo Credit Closet Riots on Tumblr

Rachel Kacenjar photo credit Lynn Ischay The Plain Dealer

Rachel's first company, Cupcake & Cuddlebunny is right up my alley with fabulous vintage size 14-28. Charming vintage finds and modified precious wardrobe must haves!

Cupcake & Cuddlebunny Etsy  Listing:  Fondant Gllitter Dress

Sweetooth Couture was easily one of my favorites at Full Figured Fashion week. In 2009 Rachel met the demand of her customers with more modern clubwear and party options. She makes both ready to wear sizes 14-28 and in addition makes one of a kind custom pieces as well as custom sizes if her sizing chart doesn't suit you. Now that's what I'm talking about!

   

 All of the above photos are from the Sweetooth Couture website unless otherwise credited. Check out http://www.etsy.com/shop/cuddlebunny as well. Cheers to modern, youthful fashion for women of size by women of size! Cheers Rachel!

Growing Pains

All Swimsuits by Monif C.

It's been a few weeks since I last checked in and a lot has been going on. I have updated my resume, assessed my debt, been doing tons of research on starting a business. I have also been coveting the Monif C swimsuit above and evaluating myself.


This Monif C. Swimsuit screams Metropolis meets Barbarella poolside glamah! Monif C is a genius, obviously. Completng the vision of beauty is a curvy full figured model with an ideal hourglass figure. The model in this image, may not be a Victoria's Secret model but lately as far as i'm concerned she might as well be. Cause my fabulous curvy body doesn't look like this!

I have recently been inundated with the concepts and practices of "the secret," or the law of attraction; the practice of keeping your intentions at the forefront of your heart and mind. In putting your fullest positive attention to what you want in your life, the universe will respond and opportunities will present themselves to you for the taking.

Ah there's the rub. The taking. All of the skill, charm, charisma and talent in the world may never lead to success if you have no confidence. In recent months my confidence has taken quite a blow. Although i have had a fairly good self image most of my life it has been in combat with my body image at different times in my life.

Lately the battle has become a tug of war. My healthy ego has been losing out to my growing belly and thighs in the wake of some major life transitions. Me and my self esteem have been given a wake up call. I'm getting fatter, and with every pound my confidence is waning. It's day to day whether my skills, talents and charms are leading the way or my body image is.


Which brings up some major questions for me how committed am i to changing my body? How much do i believe i can change my body? How much do i want to change my body? Substitute the word body for life at will. All of this being said I strongly identify as a "plus size woman" or a "big beautiful woman (bbw)" or a curvy full figured woman. All of these identifiers are external labels and as much political as about self acceptance. Lets face it, acceptance should be unconditional for all in theory, self acceptance should be a right, but it's not so simple.

A friend of mine has started using something I said to her once ,when she was in a body low place, as a mantra. She has inspired me to use my own words as a mantra. "I love my body and everyone else's too." Another mantra i've come up with is "leggo my ego."


Now I am as vain as the next girl, but when it comes to my weight - being fit and healthy really is my priority. I believe that healthy comes in many sizes and i am on a journey of reaching all of my goals. One of which is a healthy body which at its most fit is full and curvy and yes i believe beautiful. 

There is a part of me that is thrilled for Jennifer Hudson's weight loss, but shocked that she is continuing to shrink. Horrified but not surprised when she recently admitted that people "treat her better" now that she's thin jennifer hudson.


Keeping your eyes on the prize and holding that vision of what it is you want for yourself, for the people you love and the world at large can be difficult.


Over the last year I have come to some difficult realizations about my behavior, habits and commitment issues. These realizations are difficult but amazing. I'm scared straight, freaking out, and excited as hell at the thought of all to come.


The task at hand is to keep learning how to manage these growing pains of mine. Physically, mentally and emotionally.


xo, 
V