FFFWeek Day 4 - Social Media Panel and Bloomingdales Fashion Show

Thursday morning brought the Full Figured Fashion Front hosted Social Media Panel, and the much anticipated Bloomingdales fashion show. I bought the most amazing dress to wear - a Melissa Masse maxi dress with a boat neck and an STUNNING print!!! I think it was probably my favourite outfit of the week, and I got so many compliments. In fact, I think it's probably my favourite thing in my closet - and you all know that's saying something.

The social media panel was great - very informative and helpful. Gaelle and I were commissioned to check in all the guests - and it was great to meet and greet all the attendees.

The lovely Gaelle of The Curvy and Curly Closet and I checking guests in for the panel

The panel, from L to R, Heather McGarry, Marketing Manager for Lane Bryant, Carina Sullivan, Senior Marketing Co-ordinator for Evans, Dina Fierro, VP of Social Media for PR firm HL Group, and FFFWeek Blogger of the Year, Ty from Gorgeous in Grey, and moderator Marie Denee from The Curvy Fashionista (looking stunning and also wearing Melissa Masse!)

After the panel, we headed straight over to Bloomingdales to secure our front row seats for the fashion show.

A few shots of the amazing Melissa Masse dress...

Dress - Melissa Masse via Saks Fifth Avenue (online only)/Handbag - Michael Kors via Holt Renfrew/Shoes - Betsey Johnson via Town Shoes/Bracelet - Addition Elle/Earrings - Vintage

Here are a few of my favourite designs from the runway!

Ralph Lauren Plus Sizes -

Vince Camuto Plus Sizes -

This is the one I bought on Wednesday before the white cruise! Can't wait to show you my pics!

MICHAEL Michael Kors Plus Sizes

Tahari Woman Plus Sizes

Adrianna Pappell Plus Sizes

So which designer is your fav???

FFFWeek Day 3, Part 2 - The Annual White Cruise

So after the Lane Bryant Blogger Conference, there was a bit of time for shopping (which I definitely took advantage of!). I picked up an amazing Vince Camuto dress that ended up getting shown in the Bloomingdales runway show later in the week and a gorgeous Dior lipstick. After that, I had to really hurry back to get ready for the white cruise!

I chose to wear a lovely caftan style dress that I had seen in the window of H&M when they debuted their eco-conscious collection. I remember looking at it and thinking - hey, that looks like it'll fit me!!! I waltzed right in, grabbed a large, tried it on, was amazed, and no longer had to worry at all about what I'd be wearing to this event. Don't be afraid to check out the straight size stores - you'd never know what treasures you'll find there!

Dress - H&M (straight size from the eco-conscious collection)/Belt - Addition Elle/Shoes - New Look/Handbag - Michael Kors via Holt Renfrew/Necklace - Forever 21

Olivia from Wait Until the Sunset, Me, and Mouna from Brussels Fatshion

Beck from Manfattan, Jennifer from Jasiferlionsclub, and Ty from Gorgeous in Grey

Sam from Curvy Sam

Rebecca from The Plus Side of Me

It was a lovely cruise of the NY harbour. I got to meet lots more lovely ladies, and everyone looked stunning! Who says plus size women can't wear white? Stay tuned for my next post - a how-to article featuring all white looks and Addition Elle!

FFFWeek Day 3, Part 1 - The Lane Bryant Blogger Conference

Bright and early Wednesday morning, Lane Bryant hosted a blogger conference that started in their flagship store on 34th Street. We were all invited to come out, have a little breakfast, mix and mingle, and experience their new location.

 

Bloggers Monique from Curves and Chaos and Jennifer from Jasiferlionsclub

 

I know I took a lot of pictures of the Cacique (lingerie) section, but I just love it! Lane Bryant sent me an outfit to wear for the blogger styling challenge, and so I decided to wear that to the conference.

 

 

Pants and Top - c/o Lane Bryant/Shoes - New Look/Rucksack - Your Big Sister's Closet/Necklace - Marc by Marc Jacobs via Shopbop

 

 

Here is the photo I used for the styling challenge:

 

After the breakfast and exploring the flagship, we headed back to the conference venue to review a few new styles for Fall and have a Q & A session.

Me with fellow Curvy and City CHICness Bloggers, Nikki, Tanysha, and Robin



 

Some fabulous looks arriving at Lane Bryant this Fall:

 

 

It was a really fun morning! Make sure you stay tuned for my next FFFWeek installment, featuring a FFFWeek tradition - the annual White Cruise! 



FFFWeek Day 2 - Press/Buyers' Reception and Curves for a Cure Celebrity Runway Show

So the morning after the Denim and Diamonds event, I had a meeting at The Bromley Group with new plus size lingerie label Curvy Couture. I was excited to meet with them because I'd seen several photos of their collection and the stuff looked amazing - super sexy but also very wearable and comfy. I met with Dora Lau, the founder of the line, who worked for many years with a major plus size lingerie brand as a primary designer and supplier. Her knowledgeability and experience definitely showed as she brought me through the collection piece by piece, highlighting several clever design features she incorporated specifically for plus size women. I loved the brand and the products so much that I've decided to carry it in my store! We should have a good range in by Fall.

Me with Curvy Couture founder Dora Lau

After meeting with Curvy Couture, I walked around a bit and tried to figure out how I could get internet on my phone because I wanted to keep updating all of my social networks at each of the events. What a chore! Hahaha. I looked and looked, but I couldn't find anywhere that could unlock a Canadian phone so I could move to a pay-as-you-go plan for the week. It took a couple of trips out in the city and a lot of research, but I was eventually able to get a pay-as-you-go plan on a mobile hotspot from T-Mobile, so if you're looking for short-term internet access on your phone in the US, they're your guys!
 
After a bit of running around trying to get the internet issue sorted, I headed back to the hotel to get ready for the Press and Buyers' reception. This was a really great event because I got to meet all the designers who would be showcasing at the runway shows. It was very helpful to see some of the designers' clothing up close and in-person.

Beautiful Dress from French line OnOz

Gorgeous retro plus size polka dot bikini from Swimsuits For All

Dress by Kaylene

Amazing Lingerie by Curvy Couture

Stunning dress by Youtheary Khmer

What I Wore - Dress and Necklace - Your Big Sister's Closet/Clutch - ASOS/Shoes - Macy's



After the reception, we went back upstairs to get ready for the evening event, the Curves for a Cure Celebrity Runway show. It was a really great night filled with gorgeous pink dresses all available to be bid upon in the silent auction benefiting breast cancer.



Ironically, I changed out of my pink dress into this fabulous blue dress also from Your Big Sister's Closet. Here I am on the "pink carpet" with the Face of Full Figured Fashion Week, Toy Monique

Dress, Belt, Clutch, and Necklace - Your Big Sister's Closet/Shoes - Enzo Angiolini

My roommate Gaelle from The Curvy and Curly Closet

Model Lizzie Miller

Lucille O'Neal - Shaq's mom!

Founder of FFFWeek, Gwen DeVoe

Curvy Girls star Rosie Mercado

Blogger Extraordinaire and my other NYC roomie, Marie Denee of The Curvy Fashionista

Madeleine Figuoera Jones of Plus Model Mag

It was a lovely night, but we were all so tired, and we ended up just getting some chicken and rice from a street vendor and heading to bed. So that's day two! Stay tuned for day three!!!