A Big Thank You to Devoe Signature Events

Elegant Plus would like to publicly thank Gwen Devoe and Devoe Signature Events for recognizing our Third Anniversary at the Dangerous Curves Fashion Show in New York City this past weekend. We were very surprised and gratified by the gesture.

The Dangerous Curves show was a fabulous event showcasing truly committed plus size designers and curvy models of all sizes, not just smaller plus sizes. It is a rare and uplifting sight to the plus community when the fashion community recognizes our beauty. Although based in New York City, Dangerous Curves is a traveling show, so be sure to keep a look out for it in a city near you! TheElegantPlus review of the New York show is coming soon so you can hear all the details.

Thank you!

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A New Plus Designer - Monif C

As many of you know, I’m headed to New York this weekend to see the always fabulous (and sold out) Dangerous Curves plus runway show. Gwen Devoe, the director and CEO of Devoe Signature Events, uses truly plus size models (including ANTM star, Toccara Jones) and the designers she chooses to work with are always worth the trip.

Which brings me to…. there’s a new contemporary plus designer coming in Fall 2005 called Monif C. I’m going to get a sneak peek at her Fall styles in New York on Sunday - and I’ll be sure to report. But before I can do that, you can get a look too! Her fashions will be featured on NBC’s Today Show during the 9am hour on Friday, June 24. Be sure to tune in if you can!

And see you at the Dangerous Curves show in New York.

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Inspirational Living: Living Compassionately
by Rev. ReBecca Ames Sala, Regular Contributing Author to Elegant Plus Magazine

American writer and Trappist monk Thomas Merton wrote that “compassion is the keen awareness of the interdependence of all things.” Living compassionately requires courage, strength and an awareness of this interdependence. It means opening your heart to those around you that you know and care about: family, friends and co-workers. It also means opening your heart to those you don’t know, people who help you find something in a store, strangers whose stories touch you in some small, but meaningful way. It can mean reaching across an ocean to extend sympathy to those who experience great tragedy or loss like the tsunamis in Asia, recent terrorist attacks in London, or those suffering loss and damages from Hurricane Dennis. While you may not know anyone personally who was involved, you can still feel compassion for what they are going through.  

As a chaplain, I see people in pain who are suffering: physically, emotionally and psychologically and I walk with them on their journey. They guide me as we navigate through some very difficult and painful terrain. That connection is the heart of true compassion. I am humbled as I watch patients reach out to others who are also suffering. It is in their recognition of shared suffering where the seeds of comfort and healing take root and grow.  

In order to reach out with an open heart, you must first look deep inside and be compassionate to yourself. That may be hard to do for some people. Society, family, that pesky inner critic can stop you from being compassionate to yourself. Comments like “what about me?” “I don’t have time” “you should be seeing to my needs” or “how I think or feel doesn’t matter” can fill your head and leave little room for yourself. If you are a helper, a person who has a caring heart, it is so difficult to direct that focus inward and give yourself an inner hug and a nice mental massage. Living compassionately means to open your heart to yourself as well, to love and care about yourself.  

How do you go about doing this? It isn’t easy to change patterns in your life so it is important to be intentional. Take time out for yourself everyday, a “compassion break” if you will. Look at every aspect of your life with a loving eye, accepting who and what you are. Write it all down and place it somewhere visible. Find out what feeds your soul and makes you want to get out of bed in the morning. This might change each day so keep a journal by your bed and write it down. These things can be simple, attainable everyday events or goals that you aspire to achieve. You may be surprised what you find out about yourself. Remember to live a balanced life with enough time for relationships, sleep, exercise and much needed laughter.  
Until next time…. 

Namaste (I honor the light within you) 

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Boho Style : where are the unique looks?
Musings from the Editor’s Chair, ElegantPlus.com

It probably doesn’t come as any great shock that I’ve been a fan of Boho fashions long before the latest wave hitting the streets. My tall frame looks great in long sweeping skirts. I can indulge in my love of interesting fabrics and jewelry. Fantastic embroidery embellishes cuffs and hems. Heaven!

Or not……

A recent trip to my local shopping mall left me cold. As I poked about (on a completely unrelated mission of locating a few Pucci-esque accessories), Boho was everywhere. Or was it? Where was the uniqueness of personal expression and one of a kind finds? Where was the joy of finding just the perfect bag at a flea market that no one else has that just says “you”? Where was the heft, quirkiness and individual quality of real ethnic jewelry? Instead I encountered racks of bags beaded and embroidered in exactly the same patterns - only in six different colors - so you and all your friends can have exactly the same one. Joy! I found chintzy, feather light necklaces made to look like turquoise, coral and bone - but clearly nothing more than cheap plastic even to the most untrained eye - stocked in every single trendy shop. Yuck.

Oh, I’ll probably take advantage of the trend to add a skirt or two to my wardrobe - while crinkly gypsy skirts are readily available in my size. Maybe even an embroidered top from a trendier shop. But I can assure you that what will make the outfits special will be items like the pair of Bedouin carnelian and sterling silver earrings that I bargained for in a market in Egypt or the lapis lazuli necklace I found in the shop of an artisan in Taos, New Mexico. Then again maybe it will be the hand embroidered bag I discovered at a crafts show or the less than perfect yellow sapphire cabachon ring I made myself when I was learning to smith. My treasures. My unique discoveries. The things I know no one else will have.

If I’m tempted to add to my collection of Boho treasures - I can assure you I will not be heading to the local mall or trend setting shop! I’ll check out museum stores, stop in at shops specializing in world crafts, take advantage of summer craft shows and maybe even bead something myself. I’ll be looking for pieces that tell stories, have histories and above all speak to me. Afterall, isn’t the essence of Boho style a sense of authentic hand crafted worldly uniqueness?

For current “Editor’s Picks” BoHo fashions in sizes 12 & up see:

• Artsy Fashion Picks
• Beaded and Embroidered Styles

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