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Plus USA Woman '02...

Hello all of my full-figured sisters!

I just wanted to give you a quick update on an event that absolutely rocked the fashion industry! This March I was fortunate enough to get a personal invite to the Curve Style fashion show in New York. http://www.curve-style.com/ This show was the brainchild of Catherine Schuller, veteran in the Fashion and Full-figure industry, and former Fashion Retail Editor of MODE Magazine. This revolutionary show featured fall / winter 2002 ready-to-wear collections of designers with a whole new focus on the curvy woman! The first show was at 6:30 pm for the VIP's, Press and industry reps.

I was absolutely delighted to be ushered by the show coordinators right into the first row. I was even more delighted to see Ms. Michele Westin, (premier author and Curvy Goddess extraordinaire) sitting across the catwalk. The lights dimmed and the music thumped with the anticipation of the first models walk down the runway. My mouth dropped when the first model paused dramatically at the tip of the red carpet. Ladies, these full-figured divas were phenomenal!! Absolutely beautiful women, with absolutely beautiful clothes. I am not giving the designers any justice by merely calling these fashions beautiful. These clothes were an inspiration! Dynamic, chic, trendy....Real New York fashion for the full figured woman! Unbelievable stuff!!! Leathers, lace, legwarmers, glitter and GLAM! Go to the Curve Style website to see some of the fashions from the show. http://www.curve-style.com/ And keep your eyes open for newcomer designers Ericka Mays, Facelift, Molly Rouke and the ever-impressionable Villasanta. Ballots for best designer of the year were attached to the show program. Catherine asked that the audience cast their votes for their favorite designer. I am pleased to share that my new friend, and designer, Villasanta emailed me recently and announced that he won best designer of the year! Many Congratulations go out to Villasanta and his team!

After an exasperating show a cocktail party sponsored by Absolut Vodka, ensued. They served up delicious 'Curvy Cosmopolitans', and tangy, Apple Martini's. After meeting with Catherine backstage for some photo's and a well-deserved 'Congrats!', I made my way back to the runway area to get a second helping of this incredibly groundbreaking show at 9:30. This show was for all of my curvy sisters to attend! What a wild audience! The excitement of the crowd was infectious! Spurred by the audience, I found myself clapping and cheering on the models as they paraded down the catwalk. It was when the last model tossed the last bit of a feather boa my that the reality had begun to set in that the Curve Style show was a true preview into modern, sophisticated, hip-yet chic clothing tailored just for me and my curvy sisters! Finally, the $26 billion dollar Plus-size industry had shown me REAL FASHION, not elastic waistbands and baggy shirts! My cheers got louder as Catherine came back out to thank the audience for attending.

Sisters, I truly felt as if I was a part of fashion history on March the 6th. I cannot express how thrilled I was to witness what is on the horizon for the shapely woman! The Curve Style show was truly an exhilarating, and inspiring event that I will never forget. So keep your eyes peeled on Catherine and Curve Style. The next show may soon be in your neighborhood!

Monica Stouder
Plus USA Woman 2002