Fashion Designer Naomi McGregor

By: Farrah Estrella

Fashion Designer Naomi McGregor

Fashion Designer Naomi McGregor was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY before moving to Tampa in the early 1990's. She has lived and designed in Miami, Houston and North Carolina but she now calls Tampa home.

Born of Jamaican descent, Naomi grew up watching her mother and grandmother spend late nights sewing clothes for her and her five younger siblings. Being gifted with the sewing machine at the tender age of 11 ignited and confirmed her inspiration and passion for design.

The beautiful, tropical island of Jamaica and its bright airy fabrics in mind, inspired her to create her clothing company called NALI in 2001 which stands for “Not another like it”. NALI's inspirational roots will always stem from the strong and independent women of her family and culture as well as the women of today.

                                                             Nali by Naomi McGregor

Naomi attended Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida where she studied Psychology. Her passion for fashion and design landed her at International Academy of Design and Technology (IADT) to enhance her skills as a Designer.

Naomi used her background in psychology and creative experience in designing to meet the needs of her growing clientele. Her clients include TV hosts, radio personalities and world known WWE wrestlers to the everyday woman and man of every status.

She designs clothes to fit the personality of the individual and she likes to inspired people to bring out the beautiful, colorful characteristics of the inner self. Naomi believes that each person is an individual and unique beautiful design of their own.

NALI will launch her first clothing line in Tampa this coming June 2, 2012 at the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel in beautiful downtown Tampa.

For more information on Nali’s launch fashion show visit the following link:

http://www.examiner.com/article/nali-by-naomi-mcgregor-launch-fashion-show.

To purchase tickets to the event go to http://nalifashionlaunchparty.eventbrite.com/

Full Figure Fashion Week 2012 Designers

By Farrah Estrella and Ta'Nashea Mcleod

Attention Curvy Fashion Exchange Divas, Full Figure Fashion Week 2012 fever is in full swing.

Tickets to the events are selling out fast and at the rate that they are going, the event will be completely sold out in a few days.

Here is the list of the Designers that will be feature on the show:

-17 Sundays by Claire Primrose and Nikala Vagg
-Ashley Nell Tipton
-Chinoo Designs by Patricia Stewart
-Eyani Couture by Sakinah B.
-Eye Candy by SK Wilbur-Sorta Kinda Enterprise
-Jewel Shannon Designs by Jewel Shannon
-JIBRI by Jasmine Elder
-Jill Alexander Designs by Jill Alexander
-Lane Bryant
-Lavander’s Jungle by La Krisha Joseph-Baker
-Mandeep Litt by Mandeep Singh Litt
-Masaari by Love Voundi
-MYNT 1792 by Adorn Fashions
-Pretty Pear Bride
-Queen Grace Collection by Marina Zelner
-Rachel Pally White Label
-Savannah Red by Anslee Connell
-Sonsi
-Sorella Swim by Jessica Petersen
-Youtheary Khmer by Theary Sim

Let’s give our Plus Fashion Designers support and get your tickets today at www.fffweek.com.

See you in New York!!

Miss Tina by Tina Knowles Plus Line Collection

By: Farrah Estrella and Ta'Nashea Mcleod

Miss Tina Knowles

The Miss Tina collection avalaible at Walmart is designed for women of all ages. The line caters to women of all shapes and sizes ranging from 4-20. The collection is also affordable, all items of the collection are about $20 dollars and they are designed to compliment one another, saving women time and money while making it easy to shop.

Miss Tina Collection at Walmart

Did we mention that Miss Tina is the mother of Superstar Beyonce? Tell us what you think of the collection, do you own any pieces? Feel free to leave your comments below.

For more information viist http://www.misstina.com/ and http://www.walmart.com/.

MODELING AT ANY AGE ....MODELS APPRECIATION PARTY

 

 

FREE MODELS APPRECIATION PARTY and the Chance to win a magazine shoot!!!!!!!!

This Sat May 19 from 10 am to noon! Refreshments will be served!

Event includes a Free seminar on how to put together an attention getting portfolio, as well as some of the mistakes models make when putting their book together.
Models looking to build your portfolio there will be a drawing to win a Magazine Shoot!!!! 

 

Anyone interseted in modeling, please RSVP to: romartinezmodel@hotmail.com
 

For more information contact:

Angela Mann and Ro Martinez
Modeling At Any Age

727-410-0081 or 727-518-4977
13575 58th St. North, Suite 182
Clearwater, FL 33760 727-410-0081
www.modelingatanyage.net

WWW.SPATHOSE.COM

by Ta'Nashea McLeod & Farrah Estrella

Scott Durfee and George Medeiros are the creative team behind the innovative brand called Spathose. The transition from fine artists to fashion designers was as graceful and seamless as their unique accessory designs. Their work transcends the realm of ordinary style by forging fine art with fashion, thus conceiving more than an accessory; they have given rise to wearable sculpture. Working with sustainable, organic material infused with an industrial edge, these pieces truly unify their vision for a fashion forward approach to design. Only on the fashion scene for what seems a blink of an eye, they have already made their mark with national exposure and selling in exclusive boutiques from coast to coast.

Like nature itself, ever evolving, their wearable sculpture progress with every new deconstruction, devise, and design to create an innovative attitude that bonds fashion, art, and up-cycling.

Photo Courtesy of F LePiere Photography

"We create unique sculptures from palm spathe (flower pod). The creations are a combination of organic material juxtaposed with an industrial edge. The application of metal: screws, nails, and wire, fashion the pieces, generating their aesthetically distinctive expression, where form does indeed follow function. Containing elements of surprise and jeopardy, the abstract forms are individually created via a "conversation" with artist and medium. These abstract designs, produced from a meticulous method of preparing the "green" material, invoke figurative metaphors with different interpretations from each viewer. Our goal is to create an inner dialogue between art and observer, to stimulate an emotional response. If that reaction differs from our own intention, so be it. The sole objective is to create a channel for communication that inspires an individual to view art and the world with a different set of eyes. We have no hidden agenda, just social commentary, and the desire to awaken, arouse, and inspire people with our art.”

To learn more about Scott and George's incredible journey visit:
http://crowsneststpete.com/2012/03/21/local-artists-find-renewed-beauty-in-recycled-materials/

Wearable Sculpture Fashion Purses

Wearable Neck Sculpture

    

Fashion & Art

 

Photos Courtesy of Spathose

 For more information on how to make a purchase visit: http://www.spathose.com/

Also Curvy Divas these designers do not discriminate. I had the pleasure of working with them for a photo-spread in the Spring issue of VERTICALTampa Bay Magazine. Their views on size acceptance were refreshing.

Tune in this Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 10am Spathose will be the guests of Editor-in-Chief Leslie Joy Ickowitz, of VERTICAL Tampa Bay Magazine on Studio 10, CBS / 10 News-WTSP. To subscribe & view the full photo-spread visit: http://verticaltampabay.com/

Photo Credit: http://verticaltampabay.com/

Nali Launch Fashion Show 2012

By: Farrah Estrella and TaNashea Mcleod

Tampa Bay fashion designer Naomi McGregor will launch her new ready- to- wear line “Nali” (Not another like it) with a fashion show on June 2, 2012.

Inspired by the tropical island of Jamaica, Nali brings exquisite retro style with a vibrant Caribbean feel. The clean lines will conform to the feminine silhouette of the everyday fashionista.

The fashion show is going to take place at:

Location: Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel (Downtown Tampa)
                  111 w Fortune St.
                  Tampa, Florida 33602               

Date: Saturday June 2nd, 2012

Time: 7:00 pm

Tickets: $20 dollars

Tickets can be purchase at http://www.nalifashionlaunchparty.eventbrite.com/

For more information email Naliinternationaldesign@gmail.com

Visit her website at http://www.nali-design.com/

THE FORMAL SOURCE

by Ta'Nashea McLoed & Farrah Estrella

Attention!! Curvy Divas, it’s that time of the year. Most of us are receiving invites to weddings, proms, graduations, evening & fashion events. If you are anything like me it comes down to the age old question of what to wear and where to find it? The formal Source is a great solution to this question. Their gowns are available in sizes 14-32 for those of us that are more voluptuous.  

Photos Courtesy of Aurora Gowns

The Ladies of the Formal Source have adopted the belief that

“The Beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, The Figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from within her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty of a woman is reflected in her soul. It is in the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!”

                                                                Author, Maya Angelou

 For more information on how to make a purchase visit: http://www.auroragowns.com/

The Formal Source is Located at:

11940 Race Track Rd, Tampa, Florida 33626

Phone: 888-804-4040

Fax: 888-640-9944

"Paradise of Curves" Plus Size Fashion Show in Orlando

By: Farrah Estrella and Ta'Nashea Mcleod

Imdaparty.com and Fla'vore Productions present the first ever "Paradise of Curves" Plus Size Fashion Show in the city of Orlando, Florida.

The show will feature the "Fla'Vore Plus Model Troupe" , the "South City Band" and soul singer Cece Teneal.

Event Location:

The Orlando Sun Resort and Convention Center
6375 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy
Kissimee, Florida 34747

Date: Sunday May 20, 2012

Time: 6:00 PM

You can purchase tickets online at www.wanttickets.com/paradiseofcurves

For more information about the show including /tickets/VIP contact 321-332-5749 or 407-782-3253 email paradiseofcurves@gmail.com.

CURVY PICK OF THE DAY…. MAXI DRESSES FROM TORRID

Curvy girls are stepping out in Maxi dress! Whether you prefer a solid color, animal print, color block, or floral. Spaghetti strap, wide strap, strapless, halter, or surplice neckline these chic & comfy dresses look great on any shape.

Photos Courtesy of Torrid

 

If you like the looks visit : http://www.torrid.com/torrid/ to shop!