Blazing Curves Is Sizzling in the Arizona Heat

 It's been a long time since I have visited the old Grand Avenue area around 7th Ave to 15th Ave. This area has developed into an artists haven. I see art galleries, coffee spots even a few tattoo shops. I think there's a small theater or two around there. The colorful artwork along Grand Ave is a nice touch to revitalizing the old Phoenix neighborhood.

I had the pleasure of attending the meet and greet for Kathy Blaze Jefferson's Blazing Curves. This event was held at the (9) The Gallery on Grand Avenue. Despite it being "blazing hot" outside the gallery, the spot had a pretty cool vibe inside. The front of the gallery hosts all sorts of events. In the back is a coffee and tea spot with a cute intimate lounging area. I was digging it. The gallery was starting to fill up and the Blazing Curves models were getting anxious to make that walk. 

I want to give Kathy Blaze Jefferson a big hand clap for representing women with curves. Once taboo is now celebrated. Curvy women have finally made it to limelight, yeah! Her company Blazing Curves has given plus-curvy-thick-sized women a platform to showcase their talent. As a curvy chick myself, I

Photo provided by Blazing Curves

 
completely understand the need to show that curves are not a curse but a way of life. Not everyone can have a straight sized figure. The beauty in all of us comes in an array of shapes and sizes and colors. This is what makes the fashion world beautifully eclectic. 




Whether your are plus size or straight size all women want to feel beautiful and comfortable in the skin their in. I believe Blazing Curves has done just that. Ohhhh and I'm happy to announce that Blazing Curves has added some blazing men to the lineup. That will make just a few of us happy (winkwink). Thanks to the innovations of today's fashion designers, gone are the days of polyester pull-ons and ballooning pull-overs for plus size women and men. People with curves have been given a plethora of choices in the fashion industry. Full-figure fashion has become prettier, sexier, flattering, stylish, and down right couture-ish. 

Kathy J, as I like to call her, had some informative speakers who shared their journey and gave us some invaluable information. Self-worth, health and beauty wellness are vital to anyone's success.

Dr. Brenda Combs

Dr. Brenda Combs has a story so empowering I get chills when I hear her speak. Surviving homelessness for 10 years on the hot streets of Phoenix, Dr. Combs was able to make a life-altering change in her life for the grace of good. One particular incident gave her the strength and courage to rise above her plight. No longer homeless to helping others. To read more on Dr. Combs endearing story please visit her page. Fascinating woman!

Jalia Pettis

Jalia Pettis founder of 3Jay Productions is a certified makeup artist entrepreneur whose passion for beauty makes her one of the busiest women I know. Jalia's education and knowledge has lead her to a career that spans from the west coast to the east coast. This hazel eyed queen brings a complete package when it comes to planning that special event. To get the full extent of 3jay Productions, please visit her website.

Ketonya Bankston

Model Ketonya Bankston founder of Style Stalkers is a motivating model, makeup artist and educator whose entrepreneurial skills have empowered women through her own struggles as an African American model trying to make it in the modeling world. Well, let's just say she has arrived. Ketonya stance is...stay true to yourself. I agree...be you boo-boo. She is a beautiful woman inside and out. Please visit her blog to learn more about this remarkable woman.

Katina Ramirez

BC model Katrina Ramirez performed an original song specifically for Blazing Curves. This talented young lady is full of surprises. I guess she can add songwriter to her list of accomplishments.

Katrina R and Kathy J

Blazing Curves has bridged a platform of confidence and self worth to bring another level of beauty to the curvy world. Kudos to you, Kathy Blaze Jefferson!







See you on the runway!

~Toy Taylor

Presented by www.chronicbehavior.com/     @chronicbehavior www.facebook.com/FilmFashionFutures.com

Thanks to the Chronic Behavior team and Kate Doster Photography for their excellent coverage of the event. They are the team helping to support and promote the brand. We appreciate you for your continued support.

Debuting the 2015 Phoenix Fashion Week's Emerging Designers and the Top 40 Models

Executive Director Brian Hill

Coverage Perspective Written by:  Toy Taylor


Finally, it is here! The day that many of us have been patiently anticipating...the debut of Phoenix Fashion Week's emerging designers and the new set of hotness with the top 40 models. Oh my, are they truly the land of the pretty people or what! When I got to the Livewire venue, I was like "Okay Mr. Hill. I see Phoenix Fashion Week is stepping it up a notch". This was my first time here and I loved the setup. I felt like the whole place was VIP seating.  The lounge seating upstairs was especially quite posh. Kudos to Livewire! 

The ambiance was all dimmed lighting and good tunes playing in the background.  The style villa was up and running. Woman's Touch Apparel founder Jenesis Laforcarde was there representing her brand and Custom Kreations AZ. Also in the style villa are the 2015 Accessory Designers TJ Jewelry Designs, Beltshazzar Jewels, and Maccimize. Ugh, why did I have to cruise through the villa! 

me and  model Tirion Harrison

Oh well, I love the new pieces I picked up. 
I had the opportunity to meet this young man Tirion Harrison at runway event. Can I just say he is just as cute as can be! He keeps me laughing, hence the photo. He brings such a good spirit with him inside and out. I suspect that Mr. Tirion has a  BRIGHT modeling future ahead of him. 


Aspiring model Eairauna Hinton had a few head-turning moments herself. This 5'10 beauty is striving to take her place in the world of  runway. Watching the Top 40 take the catwalk gave Miss Hinton the ambitious desire to flourish in the fashion world.

Last year's top 40 models Victoria Mohrman and LaMark Bell walked the runway for Hues of Ego and Medium Apparel. They both looked fierce...Oops I let it the surprise out! Yes, you heard it correct! There are 4 emerging designers returning to the runway this season. Hues of Ego, Medium Apparel, Charmosa Swimwear, and  the ever sweet Michelle Hebert.

This is excitingly crazy to see these emerging designers with their Phoenix Fashion Week experience compete with the new emerging designers. I expect the knowledge they already have will encourage the others into bumping up their game. This year's program proves to be quite interesting with new little twists thrown in the mix. All designers will go through the intense laborious boot camp training that will instill the necessary knowledge needed in branding and promoting their line. One of these lucky fashion designers will be named 2015 Designer of the Year. Yikes!

So here's a lineup of this year's emerging designers and their contact info to make it easier for you to follow them on this wondrous journey:

ARAE

@ARAEChicago

http://www.araearae.com/

AZMARA ASEFA
@azmaraasefa
http://www.azmaraasefainc.com/

Charmosa Swimwear
@CharmosaSwim
http://www.charmosaswimwear.com/

Cute Like Mad
@CuteLikeMad
http://cutelikemad.com/

Haute Body®

@HauteBody

http://www.haute-body.com/

Hues of Ego
@HuesofEgo 
http://www.huesofego.com/

Laura Tanzer

@LauraTanzer

http://lauratanzerdesigns.com/

Leola Sky
@shopleolasky
http://www.leolasky.com/

Leola Sky

@shopleolasky

http://www.leolasky.com/

                            Lousy Rich
                            @_LousyRich 
                    http://www.lousyrich.co/

Medium Apparel Co.
@mediumapparel 
http://www.mediumapparel.com/

                                                            
                                                                                         

                  Michelle Hebert

                @MHebertOfficial

http://www.michellehebert.com/

                                                                                                

 

Michi Knitwear
@michiwalden
http://www.michiknitwear.com/

Headshot Winners
Jesus and Shivi

The top 40 models were competing for best male and best female headshot winner. Over the next few months, the models will be going through their own set of challenges. This year's winners for best headshot are Jesus Rojas and Shivi Singh.

If any of these emerging designers have caught your eye please follow them on Facebook or Twitter. I'm sure they would appreciate it. With Arizona fashion steadily on the rise our Phoenix Fashion Week emerging designers and accessory designers deserve full community support. 

See you on the runway!

~ Toy Taylor

Presented by www.chronicbehavior.com / @chronicbehavior www.facebook.com/FilmFashionFutures.com

Thanks to the Chronic Behavior team for their excellent coverage of the event. They are the team helping to support and promote the brand. We appreciate you for your continued support.

More than just a Fashion Statement...It's a Movement - Phoenix Fashion Week

http://www.phoenixfashionweek.com/

Sometimes when you start a journey, even with a plan you often times don't know where you will end up.  What's even more extraordinary is that alignments and people are working behind the scenes that will support you and be there to provide guidance before you even realize you may need it.  That same group may be actually just waiting for you to show up and be ready to change the world by following your passion.  This is the best way from an artist perspective to describe what Phoenix Fashion Week has created and does.  From the moment certain key people came together, the vision of Phoenix Fashion Week appears to have been clear, even before the organization realized itself the power the platform it has created would have.  The tag lines of "Push Arizona, Fashion Forward" and "Bridging Designers & Buyers" make it perfectly clear where they see themselves in their daily mission and what they want to been seen as by the rest of the world.

Phoenix Fashion Week 2015 Launch Party was the perfect mix of style, fashion, and experience all brought together to announce the next group of Emerging Designers, Accessory Designers, and Top 40 Models.  All the participants going through the boot camp style program are enabled to see the opportunities beyond themselves and what possibilities exists with their brands.  They are taken from 0 to 100 in a four month intense program that challenges them at all levels to be better about business, branding, promotion, and production of their products.  What's more exciting is that Phoenix Fashion Week literally has "turnt up" the stakes on all sides of the house to make this one of the greatest seasons so far.  

Brian Hill, Executive Director
Phoenix Fashion Week

They announced changes to the program that really lit up the room on Thursday night including a reality show involvement with the program for the top 5 designers of this year's program, as well as the expansion of the winner circle for the emerging designers.  There will now be winners selected for every night of Phoenix Fashion Week, covering everything from Lifestyle, Evenings Gowns, to Couture.  The new facets being added have just raised the bar and the stakes for fashion in Arizona ten-fold.  While it is still common to hear from people that they didn't know that Arizona had fashion, the fashion world here can say with confidence that Arizona fashion has made the map.   International publications such as Time Magazine and Adweek just to name a few are calling out what Phoenix Fashion Week does and has placed them with the likes of NY Fashion Week, LA Fashion Week and others experiencing more notoriety.  

Emerging Designers 2015

At the event, the designers coming into the program had a chance to show a single design on runway that provides a flavor of what their collection is or will look like.  In addition, the designers were able to share some valuable insight at their press conference with media before the event actually began.  The Accessory Designers were also in the house with shoppable booths that showcased their products and were filled with items available for immediate sale.  These are specific types of exposure that are encouraged to help provide awareness to the brand as well as educate the audience on what their business direction is about and what their collections look like.

Livewire AZ

Now in addition to all the lovely fashions, models, and accessories, what attendees were able to experience was nothing short of what an actual Fashion Week night party might feel like.  The partnership with Livewire AZ - Concert Venue is just one example of how Phoenix Fashion Week works with local organizations to evolve events and provide access to venues often times locals may have never seen before.  

But of course the highlight for the night was the runway with the two shows which were presented by the emerging designers and the Top 40 models. We were excited to see some familiar faces returning to the designer line-up this year, including Michelle Hebert, Hues of Ego, Medium Apparel, and Charmosa Swimwear.  What they all bring is experience and confidence that will drive this year's season to the next level.  Each designer has something unique to offer and with that kind of spunk they will keep you wanting more.  

Check out the following designs, models, and accessory designers and see who your favorites are.  We have ours, however, we applaud each and every designer, accessory designer, and model part of the program.  The following photos represent the first taste of what this fashion season has in store for the die-hard fashion fans of Arizona.

ARAE
@ARAEChicago
http://www.araearae.com/

ARAE
@ARAEChicago
http://www.araearae.com/

AZMARA ASEFA
@azmaraasefa
http://www.azmaraasefainc.com/

AZMARA ASEFA
@azmaraasefa
http://www.azmaraasefainc.com/

Charmosa Swimwear
@CharmosaSwim
http://www.charmosaswimwear.com/

Charmosa Swimwear
@CharmosaSwim 
http://www.charmosaswimwear.com/

Charmosa Swimwear
@CharmosaSwim 
http://www.charmosaswimwear.com/

Cute Like Mad
@CuteLikeMad
http://cutelikemad.com/

Cute Like Mad
@CuteLikeMad
http://cutelikemad.com/

Haute Body®
@HauteBody
http://www.haute-body.com/

Haute Body®
@HauteBody
http://www.haute-body.com/

Hues of Ego
@HuesofEgo 
http://www.huesofego.com/

Hues of Ego
@HuesofEgo 
http://www.huesofego.com/

Laura Tanzer
@LauraTanzer
http://lauratanzerdesigns.com/

Laura Tanzer
@LauraTanzer 
http://lauratanzerdesigns.com/

Leola Sky
@shopleolasky
http://www.leolasky.com/

Lily V. Designs
@scalf_lily 
http://www.lilyvdesigns.com/

Lily V. Designs
@scalf_lily 
http://www.lilyvdesigns.com/

Lousy Rich
@_LousyRich 
http://www.lousyrich.co/

Medium Apparel Co.
@mediumapparel 
http://www.mediumapparel.com/

Medium Apparel Co.
@mediumapparel 
http://www.mediumapparel.com/

Michelle Hebert
@MHebertOfficial
http://www.michellehebert.com/

Michelle Hebert
@MHebertOfficial
http://www.michellehebert.com/

Michi Knitwear
@michiwalden
http://www.michiknitwear.com/

Michi Knitwear
@michiwalden
http://www.michiknitwear.com/

Michi Knitwear
@michiwalden
http://www.michiknitwear.com/

#ModeloftheYear #PHXFashionWeek
Headshot Winners - front and center
Jesus Rojas - Headshot Challenge Winner
Shivi Singh - Headshot Challenge Winner

Accessory Designers

TJ Jewelry Designs
@TJJewelryDesign
http://www.tjjewelrydesigns.com/

TJ Jewelry Designs
@TJJewelryDesign
http://www.tjjewelrydesigns.com/

Beltshazzar Jewels
@BeltshazzarJwls
http://www.beltshazzarjewels.com/

maccimize

@Maccimize

http://www.maccimize.com/

 Presented by www.chronicbehavior.com/@chronicbehavior and www.facebook.com/FilmFashionFutures.com

We appreciate you for your continued support.

Designer photos provided by Kate Doster Photography are copyrighted and permission is required to obtain, use, or copy.