THECURVYCON POWERED BY DIA&CO

Hey Guys & Dolls! It's been quite the crazy New York Fashion Week. I was able to get myself into a few launch parties (more on that in another post), but nothing more amazing than once again getting to go TheCurvyCon! You all know every time I got I have got to talk about it! This year the venue changed because it's gotten so popular that more space was needed. All of the hard work that Co-Founders Cece Olisa & Chastity Garner Valentine paid off in multiple ways, from articles in the New York Times & VOGUE to streaming coverage on Yahoo, this event has really taken off!

While I am unable to talk about experiences at the top tier level for tickets (Platinum to be exact) because I still have yet to be able to afford that bracket I can speak on Glitter level status, what my experience was like as one and if I'd do it again or go for top tier next year. As a Glitter level ticket holder, the 3-day event was already dropped down to 2. A small price to pay to miss out on the Macy's party on day one. My experience began on Day 2 with a wonderful fitness session brought to you by Jessie Diaz,  of CURVES WITH MOVES & we learned some amazing dance moves from BEYONCE’S DANCERS, AMORE AND JORE MARSHALL!! I worked up a SWEAT! I loved it. Seeing all these amazing ladies loving their bodies and sweating to awesome music without a care in a judgment-free zone. WORTH IT.

After the work out the shopping areas were opened and I decided to walk around a bit and get a feel for it. Upon getting to the Macy's booth and talking to the amazing people there I was given the swag bag given to Platinum members the night before. Now. should I feel bad about this? No. I asked if it was ok that they were doing that and to be frank it felt as if they really were just trying to get rid of them. It was offered and was given the OK. So I grabbed one and went home. It's also good to note I got some swag from Target as they sponsored the fitness session. There was some awesome Joy Lab swag I went home with. 

After my shower, I returned a few hours later ready to take on more shopping, grab some discount codes, mingle with friends & make some new ones! I'd gone upstairs (this was a two-floor venue like in years past). After some networking, it was time for the LOFT Runway show! I loved everything I saw from beginning to end. I can't wait to shop the collection!

After the runway show, Dia&Co x CFDA had a panel featuring none other than Venus Williams! Holy cow! It was wonderful to hear here and everyone else on the panel talk about designers in fashion being inclusive and what it takes to really make that happen. 

All of this and it was just day one...

Day Two. The big show as I like to say! This day was all about the workshops, panels & of course MORE SHOPPING! I did decide to skip the first panel of the day because I wanted to sleep a bit more so I could last most of the day without getting wiped out early. I got there at 11 am and ran to the area where headshots were being taken. I had heard about it the day before and knew I wanted to do it. So I waited in that line and got it down.

I then went and waited on the line to get a "fashion" sketch done of myself which I will frame ASAP. Those two activities took up more time than I had wished but at Glitter level I wanted to get my money's worth. After making it into the Fruit of the Loom workshop I made it over to the main stage for:

"BODY POSITIVE BESTIES: SUPPORTING EACH OTHER IN OUR JOURNEY  WWE SUPERSTARS AND STARS OF E! TOTAL DIVAS:

• NIKKI BELLA

• NIA JAX

WE’RE ALL ON A JOURNEY TO LOVE OUR BODIES. HOW CAN FRIENDS SUPPORT EACH OTHER IN BODY POSITIVITY? HOW CAN WOMEN OF ALL SIZES BE ALLIES TO EACH OTHER? E! AND WWE SUPERSTARS NIA JAX, AND THE BELLA TWINS: BRIE BELLA AND NIKKI BELLA PARTICIPATE IN A CANDID CONVERSATION ON SUPPORTING YOUR FRIENDS AS THEY LEARN TO LOVE THEIR BODIES."

It was a fantastic panel, and it reminded me that I have some amazing friends who support and love me in every way. I stuck around for both Keynotes with Joy Nash and Academy Award nominee GABOUREY SIDIBE as well. She's amazing and quite funny! 

The Swag: There's been some controversy with the swag bag, immediately following theCurvyCon attendees did air out frustrations with the Glitter level swag bag, and I will only agree that the bag didn't equal the value of the ticket but there was value in being Glitter. I got to meet a lot of people and get this here blog out there some more. That alone is worth the price of admission. It's possible that because last year's bag was so good that this year would be the same. I think people forget that with a new venue and more speakers somethings gotta give. I will bet money that the bag was the unfortunate thing that fell by the wayside a bit. 

Still, the swag is not the only part of theCurvyCon, it's about building relationships, loving yourself and getting support. Next year if I can get a ticket at the right time with the right check I'll go platinum and really get to explore some things.

That about covers it for this year's TheCurvyCon! Did you go? How'd you like it?

Let me know in the comments below!